Arts Advocates Sets October Lineup With AI-Inspired Art, Sarasota Arts Leaders and Van Wezel Backstage Tour

Arts Advocates is bringing together visual art, performing arts leadership and a behind-the-scenes look at one of Sarasota’s best-known venues with a full schedule of October 2026 events. The month will feature a new gallery exhibition exploring artificial intelligence and digital art, a luncheon discussion with leaders from several of the region’s major performing arts organizations, and a guided tour that takes visitors from the Florida artwork displayed inside the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall to areas normally seen only by performers and production crews. The schedule and dates in the organization’s announcement are confirmed on the official Arts Advocates event calendar. “WHY AI?” Explores Art, Technology and Creativity The month begins with “WHY AI? The Digital Paintings of Elisabeth Trostli,” running October 3 through October 31 at the Arts Advocates Gallery inside The Crossings at Siesta Key, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. The exhibition will be open Saturdays from 2 to 4