Festival celebrates young Sarasota artists

The future of the arts in Sarasota looks bright, and you can get a good look at that future on Saturday.

The "new and improved" InspireSarasota! Festival will showcase some of the best student artists from the area. The emphasis is on performing arts -- from theater and ballet to jazz and classical music, and everything in between -- but young visual and literary artists will be on hand too.

There's no shortage of student artists in the area. The full-day festival, runs from 9:15 a.m. until late afternoon at several venues.

It all takes place around Selby Public Library and Five Points Park. It's organized by the The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, an arts advocacy group that, among other things, promotes art education in Sarasota County.

The InspireSarasota! website says that some 10,000 families are expected to attend the event, which will mean most of the young artists will be performing to the largest audiences of their lives.

Besides all the student artists, InspireSarasota! will feature performances by Grammy-winning storyteller, musician and author Bill Harley at 11:30 a.m. on the main stage and at 2 p.m. in Selby Library's Geldbart Auditorium.

Details: 9:15 a.m.-4 p.m. May 2, Selby Public Library and Five Points Park, 1331 First St., Sarasota. Tickets: Free. Information: inspiresarasota.net.

-- Marty Clear

This story was originally published April 30, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Festival celebrates young Sarasota artists ."