wcw 3-23 all pages

focus on the arts
Exhibit celebrates the
City of Sarasota’s cultural arts history
On display at no charge in the City Hall lobby
Painting by William Hartman. Circus
Wagon/landscape. 1948
Elephant and boy at the circus
Robert Chase. Bird Feeder. 2005
If you’re a history or art buff – or maybe a
combination of both - you’ll enjoy the exhibit
now on display at Sarasota’s City Hall located at
1565 1st St., Sarasota.
The exhibit shares Sarasota’s rich cultural arts
history through dozens of photographs and paintings
by local mid-century local artists. The pieces include
landscapes, portraits and Ringling Brothers and Barnum
& Bailey images, which are shown in partnership
with the Arts Advocates, Circus Arts Conservatory
and Sarasota County History Center.
The exhibition, conceptualized and overseen by
the Office of Public Art and Historic Preservation Division,
highlights Sarasota’s cultural arts legacy connected
to the circus, architecture, tourism and more. The
artwork focuses on the visual arts and historical documentation
including paintings and photographs.
“Our goal is to educate residents and visitors about the
wonderfully rich cultural heritage of our city,” said Mary
Davis Wallace, Senior Planner and Office of Public Art
lead. “We have deep roots with the circus dating back
to when Sarasota was the winter home for the Ringling
Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, the Sarasota
School of Architecture and Major League Baseball spring
training with legend Babe Ruth and the Tin Can Tourists.
The exhibit is an opportunity for anyone to experience
quality art that is precious to our Sarasota history.”
Over three dozen pieces by local mid-century artists
are on display by the Arts Advocates, Circus Arts Conservatory
and Sarasota County History Center collection.
The exhibit will be on display at City Hall for one
year with a six month rotation for new pieces.
At the opening back in January, Sean Cloughery, also
known as the “Human Cannonball,” and whose likeness
is in the City Hall exhibit, discussed how he became the
“Human Cannonball” and how he would perform the act
during his circus career. “I started with Clyde Beatty Cole
Brothers Circus in 1991,” he said. “I ran into a gentleman
who used to do the cannon for Ringling Brothers. I was
cleaning his pool – I was 21 or 22 – and he asked me if I’d
Two posters that reflect
Sarasota’s history
be interested. So I started practicing, got the job, and it
went on for 12 years.”
These days Sean works for the city of Sarasota maintaining
City Hall: turning on lights, checking for any plumbing
or electrical issues, and ensuring everything is ready for
another day’s business. His talk added to the enjoyment
of the exhibit.
For more info, visit www.SarasotaFL.gov/Cultural-
Exhibit.
ABOUT the participating
organizations:
Arts Advocates
Arts Advocates was founded in 1969 as The Fine Arts
Society of Sarasota, Inc. They have the foremost collection
of works by Sarasota Art Colony artists on public
exhibition anywhere. The organization awards scholarships
to local students pursuing careers in the arts, and
offers arts-related luncheons, workshops, educational
tours, public art tours, and visits to private collections.
Circus Arts Conservatory
The Circus Arts Conservatory’s mission is to engage
and educate students using unique and innovative learning
programs; to measurably improve the quality of life
Human Cannonball Sean Thomas
for individuals in care communities; and to advance the
extraordinary legacy and heritage of the circus.
Sarasota County History Center
Sarasota County History Center is home to the
county’s historic preservation programs, as well as an
extensive collection of artifacts, archival records, and
other resources for historical research. A growing selection
of these items are now available for viewing in
the Center’s Digital Collections. The full collection is
available to researchers at the county’s public facility.
To learn more about the City of Sarasota Public Art
program visit www.SarasotaFL.gov/Our-City/Public-Art.
IMAGES: City of Sarasota and
Louise Bruderle
14 WEST COAST WOMAN MARCH 2023