Schenkel Shultz Announces Grand Opening of Booker Visual and Performing Arts Center in Sarasota

Orlando, FL – December 4, 2024 – Schenkel Shultz, a Florida-based architecture and design studio, proudly announces the completion and grand opening of the Booker Visual and Performing Arts Center in Sarasota, Florida. Situated at 3201 North Orange Avenue, this $23.6 million project breathes new life into the theater, while honoring its rich heritage.

The Visual and Performing Arts program at Booker High School has garnered national acclaim, solidifying its reputation as a premier theater. The renovation preserves the character of the school’s illustrious history and reflects the drive of Emma Booker, the Center’s namesake and pioneering educator.

“We are thrilled to unveil the transformation of the Booker Visual and Performing Arts Center,” said Ekta Desai, AIA, Design Lead/Partner at Schenkel Shultz. “Our design aims to create spaces that offer comfort, improved sightlines and acoustical enhancements to improve the overall theatre experience for the audience.”

At the heart of the renovation is a modern community theater with increased capacity, a new blackbox theatre, additional educational spaces, rehearsal space and dressing rooms.

An expanded public lobby will provide flexibility as a pre-function gathering area, event space and gallery to showcase student artwork. Borrowing from the performative qualities of a gemstone, the lobby’s transparent, two-story faceted curtainwall highlights the original shape.

“With enhancements that include a versatile lobby expansion, refined finishes, premium box seating and improved accessibility, we aim to attract a diverse range of student artists and community members, establishing the Booker Visual and Performing Arts Center as a signature hub for cultural exchange in Sarasota,” added Desai.

The debut of the Booker Visual and Performing Arts Center is a pivotal moment for Sarasota’s arts landscape, reaffirming its status as a cultural epicenter in the region. The center will serve as a vital resource for students, educators, artists and community members to foster collaboration, creativity and lifelong learning.

About Schenkel Shultz Architecture

As a member of the Central Florida community for 40 years and headquartered in Downtown Orlando, Schenkel Shultz is committed to inspiring the community through impactful design. The architecture and interior design firm has built a legacy of success through a continued focus on design excellence that responds to the distinct needs of each client. Rooted in critical thinking, research, collaboration, and personal experiences, the firm is passionate about design and creating meaningful community partnerships.