Embracing Our Differences and the 2017 World Rowing Championships partnered on a new initiative called Adopt a Team. Students at 39 schools throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties have spent the past two months creating artwork that represents 54 of the countries participating in this year's World Rowing Championships. Billboard–sized enlargements of the students’ art will be displayed at the competitive event this September. “Embracing Our Differences uses the transformational power of art to create awareness and promote diversity,” says Michael Shelton, executive director of Embracing Our Differences. “Thanks to this initiative, students learned about diverse cultures, religions and experiences; in the process, they became a vital part of the larger global community. It’s a natural extension of our core mission.” He adds that student artists will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from participating countries during the 2017 World Rowing Championships. An estimated 40,000 spectators and 1,700 athletes will see these Billboard-sized enlargements of the students’ art on the grounds of the athletic event this September in Sarasota.

Embracing Our Differences