Sarasota | Sammy thrashLife

The 10th Annual Stop the Violence Cookout

May 29, 2025

The Stop the Violence Cookout was initiated in response to the unfortunate incidents of gun violence that affected Sarasota and Manatee counties in late 2015 and early 2016. Since then, our community has united to organize this inclusive event, aiming to reconnect neighbors, friends, small businesses, and local organizations with the shared goal of ending violence in our communities.
This year, we are excited to showcase a vibrant event with 30 vendor booths, outdoor entertainment, complimentary food and drinks, delightful treats, engaging activities, giveaways, community awards, and blood donation opportunities with the Suncoast Blood Center.
The impact of this event has garnered significant recognition, with former Sarasota Mayor Willie Shaw designating a day in its honor as “Stop the Violence Day” since its inception in 2016. Every year the sitting commissioners present a Proclamation officially naming the second Sunday in June as Stop the Violence Day in Sarasota City.

Opening reception for Rooted and Radical: The Art of Queer and Trans Resilience

April 30, 2025

The Fabulous Arts Foundation Presents: Rooted & Radical: The Art of Queer & Trans Resilience, an exhibition celebrating strength, heritage, and the transformative power of creative expression.

“Rooted & Radical” explores the deep connections queer and trans individuals have to their communities, cultural legacies, and personal journeys. Artworks should reflect themes of resilience, self-discovery, resistance, healing, and radical self-expression.

Join Us in Showcasing the Power of Queer & Trans Art

This exhibition is more than a showcase—it’s a statement of resilience, a reclamation of space, and a celebration of creative defiance.

If you’re wondering, “WHY IS SAM IN A SHOW FOR QUEER AND TRANS ARTISTS? Is Sam queer or trans?” Well, I’m definitely not trans and have never identified as queer. All my relationships have been heterosexual (Of Pride events I’ve done, I’ve joked that I’m “putting the plus in LGBT+”). That said, I really fucking dislike the word “man.” Traditional masculinity isn’t anything I identify with. (I delight at being called a “FAGGOT”). I’m not especially fond of the word “woman” either though and certainly identify with that even less. I don’t think it makes sense to call me gender fluid either. I’ve used he/him pronouns since I was born and have no problem with ’em. Ultimately, gender doesn’t mean anything to me. It’s just not a useful concept in my life or for my identity. I realize that it is helpful or empowering for some other people; just not for me.

And all of that ties into the central point of the piece that I’ve got in this exhibition. So go check it out.

(Regarding all of the above, if anyone thinks those beliefs and attitudes do indeed put me in the category of “queer artists,” that’s fine with me. It’s just not a label I would personally claim because it doesn’t resonate with me, and so claiming it would make me feel like an impostor trying to capitalize on someone else’s movement. But I will HAPPILY EXHIBIT with anyone (that’s doing anything positive) that’ll have me).

Tickets for the opening reception are free but (I believe) limited. You can get them here.

The exhibition runs for two months. This listing is just for the opening reception. Details for the rest of its run are here.

Rooted and Radical: The Art of Queer and Trans Resilience

The Fabulous Arts Foundation Presents: Rooted & Radical: The Art of Queer & Trans Resilience, an exhibition celebrating strength, heritage, and the transformative power of creative expression.

“Rooted & Radical” explores the deep connections queer and trans individuals have to their communities, cultural legacies, and personal journeys. Artworks should reflect themes of resilience, self-discovery, resistance, healing, and radical self-expression.

Join Us in Showcasing the Power of Queer & Trans Art

This exhibition is more than a showcase—it’s a statement of resilience, a reclamation of space, and a celebration of creative defiance.

If you’re wondering, “WHY IS SAM IN A SHOW FOR QUEER AND TRANS ARTISTS? Is Sam queer or trans?” Well, I’m definitely not trans, have never identified as queer, and all my relationships have been heterosexual (Of Pride events I’ve done, I’ve joked that I’m “putting the plus in LGBT+”). That said, I really fucking dislike the word “man” and traditional masculinity isn’t anything I identify with. (I delight at being called a “FAGGOT”). I’m not especially fond of the word “woman” either though and certainly don’t identify with that at all. Seeing as I’ve used he/him pronouns since I was born, have no problem with that, and I think can pretty safely be described as “presenting male,” I don’t think it makes any sense to call me gender fluid (or anything like that) either. Ultimately, gender doesn’t mean anything to me. It’s just not a useful concept in my life or for my identity. I realize that it is helpful or empowering for some other people; just not for me.

And all of that ties into the central point of the largest painting I’ve got in this exhibition. So go check it out.

(Regarding all of the above, if anyone thinks those beliefs and attitudes do indeed put me in the category of “queer artists,” that’s fine with me. It’s just not a label I would personally claim because it doesn’t resonate with me, and so claiming it would make me feel like an impostor trying to capitalize on someone else’s movement. But I will HAPPILY EXHIBIT with anyone (that’s doing anything positive) that’ll have me).

The Fabulous Arts Foundation Center (will soon but) does not (at this moment) have regular business hours. Please contact or email them before showing up if you’re not comfortable just showing up and taking your chances on whether or not they’ll be open.

Be Fabulous Music & Arts Pride Fest

April 25, 2025

Opening reception for “Art from the Heart: Connectivity”

April 2, 2025

The Ringling presents: “Art from the Heart: Connectivity” – a celebration of the extraordinary creativity, remarkable talent, and resilience of neurodivergent artists as they navigate their unique challenges through self-expression. This exhibition highlights the transformative power of art as a medium for storytelling, healing, and connection. Each piece is a testament to the artist’s voice and vision, inviting viewers to engage with diverse perspectives.

In partnership with Streets of Paradise, an organization dedicated to combating homelessness with dignity and grace, this exhibit emphasizes our collective commitment to inclusivity and empowerment. By fostering connections through creativity, we celebrate not only individual artistry but also the bonds that unite us. In a world where connection can often be overlooked, this exhibition serves as a reminder of the strength found in shared experiences and the beauty that emerges when we embrace each other’s journeys. Together, we can create a tapestry of understanding and compassion through art.

The museum’s located at 5401 Bayshore Rd but the grounds are pretty huge so let me give you some more SPECIFIC directions. Both the exhibit and the opening reception are in the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Center for Asian Art (which is the big building with the emerald green facade). The exhibit is in the gallery on the ground floor. The reception is in the Chao Lecture Hall, which is up on the third floor. The reception will be CATERED and runs from 5:30 to 7:30pm. After that, the exhibit will run every day from 10am to 5pm.

Here’s a MAP that I made JUST FOR YOU:

Art from the Heart: Connectivity

The Ringling presents: “Art from the Heart: Connectivity” – a celebration of the extraordinary creativity, remarkable talent, and resilience of neurodivergent artists as they navigate their unique challenges through self-expression. This exhibition highlights the transformative power of art as a medium for storytelling, healing, and connection. Each piece is a testament to the artist’s voice and vision, inviting viewers to engage with diverse perspectives.

In partnership with Streets of Paradise, an organization dedicated to combating homelessness with dignity and grace, this exhibit emphasizes our collective commitment to inclusivity and empowerment. By fostering connections through creativity, we celebrate not only individual artistry but also the bonds that unite us. In a world where connection can often be overlooked, this exhibition serves as a reminder of the strength found in shared experiences and the beauty that emerges when we embrace each other’s journeys. Together, we can create a tapestry of understanding and compassion through art.

The museum’s located at 5401 Bayshore Rd but the grounds are pretty huge so I made this map JUST FOR YOU to help you find your way.

I’ll update this if I find out otherwise, but here’s my current understanding. Admission to the museum is a little PRICEY but admission to the gardens is only $5. And that’s all you need to see this exhibit as the gallery hosting this exhibit is open to anyone/everyone on the grounds. Or you can just go on a Monday when it’s free. (Every Monday, the entirety of the museum is free to the public). It’s also free (always) to anyone with a SNAP, WIC, or other EBT card.

Museum hours are 10am to 5pm Friday through Wednesday. On Thursday, they stay open until 8pm.

Hurricane Milton < Hurricane Juliana

October 10, 2024

After packing my entire life into my car, stashing it on the fifth floor of a parking garage, and preparing to go to my grandparents’ ALF to wait out the hurricane (‘cause the building is “hurricane-proof” and has generators), my ex got around my many blocks (phone, email, social media) and begged me to give her ONE MORE CHANCE. And I brilliantly allowed her to come with me. It was fine (even GREAT) for that first night and then – the day of the hurricane – it became clear that nothing had changed and I was trapped in there with her.

It was torturous. To love someone so much, know it won’t work out, and then be stuck someplace together. And she just doesn’t get it. She still thought we were going to sleep together that second night, cuddled up, spooning on the couch. (There was no bed in the room we stayed in). I don’t know if she’s a sociopath or just has the emotional intelligence of a five year-old but I also know it DOESN’T REFLECT ESPECIALLY WELL ON ME that I was ever in love with this person or thought I wanted a life with her. I know I say this all the time but “we are attracted (and attractive) to people with similar levels of emotional health/maturity.” I would like to believe that my reluctance/refusal to engage with this anymore means that I’m getting better.

Anyway, it turned out that even though the hurricane made its initial landfall RIGHT HERE IN SARASOTA (less than a mile from my place), everything was alright. And nothing happened to my car. So I spent all day putting my life/home back together (just finished this minute) and I can LICK MY EMOTIONAL WOUNDS from the comfort of my home.

Things could have been worse. I need to remember to be grateful for what I’ve got. Friends (that helped me unload my car and then FED ME PIZZA), a home that I like, people all over that care about me, I’m clean, back to making art, and I don’t need to rebuild my life from scratch simply because of a natural disaster/GOD HATES ME. (Or maybe he doesn’t, seeing as how it worked out). But he PROBABLY does.

This was originally written simply as the caption for a TIKTOK VIDEO (I wonder if those words will ever not sound ridiculous to me?) because I’m currently operating under the belief that TikTok is my best shot at marketing myself/rebuilding my career, especially as long as I’m still just living in Sarasota. Here are the photos from the post for anyone that doesn’t wanna use that app.