The newest addition to Sarasota's public art collection is set to make its debut tomorrow. Poly, a 20-foot-tall cylindric sculpture by New York artist Hou de Sousa, will be installed in the roundabout at U.S. 41 and 14th Street. 

Installation work will begin after 8 p.m. tonight and continue overnight. While impacts to north-south travel are expected to be minimal, drivers are advised to proceed with caution. The Sarasota Police Department will be directing traffic.

The installation marks the culmination of a five-year journey for Poly, which was priced at $208,066 and was first selected for this location in 2019 by the City of Sarasota commission as part of its "Art in the Roundabouts" program. Poly was recommended by the Public Art Committee and approved in September 2019.

But the road to its installation wasn’t smooth. Post-pandemic supply chain issues and rising construction material and labor costs caused delays, halting the process in 2023. The city also faced challenges when the only bid it received for the sculpture’s installation came in at $389,738—far exceeding the project’s original budget. Today, the total cost for the concrete foundation and site work is $340,906.50, with an additional $20,974.80 increase due to state-mandated materials adjustments. 

The city is now focusing on approving a sculpture called Seagrass at the 10th Street and U.S. 41 roundabout and one titled Sun Always Shines at Fruitville Road and U.S. 41. Both have yet to be passed on to the Sarasota City Commission for final consideration. 

To learn more about the City of Sarasota's "Art in the Roundabouts" program, collection, click here.