Youngsters enjoy the Bayfront Children's Fountain, decorated with public art.
There's something special about public art. Unlike the art you view in a museum, you may run into it randomly. It may spark an unexpected discussion or prove to be an exciting opportunity for a Kodak moment. It brings a new kind of beauty and originality to the area. It enhances our local culture. At times it may spark controversy. Above all else, it reminds us that there is art all around us.
The sculptures we run into on a corner downtown are just as much a part of Sarasota's landscape as our beautiful beaches, as the many art fans and connoisseurs who flock to Sarasota can attest. John Ringling was the leading pioneer in making art accessible in Sarasota back in the 1920s and the John and Mable Ringing Museum of Art remains one of our most cherished landmarks and attractions. The galleries on Palm Avenue, the artists' colony in Towles Court and the many arts fairs we have year-round are just a few other reminders that the art community continues to thrive in Sarasota.
Sarasota has brought art to the street, making it available to everyone, not just those that seek it out. There's a certain joy one experiences when running into a thought-provoking and breathtaking piece on a corner. Sarasota County locals and visitors alike may recall the painted clowns that once decorated downtown Sarasota, as well as the painted pigs in Venice. Such public art displays rose to popularity in the last decade. Major cities like Chicago and Miami had huge displays of animals and birds. Sarasota also has an enormous sculpture of "the Kiss" on its bayfront. All of these public art displays brought happiness, confusion and a mix of other emotions to residents and visitors, but had one thing in common: They got people talking about art.
The majority of Sarasota's current public art displays fit in quite well to the landscape and bring additional culture to an already cultured community. On http://sarasotagov-com.gowest1.gowesthosting.com/PublicArt/Artist_list.cfm, you can read up on the city's Public Art Program and peruse public art collections by artist, location or medium. If you want to check out a specific piece or get a preview of what you may spot in a particular location, such as the bayfront, City Hall, downtown or St. Armands Circle, the site is a great tool. Artists should also check the site as the city will continue to offer opportunities for public art submissions in the future.
The newest public art display to grace the city is called "Intersections." The display features 12 sculptures in various areas in downtown Sarasota. The talented artists, who created pieces that are not only innovative but can stand up to nature, are predominantly local. Three of the artists are from other areas outside Florida.
Locals and visitors can check out a certain piece that interests them or see all 12 pieces in a walking tour. The Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Sarasota County Arts Council and the Public Art Committee worked together to create an easy-to-navigate Walking Tour Map. View it here: http://www.sarasotagov.com/NDS/Public%20Art/Intersections%20Map.web.pdf.
All of the pieces will be on display until sometime in 2012 and one of them will be purchased to become a permanent part of Sarasota's art collection.
"Intersections" includes "Point Defiance" by Beth Nybeck at First and Central; "Noise" by Robin Morgan at the 1400 block on First Street; "Rain" by Valeria Yamamoto at First and Lemon; "Freedom-Sky" by Ofra Friedman, "Fractured Migration" by Dennis Kowal and "Bharata" by Claudia Jane Klein, all at Selby Five Points Park; "Impulse" by Bruce White at Main and Lemon; "Vertigo" by Mark Chew at Laurel and Orange; "Community Figures" by James Evans at the 50 block on Palm Avenue; "Arches" by "Tekla" Teresa Howachyn at Palm and McAnsh Street; and "Montenegro" by Zoran Mojsilov at Bayfront Park.
In addition to "Intersections," Sarasota offers up other public art displays throughout the year. "Embracing Our Differences" is an "international outdoor art exhibit intended to demonstrate in a positive way that diversity enriches lives." Presented by Coexistence Inc., the display is heading into its ninth year, appearing from April 1-May 28, 2012. The exhibit, an extensive array of huge images created by professional artists, art students and even young children from around the world, has attracted nearly a million people to the Sarasota Bayfront since its launch in 2004.
The Sarasota County Arts Council's website serves as a guide to arts and culture in the county. Peruse attractions and events at www.sarasotaarts.org. For more activities of interest to the arts and culture lovers out there, visit www.sarasotafl.org and click on "Things to Do" or "Events."
