ACE program offers more than 400 fall classes for Sarasota County adults

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Sarasota County adults looking to learn a new skill, pick up a hobby or simply try something new have hundreds of options this fall through the Adult & Community Enrichment program at Suncoast Technical College.

The ACE program is offering more than 400 classes during its Fall 2026 term, including about 100 new offerings. Classes begin Sept. 28 and run through Dec. 12.

Danelle Gilberti, program manager for ACE, joined ABC 7 News at Noon to talk about the program and the opportunities available to adults 18 and older.

“We are a fee-supported program in Sarasota County for all adults, 18-plus, and we’ve been serving the community for over 50 years,” Gilberti said. “We have classes in the daytime, evenings and weekends.”

The program offers everything from culinary arts and pickleball to painting, ceramics, dance, technology, languages and personal enrichment.

“We have 400 classes, with about 100 of those being new classes,” Gilberti said.

Among the new and returning offerings this fall are classes in artificial intelligence, smartphone photography, American Sign Language, women’s self-defense, line dancing, marine navigation, Italian cuisine, golf, pickleball and beginning Mah Jongg.

Gilberti said culinary classes remain a favorite, while arts programs consistently draw some of the program’s largest enrollment.

“Overall, the most enrollment is in the arts, painting, drawing, ceramics, mosaics, dance,” Gilberti said. “Those are always something that people come to as a beginner or to expand their skills.”

Classes are designed to fit a variety of schedules. Some are single-day courses, while others meet for several sessions or continue throughout much of the semester. New classes are also added regularly.

Most classes are held at the Suncoast Technical College campus at 4748 Beneva Road in Sarasota, although some courses are offered at other locations.

The cost varies depending on the class, with prices starting at $29.

Registration is now open and continues until classes are filled. Participants can register online, by phone or in person.

For more information about the Adult & Community Enrichment program and to browse available classes, visit ACE-SARASOTA.COM .