The face of public art in Sarasota is poised for a revival as the city issues a call to artists this week for an original sculpture to install in the future roundabout at Orange Avenue and Ringling Boulevard. This is the first call to artists in what is projected to be a series of efforts installing roundabouts at select intersections, each with its own contribution to Sarasota’s public art collection.

Accepting submissions between now and June 5, all proposals will be reviewed by the Public Art Committee and winnowed to three finalists who will be invited to pitch their work in-person. From these presentations, the Public Art Committee will make final recommendations to the City Commission, which will make the final decision. There’s no guarantee these decisions will align, “but generally [city commissioners] have followed the recommendation,” said Neighborhood and Development Services General Manager David Smith.

The City expressed no preference in terms of style or theme with the call but did lay down criteria for aspiring artists to follow. Proposed sculptures must be original creations, thereby hopefully avoiding community controversy as surrounds the Unconditional Surrender statue on Tamiami Trail, and must be free-standing under 20 feet in height. Submissions should also show an awareness of the surrounding Orange Avenue/Ringling Boulevard environment and complement existing design. Water features are disallowed, as installations at busy intersections must require minimal maintenance.

For reasons of safety, message displays, signs and flashing lights will not be allowed and the work must be designed for viewing at a distance. “We don’t want people walking into the roundabouts,” said Smith.

A national call, submissions are not limited to local artists and there is no indication preference will be given to local submissions. “But it would be great if a local artist was selected,” said Smith. But all artists, local or not, should keep the Florida climate in mind when choosing materials. “Because of the environment we’re in,” said Smith, “you don’t want metal that will rust or be eaten by salt air.”

The submission deadline is June 5. Budget must not exceed $150,000.

View the full details of this call to artists at the website below.

Call to Artists