SARASOTA/SIESTA KEY
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
A walk of reflection.
PAGE 8B FREE • THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2024
VOLUME 20, NO. 19
YOUR TOWN
Moving toward affordable Despite neighbors’ concerns, city offers incentives for attainable housing. SEE PAGE 4A
Ian Swaby
No fear here
Quinly Collins, 6, wants to work at Australia Zoo someday. For her, attending the ReptiDay event, held at Sahib Shrine Center on March 30, was a head start. According to event manager Lisa Parker, the one-day version of Repticon’s events offered a place for reptile-lovers to come together over offerings like uncommon species, products and more. “It brings people together with a common interest that not everyone understands,” she said. “There’s a niche for everybody, and so everyone here is super passionate about reptiles. ... We all have the same love of these misunderstood animals.” Lee Abbott of Lee’s Okeetees, a Sarasota vendor at the event, found his passion for breeding snakes during his childhood in the area. “I wasn’t afraid of things. My whole family were fishermen and hunters, so I was acquainted with wildlife, and I enjoyed it very, very young,” he said.
PICTURE PERFECT
Families enjoy eggcelent Easter activities. SEE PAGE 2B
Ian Swaby
J-P the Clown, Heloisa Camara, 9, Dora Yu, 7, and Gabriella Pan, 4 and ChuckO attend the Good Friday celebration March 29 at Payne Park. Courtesy image
Maria Cecilia Conder with her Highwaymen painting purchased from Curtis Arnett, right.
New perspective
The Fine Arts Society of Sarasota, Arts Advocates, recently held a free public exhibit and sale of works from The Florida Highwaymen at the Arts Advocates Gallery at The Crossings at Siesta Key Mall. The Florida Highwaymen were Black landscape artists who emerged in the 1950s in the agricultural communities of Fort Pierce and Gifford. The group of painters, which grew to include 25 men and one woman, became known as The Highwaymen because they sold their artwork from the trunks of their cars during the post-World War II boom, unable to exhibit through traditional methods because of racial barriers. Before the exhibit concluded, on March 23, Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert co-presented awards to several of the Highwaymen recognizing their contributions.
A+E
Moderns that Matter
Sarasota County History Center
Built in 1965, Sarasota City Hall was envisioned by architect Jack West as a series of connected geometric shapes with water features and gardens.
Architecture Sarasota releases its list of the top 100. PAGE 3A
New look at The Ringling. INSIDE