The Women's Resource Center of Sarasota County Hosts Tribute to Rona Glasser

The Women’s Resource Center of Sarasota County, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating and empowering women in Sarasota County and enriching their lives, and the Glasser-Saucier family are holding a memorial exhibition for Rona Lee Glasser (5/30/1948 – 7/2/2014), an educator, activist and artist from August 19 – September 30.

Glasser’s “To Be Free” show, displayed at the WRCSC’s Sarasota location at 340 S. Tuttle Ave., celebrates her illustrious and prolific career. A reception, open to the public, is being held on Tuesday, August 19 from 5 – 7 p.m. at the WRCSC’s Sarasota office.

“Rona Glasser led a full life and leaves behind a strong legacy in her artwork,” said Valerie Goddard, executive director of the Women’s Resource Center of Sarasota County. “The idea and spirit behind the art exhibit are Rona’s son Ben and husband John. They seek to honor her memory by supporting a cause that was near and dear to her heart.”

Glasser was the daughter of Betty Ann Lifson, an ardent supporter and founding contributor of the WRCSC. Born in Brookline, Mass., Glasser spent the last 13 years teaching a variety of humanities subjects, including art, art history, English and linguistics, at Sarasota High School. Prior to that, she taught over 10 years at Booker High School, where she began teaching art and art history at Booker High School’s Visual and Performing Arts program in 1988.

“Rona’s first show was at the WRCSC, and we are proud to display this legacy during her final show, where some pieces will be available for purchase to benefit the WRCSC and Mrs. Glasser’s surviving family,” said Goddard.

After obtaining her master’s degree in fine arts, Glasser traveled extensively, including a yearlong stint in London, before settling in Florida. Her first Sarasota show took place in 1986 at the WRCSC. Glasser would exhibit again at the WRCSC in 1987 in a group show titled “Reflections of Our Time.”

About the Women’s Resource Center of Sarasota County
For over 30 years, the countywide not-for-profit agency has provided women with life skills training, career services and scholarships to achieve their highest potential. For more information, visit www.TheWomensResourceCenter.org.

About Rona Glasser

Glasser attended the University of Pennsylvania where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in art history. She continued her academic pursuit of art at the School of Visual Arts in New York City before going to the University of Hawaii, where she spent two years. Her painting, Sympathy for Mick, was purchased by the cultural foundation of Hawaii and is still on display in the Lieutenant Governor’s office in Honolulu. She completed her master’s degree in fine arts at the University of California – Los Angeles.

In 1988, Glasser won second place at Artscape in the Park Shore Gallery in Naples, Fla. for her painting The Third Policeman. She would show again in 1995 at Manatee Community College with her one-woman show Relations. Glasser also led community art workshops and lectured at the Ringling Museum of Art.