I am going to LOVE living in Sarasota! My apartment is five blocks from downtown and within walking distance of a huge Whole Foods Market, the main library, a 20-plex cinema, my bank headquarters, the Van Wesel Performing Arts Center, the Opera, the Symphony, at least 5 playhouses and probably 50 restaurants. The apartment is also only a few blocks from the bridge leading to Lido Beach on St. Armands Circle – close enough for me to bike to.
But the thing that strikes me most are the clowns of Sarasota. All around town are life size statues of clowns figures that have been painted and decorated by local artists. Since Sarasota was the traditional home of the Ringling Brothers Circus, and the Ringling family has been a tremendous benefactor of the city for many years, the clown theme makes sense. After being displayed for a time, the figures will be auctioned off to generate donations for a local children’s charity. What fun!
Hi Kerry! Sorry to hear about the vandalism, but the lack of the butterfly doesn’t keep this particular clown from being one of my favorites. Beautiful work – I’m anxious to see more of it.
Hi Barbara — I’m Joan’s friend, the one who painted “Ma’am Butterfly” pictured above. I see the butterfly that used to sit on her hand is gone. The vandalism has been unreal! Anyway, Joan hipped me to this website so I checked it out — hope to meet you soon.