Public Art Campaign Raises Awareness Of Free Parenting Resources

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — First 1,000 Days Sarasota County has launched a communitywide public art project celebrating babies and families and raising awareness of the organization’s free parenting resources.

Through its “Color the Community” campaign, the nonprofit group encourages families and partners throughout the greater Sarasota community to create and share works of art inspired by the fundamentals of early learning. Artwork can range from sidewalk chalk doodles to finger painting or even macaroni pictures.

The groups asks that people use the Boston Basics Campaign’s early learning principles as their inspiration for their art. These principles include:

• Maximize love, manage stress;
• Count, group, compare;
• Talk, sing and point;
• Explore through play and movement;
• Read and discuss stories.

To kickstart the project, First 1,000 Days Sarasota County commissioned two community murals to inspire families and young artists.

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“Bubbles” by Truman Adams was painted on the Forty Carrots Family Center at 1500 S Tuttle Ave. in Sarasota. “Swing Out Into the World” was created by Laura Pommier at Quality TV Sales & Service at 14212 Tamiami Trail in North Port.

“Each piece was designed as gateways for young families to learn about community resources to help their children,” the organization wrote on its website.

The nonprofit asks people to post photos of themselves with their masterpieces on social media. Tagging @First1000DaysSarasota on Facebook and Instagram. They can also use the hashtags #First1000DaysSarasota and #ColortheCommunity.

Visit First1000DaysSarasota.com to sign up for free text tips on early learning principles and to connect with local resources for parents and young children.