Embracing Our Differences Celebrates Outdoor Exhibits 20th Anniversary

October 28, 2022 – Sarasota

For 20 years, Embracing Our Differences has drawn on the passion and perception of artists, students, writers, and others to create powerful statements of diversity, respect, kindness and acceptance in its annual outdoor public art exhibition consisting of 50 billboard-sized works of art and accompanying quotes. The scale and impact of this outdoor exhibition has continued to grow, attracting more than four million visitors since its inception. The 2022 exhibit welcomed 371,256 visitors, bringing total attendance, since 2004, to more than four million. The exhibit is the heart of a year-round program of activities designed to use art as a catalyst to create awareness and promote diversity.

Sarah Wertheimer, EOD’s executive director, explains that monumental positive change and forward movement has happened in 20 years.

“Our first call to artists received 124 submissions,” says Wertheimer. “This year, we received 13,733 from 119 countries. And we’re thrilled that annual visitor attendance has quadrupled since we began. Less than 100,000 people attended the first exhibit; we had almost 400,000 last year.”

Wertheimer says that more milestones have been achieved with EOD’s ongoing educational initiatives. “Twenty years ago, we reached 1,200 students with our educational programming. Last year, our education initiatives touched the lives of 52,274 students,” she says. Wertheimer adds that the organization has also added many more programs in the past five years, including two different reading programs in Sarasota-Manatee schools; an annual scholarship program for high school and college students; programs created for high school students that feature docent training as part of the Coexistence Club experience and a Unity Day program; and teacher workshops that provide area educators with skills, strategies and resources relating to arts appreciation, character building and diversity education.

“All of these milestones were achieved with the support of our extended family of educators, students, volunteers, board members, community foundations, and donors. They have stayed with us every step of the way and made our journey possible.”

Wertheimer adds that EOD’s 20^th anniversary theme is “Embracing Kindness,” and the organization is planning several special events to celebrate the 2023 exhibit, including exhibiting it at two new venues.

 “We’re excited to have been asked to display the 2023 exhibit at Butler Park in North Port and at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota. And, of course, we’ll open the exhibit at Bayfront Park in downtown Sarasota.” Wertheimer says that the public should expect a series of events commemorating the anniversary throughout the year, starting with a Grand Opening event on January 22 in Bayfront Park.

How can area residents and visitors help celebrate EOD’s 20^th?

By “joining us in creating a world where kindness, respect and individuality are valued,” says Wertheimer.

“This universal message is a message of action. It’s coming together and not closing our eyes to people in need. Each one of us holds the key to open the door to kindness, compassion and understanding. Now, more than ever, it’s time to work together to eliminate the barriers of prejudice that hold back the full range of human potential. Today, the message of Embracing our Differences—that of inclusion, respect and kindness—is more vital than ever.”