Sarasota Public Art Committee approves series of murals, public installations and calls for artists

The Sarasota Public Art Committee on Thursday approved a slate of public-art actions, including a developer contribution for a large wall sculpture at a downtown residential project, authorization of an artist solicitation for the City's 1 Stop Shop façade, and support for an interactive projection installation tied to America250 celebrations at Selby Library.

Lee Smith, the developer for the Edge project, introduced artist Linda Fleming, who presented "Undulations," a three-section wall sculpture about 14 feet high and 8.7 feet wide made from painted, laser-cut stainless steel that uses layered color and engineered lighting to produce changing shadow effects. "Undulations is comprised of three sections that all hang together into one form that measures 14 feet high and 8.7 feet wide," Fleming said during her presentation, adding that the work is designed to change with natural and artificial light. Committee members asked about mounting and long-term maintenance; staff and the developer said the developer will maintain the work on private property while the city maintains art on city property or right of way. The committee moved and approved the developer's public-art contribution for The Edge unanimously.

Staff then detailed a qualifications-based RFQ for the City of Sarasota 1 Stop Shop building, seeking work for the west- and south-facing walls and pedestrian zones with a total artist budget of up to $100,000. The RFQ will emphasize original, durable, low-maintenance materials and ask artists to consider Sarasota's cultural and architectural history. Staff said outreach will include callforentry.org and professional networks, and that the timeline may be extended to ensure broad marketing and sufficient proposal time.

Representatives from LightMural, including Ed (head of the Department of Motion Design at Ringling College of Art and Design) and Kelly Warner (interactive artist and sound designer), proposed a one-night America250 interactive projection-mapping installation in the Selby Library alcove on July 3. The concept uses two short-throw projectors and a small camera to track participants, allowing them to trigger virtual fireworks in an immersive display; staff estimated the project budget at up to $5,500, most of which would cover equipment rental. "We want attendees to be able to create their own fireworks," Ed said. Committeemembers raised questions about sound levels and equipment security; library staff confirmed coordination on lighting, electrical access and facilities support. The committee approved the proposal.

On the former Mr. Red site at Gulfstream and Coconut, staff summarized a public survey (634 unique page views and 62 responses) that showed majority support for commissioning a new original artwork rather than replicating the removed sculpture. Staff recommended a site-specific call to artists focused on durability, sight lines and safety at the busy intersection; public commenters emphasized pedestrian interaction, nighttime lighting and flooding concerns. The committee voted to direct staff to prepare a call for artists for the Gulfstream & Coconut intersection.

The panel also approved several mural-related items: a design update and private gradient treatment for a Cantam vintage mural (property owner Ashley Rogers will privately commission a complementary gradient), a neighborhood-supported update to Trinity Rivard's "Above the Nest" mural sited at Gillespie Park (staff addressed a single household concern about color tones), and site-and-width approval for a Spoonbills mural at the State Street Eating House site (staff proposed a 10-year memorandum of understanding with a neighboring property owner and presented per-square-foot budget options).

Staff closed with maintenance and infrastructure updates, including planned repairs to long-standing works, lighting inventory work to address stolen or failed fixtures, and upcoming calls for artists for Amaryllis Park Place. Chair Gorman adjourned the meeting at 03:26.

Votes at a glance - Developer contribution, "The Edge" artwork: approved (unanimous; exact roll-call not specified in record). - City of Sarasota 1 Stop Shop RFQ (artist budget up to $100,000): approved to proceed. - America250 projection-mapping installation at Selby Library (budget up to $5,500): approved. - Call for artists for Gulfstream & Coconut (former Mr. Red site): approved to proceed. - Cantam mural gradient/design update: approved. - "Above the Nest" mural design update and site work: approved. - State Street Eating House mural site and widest width/budget: approved.

What happens next Staff will return with RFQ language, refined budgets and finalist mockups where appropriate, coordinate permits and site-specific engineering details (particularly for the Gulfstream & Coconut pad), and schedule follow-ups for final design approvals and public outreach.