Empowering Lives

Welcome to Florida Winefest & Auction

Welcome to an evening of elegance, generosity, and elevated experiences. As you step into the world of Florida Winefest & Auction, you’ll be immersed in a celebration of fine wines, gourmet cuisine, and the transformational impact of community giving. With every pour, bid and toast, you’ll help fuel our mission to empower children, youth and families in Sarasota and Manatee counties through charitable programs that open doors and spark opportunity. Together, we raise glasses and raise hope—because every moment shared here becomes a stepping stone for a brighter tomorrow.

Dylan McDermott – Magic Realism
Sunday, March 29
1:00–4:00pm
Artist in Attendance

Burns Gallery on Central
1348 Central Avenue
Sarasota, Florida

Hosted and curated by Nikki Sedacca

Dylan McDermott – Magic Realism

In Magic Realism, Dylan McDermott presents a lifetime of street photography shaped by instinct, intimacy, and the quiet drama of human presence.

Drawn to the still image as a form of meditation, McDermott approaches photography as a way of pausing time—an opportunity to study emotion, texture, and the worlds contained within a single expression.

Moving through cities and countries alike, his portraits emerge from fleeting encounters transformed into moments of lasting attention. Rooted in connection rather than spectacle, each photograph honors the essence of its subject: a brief meeting, a shared pause, a moment of trust captured in a single frame.

The title Magic Realism reflects the balance between the ordinary and the extraordinary. The realism is the street itself—the raw wisdom of everyday life. The magic lies in the people, whose faces and stories elevate reality into something luminous, intimate, and unforgettable.

Supporting a Great Cause

This exhibit benefits the Caring for Children Charities’ Scholarship Endowment Fund.

The newly accredited Digital Cinema Production Program supports local juniors and seniors in public high schools in collaboration with Suncoast Technical College, providing scholarships and equipment for talented young creators.

Florida Winefest & Auction, Inc., doing business as Caring for Children Charities, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has awarded over $10.5 million to local youth and families since 1991.

Unfortunately, I can not attend but would like to donate.

Who Are We:

We are Florida Winefest & Auction, where giving back is at the heart of everything we do. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, our mission is clear: to provide crucial funding to qualified charitable organizations supporting disadvantaged children, youth, and families in the beautiful Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

What We Do:

We are incredibly grateful for the support of our community. It is through this collective generosity that we have been able to proudly awarded almost $10 million to 98 local disadvantaged children’s charities. These funds have been instrumental in providing vital resources, opportunities, and a glimmer of hope to these young individuals who deserve a chance to thrive.

Our Mission Statement:

To provide funding to qualified charitable organizations for programs assisting disadvantaged children, youth and families in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Florida Winefest & Auction, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization. Tax ID 65-0455486