Embracing Our Differences Closes Outdoor Exhibit Early

July 9, 2021 – Sarasota

Sarah Wertheimer, executive director of Embracing Our Differences, announced that her team decided to dismantle EOD’s outdoor exhibit at Nathan Benderson Park over the July 4^th holiday due to the tropical storm force winds predicted with Elsa’s approach to the Gulf Coast. The juried exhibit of 50 billboard-sized works of art was slated to be on view at the park until August 8. 

“The decision was made out of an abundance of caution,” says Wertheimer. “Because of the holiday weekend, we had to make the call earlier than we would have liked to but I’m extremely glad we did. The exhibit can’t withstand tropical storm winds.” 

The 2021 exhibit was on display at Bayfront Park in downtown Sarasota, January 20 to April 1. It then debuted at Nathan Benderson Park starting on May 20.   

“We’re thrilled to have been able to extend the exhibit—and Benderson Park was the perfect place to do it,” says Wertheimer, adding that, thanks to the generosity of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, the public had another opportunity to see the exhibit. 

The 2021 exhibit brought 15,912 entries from 128 nations, and from 48 U.S. states. The winning quotes and art are showcased in Sarasota’s Bayfront Park every year, from January through March. 

For 18 years, Embracing Our Differences has drawn on the passion and perception of artists, students, writers, and others to create powerful statements of diversity 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 3,560,000 visitors since its inception. This exhibit is the heart of a year-round program of activities designed to use art as a catalyst to create awareness and promote diversity.

For more information about Embracing Our Differences, call 941-404-5710, or visit www.embracingourdifferences.org.