$200,000 awarded by Woman's Exchange

One hundred seventy volunteers and staff at Woman's Exchange have worked long and hard for a year to gather the impressive sum of $200,000 for their grant and scholarship program. In spite of the current economic situation, the amount awarded in 2011 surpassed that given in 2010 by an amazing $50,000.

In a ceremony held at the Sarasota Opera House, this $200,000 was dispersed in a series of 20 grants and 40 scholarships. The grants were given to local art organizations, while the scholarships were awarded to students pursuing a career in the arts.

Keynote speaker Bruce Rogers, did a riff on the word "exchange." He pointed out that Woman's Exchange generates money from OPS - Other People's Stuff. People donate or consign their "stuff," which the organization then "exchanges"with shoppers for cash -money that is used to support their grant and scholarship program.

To quote Rogers: "You can exchange your teapot for cash, or you can exchange your couch for a tax deduction. The jewelry given by your ex-husband (the creep!) goes to support the Sarasota Ballet. It is an exchange that makes magic."

Since its inception in 1962, the Woman's Exchange has created more than $7million by this exchange of Other People's Stuff. The $7 million has come back into our community through local grants and scholarships.

Both individuals and organizations participate in this consignment operation. Now in its 49th year, the Woman's Exchange has also consistently donated items of furniture and clothing to other non-profit organizations, thus assisting them in their charitable endeavors.

The 49th Annual Presentation of Awards showcased three special performances: Ansley Hendrix, violinist; Samantha Gillen, vocalist; and that toe-tapping group called Jazz Juvenocracy, who played samples of songs from their upcoming European Tour. Sue Sweeney, president of the board of directors, introduced Karen Koblenz, the new executive director and CEO of the Woman's Exchange.

As Master of Ceremony, Peter Salefsky kept the awards presentation moving, while Koblenz and Jim Goldman presented 60 grants and scholarships.

Grants were awarded to:

Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota, Asolo Theatre, Banyan Theater Company, Booker Visual School and Performing Arts Magnet, Florida Studio Theatre, Jazz Juvenocracy, Key Chorale, La Musica di Asolo, Manatee Players Inc., North Port Area Art Center, Perlman Music Program/Suncoast Inc., Ringling School of Art and Design DBA Ringling College of Art, Sarasota Film Festival Inc., Sarasota Opera Association Inc., Sarasota Orchestra, Sarasota Season of Sculpture Inc., The Players Inc., Van Wezel Foundation Inc., West Coast Civic Ballet, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

Scholarships were awarded to:

College students: Ashleigh Adamec, Claire Albiez, Kiley Arbo, Kristen Bernier, Adelaide Boedecker, Amberose Courville, Mika Fulkerson, Samantha Gillen, Lillian Gottwald, Gabi Guinta, Samantha Hibert, Kirk Hughes, Alyssa Hunek, Evan Lovejoy, Meghan Manahan, Emily Miller, Greg Murphy, Karissa Ratzenboeck, Jasmine Redding, Nicole Riccardo, Max Weinstein

High school graduates: Asia Akhmetova, Devon Bedgio, Jeliena Courville, Kimberly Curhan, Ansley Hendrix, Alexander Hernandez, Kathryn Huxtable, Michelle Jasin, Dillon Koehn, Aaron Lapin, Ryan Lebar, Cassandra Lima, Ret Locke, Oscar Naranjo, Shelby Price, Christopher Rees, Jonathan Sams, Makenzie Vaughan and Emily Wells

Woman's Exchange is located at 539 S. Orange Ave. (955-7859).