City Wants Help from Local Artists

A new visual art program launched by the City of Sarasota invites local artists to display their work for the public in the Federal Building, 111 S. Orange Avenue, beginning Monday, Oct. 3. The displays will change four times a year, a city press release said.

It is anticipated the artwork will stimulate interest in local artists. “As a cultural community with a tourist based economy, locals and visitors to the city have an interest in exploring the work of local artisans,” said Virginia Hoffman, the exhibition project manager, in the release.  “This program allows local visitors and tourists to experience gallery exhibits filled by various local artists in the Federal Building.”  The program may be expanded in the future to include other city owned facilities.

A Call to Artist is underway requesting individual artists, groups or organizations to submit examples of their work for consideration for the program. The Call to Artists will be ongoing, with four cycles each year:

• October 1 – December 31
• January 1 – April 30
• May 1 – July 30
• August 1 – September 30

Program requirements and an application are available on the public art portion of the city's website, www.sarasotagov.com/publicart.

A nationally designated historical structure, the Federal Building is located in the heart of downtown Sarasota.  The Sarasota Office of Housing and Community Development is located there as well as the office for The City of Sarasota Human Resources department also has offices in the building.

For more information on the program contact Public Art Volunteer Virginia Hoffman at virginia.hoffman@sarasotagov.com or  941-400-5217.