Tag Archives: sarasota

The Art Scene, plus: public art in Sarasota

It looks like we’re going to check out the s/art/q debut party tonight after all. There’s a post on the creative loafing blog about the screenprinting party and also the genesis of the organization. Jungle Pete and his much better half are meeting us for dinner and art, we’ll give a full report later.

Speaking of art… There are two versions of J. Seward Johnson’s “Unconditional Surrender.” One has moved to San Diego, the other sits here on the Bayfront in Sarasota.



File under: what the hell?, originally uploaded by meanlouise.

I snapped this picture of Sarasota’s most controversial piece of public art as we were driving by, but I’m pleased to see that I randomly captured someone looking up the statue’s dress. This is apparently a popular past-time (make your own pubic art jokes here).

I’m still reading up on the controversy over the statue. It’s all rather bizarre and probably worthy of a later post.

s/art/q

I heard about a new contemporary art space in Sarasota that sounded cool. There’s a little (very little) info about a party there Friday night on their website, s/art/q but we’re booked for Friday night so we decided to just drive over there yesterday.

We found a generic warehouse/office park type building but there weren’t any signs. We drove around to the side of the building and spotted an open door.

Part of me doesn’t want to see the rest of the space now, because we think this was perfect just the way it is:



s/art/q, originally uploaded by meanlouise.

Seriously though, I do want to check this out next time I’m here. Here’s some info off their website:


About
Established in 2008, the S ART Q organization represents the highly engaged and connected community of professional visual arts and emerging enthusiasts. This includes the broad and diverse spectrum of visual artists, art professionals, arts educators, visual arts organizations and agencies, and all those who produce, present, serve and enjoy the visual arts in Sarasota.

Mission
Our mission is to provide visual and cultural leadership for Sarasota County by developing, strengthening and promoting the excellence, scope of educational role of the visual arts, while initiating and fostering partnerships, collaborations, and liaisons with all art groups, local business, and citizens of Sarasota County. In addition the SARTQ organization holds a strong belief to educate the community of Sarasota as to the value of public support for the arts.

Captain Styles and his nightly flag ceremony

97 year old Captain Ralph Styles (USN, retired) presides over two flag ceremonies a day in front of his house on Beach Road on Siesta Key. Local Coffee and Tea has a short article on their website declaring Styles a “Local Treasure,” and noting that the ceremonies have been taking place for about 12 – 15 years. I’d swear they started before I moved away, but I must just remember them from visits home later on.

The evening ceremony takes place minutes after the sun sets, and since his house is located on the point, on possibly one of the nicest spots to watch the sun set, he always has an abundant supply of participants and onlookers. Some days, there are costumes.

Thanks to the magic of youtube, I can post someone else’s video, since I was too lazy to shoot one of my own. I’m sad this one doesn’t include a live drummer, but that’s okay:

I really should have shot one of the morning flag-raising ceremonies, which are just as nice but aren’t well attended because they’re, well, early.

If you’re interested, here’s Captain Styles describing his military experience at Pearl Harbor: