City of Sarasota : Cultural Exhibit Unveiled At City Hall Nov. 21

From: City of Sarasota
November 21, 2022

Sarasota, FL:  A new cultural exhibit celebrating the City of Sarasota’s rich cultural arts history will be on display at no charge in the City Hall lobby, 1565 First Street, beginning Monday, Nov. 21.

The exhibition, conceptualized and overseen by the Office of Public Art and Historic Preservation Division, highlights Sarasota’s considerable cultural arts legacy connected to the circus, architecture, tourism and more. The artwork focuses on the visual arts and historical documentation including paintings and photographs.

“Our goal is to educate residents and visitors about the wonderfully rich cultural heritage of our city,” said Mary Davis Wallace, Senior Planner and Office of Public Art lead.  “We have deep roots with the circus dating back to when Sarasota was the winter home for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, the Sarasota School of Architecture and Major League Baseball spring training with legend Babe Ruth and the Tin Can Tourists. The exhibit is an opportunity for anyone to experience quality art that is precious to our Sarasota history.”

Over three dozen pieces by local mid-century artists will be shown by the Arts Advocates, Circus Arts Conservatory and Sarasota County History Center collection. The exhibit will be on display at City Hall for one year with a six month rotation for new pieces.  

A public reception with an accompanying lecture is planned for Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.

About the participating organizations:

Arts Advocates

Arts Advocates was founded in 1969 as The Fine Arts Society of Sarasota, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to inspire creativity, advance education, and connect the community to the arts. Arts Advocates has the foremost collection of works by Sarasota Art Colony artists on public exhibition anywhere. The organization awards scholarships to local students pursuing careers in the arts, and offers arts-related luncheons, workshops, educational tours, public art tours, and visits to private collections.

Circus Arts Conservatory

The Circus Arts Conservatory’s mission is to engage and educate students using unique and innovative learning programs; to measurably improve the quality of life for individuals in care communities; and to advance the extraordinary legacy and heritage of the circus. The Circus Arts Conservatory’s extraordinary mission underscores its commitment to sharing the entertainment, education, and enrichment that Circus Arts provide in Sarasota.

Sarasota County History Center

Sarasota County History Center is home to the county's historic preservation programs, as well as an extensive collection of artifacts, archival records, and other resources for historical research. A growing selection of these items are now available for viewing in the Center's Digital Collections. The full collection is available to researchers at the county’s public facility.

About the City of Sarasota:  Distinguished by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top 10 Best Places to Live in the U.S. and the number one place in Florida, the City of Sarasota is a diverse and inclusive community located on Florida’s Suncoast with 56,000 year-round residents, several internationally recognized cultural arts venues, stunning sunsets along Lido Beach and Major League spring training baseball with the Baltimore Orioles. Learn more about us at www.SarasotaFL.Gov

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