Art Ovation Hotel Presents "Sarasota Icons" by Javi Suarez

"John Ringling" (2022) 

Sarasota has a wealth of public art. The City has 95 works in its collection, with more to come. Then there are the murals created by businesses and community groups and the Avenue of Art and Dr. Nik's bikes. Art seems to be almost everywhere you look when you're walking the City's streets. But if you're sticking to the sidewalks, you're missing a great place to see some art -- the aptly named Art Ovation Hotel. The exhibits on display in the lobby are open to the public day and night. And what exhibits they have. 

A series of works by Javi Suarez entitled "Sarasota Icons" is currently on view. Suarez is a local architect and artist with a love for Sarasota history. His portaits depict people who have made contributions to our city in a multitude of ways. Suarez calls his unique style "rational Expressionism" as he "synthesizes his rational thinking (concept) and action (body, feelings)." 

It's no surprise that John Ringling is remembered in the exhibit. After all, Ringling was responsible for making Sarasota the winter headquarters of the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus back in 1927. And of course Ringling's art collection provided the foundation for the Ringling Museum. Both John and Mabel (who has a portrait of her own in the exhibit) were instrumental in creating the strong cultural vibe that makes Sarasota so special. 

"John Jordan 'Buck' O'Neil" (2022) 

With spring training right around the corner (go, Rays!), I was especially happy to see Buck O'Neil commemorated. If you're a public art lover, you've probably already become familiar with O'Neil. Four portraits of O'Neil can be found around the city, including a 40' tall mural on the Blvd of the Arts.  

The recognition is well-deserved. O'Neil grew up in Sarasota at a time well before integration. A baseball fan from a young age, he watched spring training games in Payne Park from a perch in a nearby tree. (The bleachers were whites-only seating.) O'Neil's entree into the world of professional baseball was as a "barnstormer," a member of a team of Black players who showcased their skills in exhibition games across the country. His career highlights include playing first base with the Kansas City Monarchs and serving as a scout for the Chicago Cubs. O'Neil was one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City. In 2007, President Bush awarded O'Neil a posthumous Presidential Medal of Honor for "helping break down the barriers of racial injustice." I wasn't kidding when I said the recognition is well-deserved. 

"John Rivers and Dr. Ed James II" (2022)

Not all of the people depicted have names with which I was familiar. Take, for instance, John Rivers and Dr. Ed James II. I learned from the wall card that Rivers and James were civil rights leaders in Sarasota. They were involved in the protests that led to the integration of local beaches and fought for representation of the city's African-American residents in local government. One of the things I like best about Suarez' paintings are the details you might not notice if you don't take the time to really look at the work. For instance, in the top right hand corner of this painting is an image taken from a photograph of James Sims and Bert Irons during a "wade-in" at Casperson Beach in 1956. (Click here to see the original photo and read a bit of history of the wade-ins.) 

"William Wesley Peters, Frank Lloyd Wright and the Van Wezel" (2022)

I'll leave you with a work in which Suarez tips his hat to a fellow architect -- William Wesley Peters. You can probably guess which building Peters designed by the colors in this painting. Yes, he's responsible for Sarasota's "Purple Cow" -- the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center.  Since the Van Wezel was built in 1969, it's hosted thousands of performers, including Beverly Sills, Ella Fitzgerald, Liberace, Johnny Cash and Bob Hope. (Click here to see a list of the 50 biggest names who've appeared there.) And here's a little-known fact (at least to me). Peters' father-in-law was none other than Frank Lloyd Wright, who can also be found in this image. Rumor has it that we can thank Wright's widow for the building's purple color scheme. 

"Sarasota Icons" by Javi Suarez will be on display at Art Ovation Hotel through May 6. To see more of Suarez' work, click here for his website. Also on display is "Silk Road," an exhibit of work by the always exciting Dasha Reich. A huge thanks to Art Ovation for its contributions to Sarasota's art scene.