Embracing Our Differences

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Embracing Our Differences

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Through the transformative power of the arts, we educate and inspire to create a better world. Petersburg.

The centerpiece of Embracing Our Differences is an outdoor juried art exhibition featuring 50 billboard size images (12.5 feet by 16 feet) created by local, national and international artists and writers. The display reflects the artists' interpretations of the theme "embracing our differences" The exhibition is displayed annually at Bayfront Park in downtown Sarasota and Poynter Park in St. In 2024, 422,576 people visited the exhibitions—bringing the total amount of visitors to more than 4.8 million since 2004. The 2025 exhibition had an impressive response to the call for artwork and inspirational quotes, with 10,124 entries pouring in from 122 countries and 46 states. Students from 511 schools around the world submitted artwork or quotations to the juried exhibition and more than 65% of submissions were from students. Also crucial to our mission are our ongoing education initiatives. Presented in partnership with regional school districts and nationally recognized educators, these programs have impacted over 587,000 students since 2004, including 55,357 students and 2,048 teachers last school year.

10/12/2026

As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, we’re celebrating the generations of Hispanic and Latino families, artists, and leaders whose courage, creativity, and hope have helped shape the American story.

For so many, the American dream began with a simple belief that there was a place for them here and a future worth building.

At Embracing Our Differences, our dream is much the same. Like the artwork we share each year, we hope to reflect a community that is inclusive, welcoming, and richer for every voice it holds.

Title: El Sueño Americano
Artist: Clifford McDonald
Sarasota, Florida
2020 Gallery, People’s Choice Award

10/09/2026

This past weekend, we proudly welcomed the 2026–27 Bending the Arc cohort! 🌟

Our newest group of student leaders came together for an inspiring kickoff orientation, marking the start of an exciting six-month journey. Together, they'll explore the history and legacy of the Civil Rights Movement, build meaningful relationships across differences, and discover their own voices as changemakers.

We're thrilled to welcome these exceptional students to the Bending the Arc family and can't wait to see how they learn, grow, challenge one another, and make an impact in their communities in the months ahead. The journey has officially begun!

10/07/2026

Kindness and creativity grow side by side. 🤝 Hear how one educator brings the Embracing Our Differences mission into the classroom year-round.

What does kindness look like in your classroom? Tell us below!

10/06/2026

Every year, our exhibitions fill public spaces with art that inspires kindness, respect, and inclusion. With your support, we fund education initiatives that spark essential conversations and help foster kindness in classrooms throughout the year.

Sponsorships for our 2027 exhibitions and luncheon are available now. Help us make this season our most impactful yet!

Click here to learn more about becoming a sponsor: https://www.embracingourdifferences.org/giving-opportunities

10/03/2026

New students, new friendships, and a whole lot of color!

Our newest Coexistence Club at Triad Alternative School welcomed new members with a fun and creative activity: tie-dyeing their very own club shirts!

It was the perfect way to kick off the year, build connections, and celebrate what makes each of us unique. 💙💚💛❤️

Here’s to creating a school community where everyone belongs, everyone is respected, and everyone can be themselves. 🫶

10/02/2026

Our 24th annual FREE exhibition featuring 50 billboard-sized artworks and thought-provoking quotations is returning to Sarasota and St. Petersburg! 🎨

📍Sarasota Bayfront Park�January 16 to April 18, 2027

📍St. Pete Pier (New Location!)�February 12 to March 14, 2027

Beyond the exhibition, your support powers education initiatives that spark meaningful conversations and foster kindness in classrooms all year long.

Save the dates and tag someone you’ll be visiting with this season!

09/29/2026

Embracing Our Differences recently welcomed 42 educators from Charlotte, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota counties to The Ringling for our annual Art Intensive.

Centered on The Art of Belonging, the day included hands-on workshops in weaving, visual poetry and creative movement, along with a gallery experience using Visual Thinking Strategies, all designed to be adapted for students across grade levels and subjects.

Every survey respondent agreed the Intensive offered actionable strategies for fostering inclusion and respect. One educator shared, “The workshop ideas to implement in the classroom were incredible, and I will definitely be utilizing them in my classroom.”

Thank you to The Ringling, our teaching artists, school district partners and every educator who joined us.

Tag a teacher who makes their classroom a place of belonging! 💛

09/24/2026

Embracing Our Differences will be out in the community this Saturday at Family Fest at the Van Wezel and Fun in the Wilderness in Bradenton.

We love opportunities to connect, create, and share our mission of kindness and respect with our community. We’re looking forward to a full day of activities, creativity, and connection.

We hope to see you there!

09/22/2026

The first day of fall is here, and that means Embracing Our Differences exhibition season is getting closer by the day. 👀

What are you most looking forward to when the exhibition opens?

Address

Sarasota, FL

Telephone

+19414045710

Website

https://www.EmbracingOurDifferences.org/

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