A Day Retreat at Art Avenue with Khenpo Tenkyong

This month, we’re getting ready to welcome a very special guest, Khenpo Tenkyong, to Art Avenue on Sunday, November 8, for a Language of Love Day Retreat in partnership with Sarasota Meditation Art Gallery, Behavioral Teaching Solutions, and Conductive Connections.

Khenpo Tenkyong is a Buddhist resident teacher and President of the Karma Triyana Dharmachakra temple in Woodstock, New York. He has spent decades studying and teaching Buddhist philosophy and meditation, and is known for weaving traditional teachings into modern conversation.

For our Language of Love retreat, Khenpo will share Buddhist teachings on love and lead us through an interactive, inclusive mindfulness and meditation experience.

Join us in learning how Buddhist teachings and meditation can help you see love from a different perspective.

More Buddy News!

We’re also excited to share the latest news on Buddy, the new horror-comedy produced by Drew Sykes, son of Art Avenue gallery owner Paul Sykes.

Following its exceptional premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, Buddy made its theatrical debut this summer and has continued to build impressive momentum at the box office.

The film opened to more than $5.4 million domestically and expanded to more than 1,700 theaters during its second week. It has surpassed $26.5 million in domestic box-office earnings—an impressive milestone for the independent horror-comedy. We are proud to learn that Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions has picked up all international rights to Sundance horror hit Buddy.

We are thrilled to celebrate Drew's work behind the scenes and Buddy's continued success—and especially its connection to our Sarasota Art Avenue community.

Congratulations to Drew and the entire Buddy team on a remarkable theatrical run and continued success!

Behind the Scenes of Buddy! 🎬

Listen to Drew Sykes discuss the making of the film, his role as producer, and the journey from Sundance to the big screen in this featured podcast episode.

About The Gallery

Welcome to Art Avenue, Sarasota's premier international art gallery representing eclectic artworks by 20th-century masters, contemporary legends, and local talent alike.

Currently exhibiting:

Salvador Dalí

Natasha Turovsky

Yarek Godfrey

Peter Max

Romero Britto

Li Volk

Jack Dowd

Joe Palmerio

Vicki Chelf

Megan Howell

Victoria Arendt

Zenith

Kaileia Suvannamaccha

Olivia Curren

Bonnie Keane

Ambrus "Andy" Diossy

Patricia Song

Anna "Lumera" Brunelli

Pablo Picasso

& more

We also host special events at both gallery locations:

Artist Openings & Exhibitions

First Friday Art Auctions

Birthday Parties

Classical Music Concerts

Dance Classes

Fundraisers

Inclusivity & Neurodiversity-Affirming Events

Meditations

Poetry Readings

Paint Bar Classes

Wine Tastings

Interested in hosting an event in our space?

Contact Paul Sykes at 440-227-4592.

Can't make it to the gallery?

We'll bring the ART TO YOU!

For 30+ years, Art Avenue's Art To You service has allowed people to experience what a piece looks like on the wall of their home or business, so they can purchase with confidence. From selecting the artwork to framing and hanging it for you, we make the art-buying process personal, convenient, and fun.

This month, we're excited to spotlight two local artists we proudly represent at Art Avenue: Anna "Lumera" Brunelli and Ambrus "Andy" Diossi.

Lumera and her paintings on display at Art Avenue.

Anna "Lumera" Brunelli is a Romanian-Italian-American multidisciplinary artist and educator whose work explores transformation, healing, rebirth, freedom, love, light, and the relationship between our inner and outer worlds.

Born in Ieud, Maramureș, Romania, Lumera moved to Italy at fifteen and later studied Educational Sciences at the University of Bologna. Her artistic journey began in 2016, when painting became a new language through which she could explore and express experiences that words could not always capture.

Over time, she developed an experiential approach called Art for Inner Clarity, bringing together intuitive painting, color, reflection, and dialogue as pathways toward self-discovery.

In 2026, Lumera began a new chapter in Sarasota, bringing together her background as an educator and artist with a growing vision of art as a space for connection, transformation, and inner clarity.

Her current presentation at Art Avenue features five acrylic paintings and two mixed-media sculptures, presented as seven interconnected moments in an inner journey.

Andy and his art on exhibit at Art Ovation Hotel.

Ambrus "Andy" Diossi is a classically trained artist whose work bridges classical realism and surrealism through symbolic and allegorical imagery.

Ambrus’s relationship with Sarasota began at an early age. His family moved to the area when he was four, and he credits his childhood here as one of the greatest influences on the development of his artistic voice. Regular visits to the Ringling Museum’s collection, combined with the expansive skies and landscapes of the Gulf and Sarasota Bay, helped lay the foundation for a lifelong pursuit of art and storytelling.

A graduate of The Angel Academy of Art in Florence, Italy, Ambrus employs classical realist techniques alongside symbolic imagery to create a distinct visual language.

His work can be found in private collections throughout the United States and overseas. He has also worked as a designer for some of the most highly regarded absinthe distillers, creating artwork for their labels.

Today, Ambrus continues to experiment and evolve as a painter—while also coming full circle, exhibiting his work in the very place that first inspired him to become an artist: Sarasota, Florida.

As always, we strongly encourage you to come experience the artwork in person!

Paint Bar Sessions Available

For artists of all ages & levels of experience

All materials included

$59/person

Call 440-227-4592

Meet Our Instructors

Zen alongside her latest 'Work In Progress.'

Zenith is an expressionist painter and a BFA graduate from Sarasota's Ringling College of Art and Design.

She loves to paint to music, translating her emotions while keeping her focus on having her brush and pen move freely. She believes painting is as much about what is removed as what is added.

Reflected in her artwork as well as her teaching, she emphasizes the importance of finding balance between light and shadow.

Victoria painting in a Montenegrin 13th-century church.

Victoria paints the darker, stranger corners of everyday life. Her art is moody and atmospheric, but never takes itself too seriously. Through dark palettes, quirky characters, and unexpected humor, she blends the beautiful and the bizarre.

As an art teacher, she loves to create spaces where curiosity, experimentation, and individuality can thrive. She encourages her students to take risks and express themselves with confidence.

Summer painting a portrait of a beloved dog.

Summer majored in Fine Arts at Ringling College of Art and Design before transferring to Miano Academy of Art, where she completed a four-year apprenticeship program, specializing in realist drawing and painting.

She captures the personality and spirit of beloved pets through delicate detail and sensitivity and brings that same thoughtful approach to teaching, encouraging students to find their own artistic voice and paint what they love. 

A Neurodiversity-Affirming Business in Sarasota, Florida

Art Avenue is proud to partner with Behavior Teaching Solutions and Conductive Connections under the leadership of Belle Stikeleather.

Sensory-friendly and neurodiversity-affirming programs such as Language of Love take place at both gallery locations. These collaborative events explore how art, music, conversation, and behavioral science can help facilitate more opportunities for belonging, well-being, and meaningful connection.

Conductive Connections is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) building inclusive opportunities and stronger connections across people, organizations, and the places where we live, learn, work, and create. To make a tax-deductible donation, please click here.

For those who may not already know, gallery owner Paul's son, Alex, is autistic. Together, the endearing father-son duo can be found sight-reading their classical favorites on the violin and piano, from Beethoven to Schubert, at various Behavioral Teaching Solutions and Conductive Connections events.

Art Collector Appreciation

Jim Johnston has been part of the Art Avenue family, both as a long-time art collector of Yarek Godfrey and Natasha Turovsky's work and as a dear personal friend of Paul's.

In addition to working as an ophthalmologist, Jim is a poet who writes lyrics to songs that can be found on Spotify, YouTube, and other music platforms.

We are happy to support his latest creative project by sharing it with you.

To learn more, be sure to scan the QR code at the end of the music video below.

Visit Us


Downtown Sarasota

1367 Main Street,

Sarasota, FL 34236

Siesta Key Mall

3501 S Tamiami Trail

Sarasota, FL 34239

We look forward to seeing you!

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This newsletter was crafted by

The Princess Poetess

The Princess Poetess, Kaileia Suvannamaccha, is a published author of two poetry books, a contributing writer for Sarasota SCENE Magazine, and the newsletter curator for Art Avenue galleries.

As a founding member of the Stardust Goddess Alliance, she hosts a free open mic poetry night on Wednesdays at Salt Your Soul, Gift Co., from 6-8 p.m.

The Ringling College BFA graduate and certified therapeutic art and writing coach also offers pop-up group workshops and 1:1 coaching services.

Visit HeartfulEvolution.com to learn more.