Chairs
Renée James Gilmore, Jeannie Russell, and Pauline Wamsler
cordially invite you to
Cocktails at the Cottage
celebrating the new exhibition Emily Dickenson: New Feet Within My Garden Go
at the Historic Spanish Point campus
Thursday, November 19, 2026
5 to 8 p.m.
Enjoy a casual evening of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres overlooking Little Sarasota Bay at Selby Gardens’ Historic Spanish Point campus. Watch the sunset and preview our new exhibition New Feet Within My Garden Go: The Poetry of Emily Dickenson. A selection of Dickinson’s best-known, nature-inspired poems will be sited throughout the Historic Spanish Point campus. Accompanying the poems will be illustrations by artist Abby Wright and photographs of pages from Dickinson’s own herbarium, featuring her personal collection of pressed plants. The poems will also be narrated by Selby Gardens’ Artist in Residence, Patti Smith, who provided the inspiration for this multi-sensory experience. The poems will also be narrated by Selby Gardens’ Artist-in-Residence, Patti Smith, who provided the inspiration for this multi-sensory experience.
The event will be held at
the Historic 19th Century White Cottage, Sunken Garden, and Pergola.
Presenting Sponsor – $5,000
- Reserved Seating for Ten (10) at the event.
- Opportunity to address guests at the event.
- Opportunity to supply pop-up banners for display at the event.
- Opportunity to distribute branded items at the event.
- Recognition as Presenting Sponsor in event-specific promotional materials, preview invitation, Selby Gardens’ website, and The Sanctuary member newsletter.
Lead Sponsor – $2,500
- Reserved Seating for Eight (8) at the event.
- Recognition as Lead Sponsor in event-specific promotional materials, preview invitation, Selby Gardens’ website, and The Sanctuary member newsletter.
Partner Sponsor – $1,500
- Reserved Seating for Six (6) tickets to the event.
- Recognition as Partner Sponsor in event-specific promotional materials, preview invitation, Selby Gardens’ website, and The Sanctuary member newsletter.
Sponsor – $750
- Four (4) tickets to the event.
- Recognition as Sponsor in event-specific promotional materials, preview invitation, Selby Gardens’ website, and The Sanctuary member newsletter.
Individual Ticket – $175
Located on Little Sarasota Bay less than 10 miles south of Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus, the Historic Spanish Point campus is one of the largest preserves showcasing native Florida plants that is interpreted for the public. The preserve celebrates an archaeological record that encompasses approximately 5,000 years of Florida history.
All proceeds from Cocktails at the Cottage benefit Selby Gardens’ Historic Spanish Point campus.