SARASOTA, Fla. — The hard-to-miss giant billboard displays are back at Bayfront Park in Sarasota for the 21st year. They're part of the Embracing Our Differences exhibition which is run by a non-profit of the same name.
Every Spring, Sarasota Bay acts as a backdrop for the thought-provoking and conscience-stirring art that adorns the lawn at Bayfront Park.
"We are thrilled to be celebrating once again with our entire community these important values of kindness, respect, and inclusion," Sarah Wertheimer, the executive director of Embracing Our Differences, said.
The exhibition is a collection of 50 blown-up art pieces and quotations selected from 16,000 entries in more than 125 countries, including some local schools.
"It really is such a special honor when a student is selected, or when a professional artist is selected," Wertheimer added.
Organizers said over the years, they've seen recurring themes in the art entries. Many of them deal with controversial subject matters that people across the world encounter every day in their real lives.
"Body image, ageism, mental health, and then of course, gender inequality and racial inequality. We also see a lot of bullying," Wertheimer explained.
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"These times, we need it more than ever because so many people are not inclusive," Sarasota resident Gail Lisi said.
However, some critics say the artwork represented excludes other ideas.
"There's a lot of Christians, and there's a lot of conservatives, and there's a lot of people that aren't even political and I don't see any of their views. These are very politically charged," another resident, Kali Fontanilla, said.
However, the exhibition is diversifying geographically and expanding its presence further north.
"We are very excited this year for the first time we will be bringing our exhibition to St. Petersburg to Pointer Park for the full month of March," Wertheimer said.
The grand opening for the Embracing Our Differences exhibition is this Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. The free event will feature live performances by Jah Movement, kid-friendly fun, food and beverages, and booths featuring area arts groups.
The billboards will stay up at Bayfront Park until April 14.