Photo courtesy of the organization.

The Sarasota County Commission awarded Embracing Our Differences a $43,157 Tourist Development Cultural/Arts grant to help fund its 2022 exhibition season, which runs January 15 through April 10 in Sarasota’s Bayfront Park. For 18 years, Embracing Our Differences has drawn on the passion and perception of artists, writers, students 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 more than 3.6 million visitors since its inception in 2004. This exhibit is the heart of a year-round program of initiatives designed to use art and words as a catalyst to create awareness and promote diversity.

“This generous grant supports our commitment to engage viewers locally, nationally, and even internationally,” says Sarah Wertheimer, Embracing Our Differences’ executive director. “It’s a powerful vote of confidence for our important work.” Wertheimer adds that the 2021 exhibit attracted 384,000 visitors, of which 29 percent came from counties in Florida outside of Sarasota County; 33.5 percent were visitors from out of state; and three and a half percent were international tourists.

A call for art and quote submissions for the 2022 exhibit is ongoing through October 6. For more information about Embracing Our Differences, call 941-404-5710, or visit embracingourdifferences.org.

Photo courtesy of the organization.