Art For Us All

New Murals Around Town Remind Us of Our Shared Humanity

These murals, created over the past several months, gave us a sense of togetherness in a time of distance and separation.

By Emma Moneuse October 27, 2021 Published in the For the Love of Our Arts 2021 issue of Sarasota Magazine

Legends of Soul by Simoné Corbet

1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota | Located on the wall of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s restored Binz Warehouse, this mural depicts iconic artists of color and a celebration of music. Appearing are singers James Brown, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Nat King Cole, The Supremes and Aretha Franklin. The building serves WBTT’s education and outreach programs.

Pride Mural by Brandon Thrift

Intersection of Pineapple and Cocoanut avenues, Sarasota | Sarasota-based artist Brandon Thrift created this colorful piece at the intersection of Pineapple and Cocoanut avenues during Pride Month to promote a message of peace and love and capture the spirit of the LGBTQ+ and Sarasota community.

Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Centennial Murals by Matt Myers

1945 Fruitville Road, Sarasota | In celebration of 100 years of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and Sarasota County, Matt Myers’ murals depict the faces of leaders in Sarasota history. The two murals decorate the west and east walls of the Chamber of Commerce building; both are over 30 feet tall. Among notable figures: John and Charles Ringling, Bertha Palmer, A.B. Edwards, Lewis Colson, Owen Burns, Rose Wilson, John Hamilton Gillespie and Emma E. Booker.

Shop Dine Local by Karen Chandler

1 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota | The pandemic had a big negative impact on local business. “Shop Dine Local” encourages residents to support small business and the community while enjoying themselves as well.

Daughters of Hamadryas by Danielle Dygert

1542 Fruitville Road, Sarasota | This large, fantastical scene is inspired by mythology, but also by stories closer to home. The images are resonant of the banyan trees at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, where Dygert and her sisters used to climb when they were young.

Lido Beach Pavilion by Tim Jaeger

400 Benjamin Franklin Drive, Sarasota | The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County and Visit Sarasota County were behind the process leading to this series of murals created by a team led by Tim Jaeger. The murals highlight the history of Lido Beach, depicting the old Lido Beach Casino and honoring the “wade-in” protests of 1955 that fought for integration of Lido Beach for the Black community of Newtown.

DreamLarge by Nick Dahill and Stanislav Mehn

600 Central Ave., Sarasota | A collaboration between DreamLarge and Ringling College of Art and Design, this Rosemary District mural reflects the ethos of “PINC”: people, ideas, nature, creativity. Students led by Dahill and Mehne transformed the once empty wall into a place where people gather to take photos and be influenced to dream large.

Lido Beach Pavilion by Tim Jaeger

Swing Out Into the World by Laura Pommier and Reggie Wanza

14212 Tamiami Trail, North Port | North Port’s new 30-by-30-foot mural highlights the importance of the first 1,000 days of childhood. The First 1,000 Days Sarasota initiative works to provide resources to families with young children to ensure the best in such a critical time of a child’s development.

Public art builds community, something we’ve needed more than ever this year. And artists have responded to the need. These murals, created over the past several months, gave us a sense of togetherness in a time of distance and separation. Adorning streets and structures everyone can access, outdoor art bridges the gaps between cultures, countries and time periods and brings a bit more color to our lives.

Murals

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