APRIL FOOL: New option for city logo emerges

The city commission will soon take up another attempt at redesigning the city’s logo. 

With its prior decision to not make changes at this time, and the prevailing philosophy of keeping the statue of David central to any logo change in the future, a group has approached the city with another idea.

Citizens In Reverence of Circus Underpinning Sarasota has drafted an application to blend two iconic images of John Ringling’s contributions to the city — the statue of David at the John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art and the circus history here. The design concept is to put David in a ringmaster’s top hat and jacket, set against a red and white striped background symbolic of a circus tent.

“When people think of Sarasota, they think of two things,” said CIRCUS spokesman Bailey Barnum. “They think of David and the former winter home of the circus. Our cultural history is represented by David and the circus is also culture, if you think about it, and John Ringling’s influences are what made Sarasota what it is today.”

The statue of David is nude, but Barnum said putting the sculpture in pants would violate the spirit and intent of Michelangelo’s creativity.

“We think the design pays proper homage to Michelangelo’s work, John Ringling’s influence and the city’s vibrant cultural history,” Barnum said.