Sarasota Bayfront sculpture finds new home on local university campus

 

SARASOTA, FL (June 9, 2008) – On Friday, June 6 at 9:30 a.m., the last sculpture that was previously displayed at Sarasota Bayfront as part of Sarasota’s “Season of Sculpture” moved to its new home on the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus. 

 

The sculpture, named PuLse for its beautiful reflection of light, was installed adjacent to the campus bookstore on 41.  The 12 foot cube filled with mirrors was awarded 2nd in the people’s choice awards for the exhibition and has received tremendous attention.

 

“I think displaying this sculpture on our campus is making a real commitment to the community and the arts, especially the Educational Corridor of U.S. 41,” said Arthur Guilford, vice president and CEO of the regional campus.  “It’s a gorgeous piece and we’re happy to have it here.”

 

The moving of the 7,000 pound piece required a crane and caused a slight back-up on US 41.  Two lanes of the road were temporarily closed and passersby stopped to take photos of the move.

 

It was a move that happened last minute, with school officials rushing to find a location and arrange the details of PuLse’s new home.  Just last week, local artist Christine Snyder found out that the piece wasn’t going to a Detroit group as planned because of the weight of the sculpture.  USF Sarasota-Manatee scrambled to the rescue, making a space on U.S. 41 for the piece.  Landscaping will be cleared around the sculpture, which sits directly across from the SRQ airport.

 

The sculpture will be on loan to USF and be exhibited at the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus through November 2009.  During that term, USF Sarasota-Manatee and the artist will coordinate an effort to acquire the piece through fundraising or a gift-in-kind donation from the artist.  The cost of the piece is $180,000. 

 

For more information, please call (941) 359-4572 or visit www.sarasota.usf.edu.