City Hall cultural exhibit showcases Sarasota's history

An open house reception this week will celebrate Sarasota's arts connection to architecture, the circus and tourism.

Visitors can enjoy two 15-minute lectures and a guided tour of the exhibition, which showcases Sarasota’s cultural history through photographs and paintings by local mid-century artists.

"We have deep roots with the circus dating back to when Sarasota was the winter home for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, the Sarasota School of Architecture and Major League Baseball spring training with legend Babe Ruth and the Tin Can Tourists,” said Mary Davis Wallace, a senior planner and Office of Public Art lead, in a release. "The exhibit is an opportunity for anyone to experience quality art that is precious to our Sarasota history."

The City Hall Cultural Arts Exhibit Open House and Lecture will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at City Hall and is free to attend.

The exhibit will run through November, with a rotation of new artwork in May.

The city of Sarasota's Office of Public Art and Historical Preservation has partnered with Arts Advocates, Circus Arts Conservatory and Sarasota County History Center to present these pieces.