Another sculpture is vandalized in Sarasota

Another sculpture is vandalized in Sarasota

Posted: Nov 26, 2007 01:05 PM EST

Updated: Nov 26, 2007 06:27 PM EST


Sarasota prides itself on being a city of the arts. But once again vandals tarnish that reputation by damaging one of the sculptures in the annual "Season Of Sculpture" exhibit.

Vandals struck the sculpture called "American Dream". It used to reach 15 feet in the air, but somebody broke it off. You can see where the metal is bent and caused the whole thing to collapse.

"I think it's horrible. It's atrocious." Spectators reacted with shock and anger when they saw the damage.

Season of sculpture officials say it happened during the night Saturday. "This sculpture goes up into the heavens. It's very heavy, you would have to work hard, probably 2 or 3 people grabbed it and pulled it down," says Executive Director Brenda Terris.

Sarasota Police are stepping up patrols. "We have asked patrols to ride by on cars on bikes and look for any people loitering around," says Sarasota Police's Jay Frank.

This kind of vandalism has occurred in Sarasota before. When Tidewell Hospice displayed their clown statues on city streets several were damaged. "We made a couple of arrests and it stopped. We're hoping it will be the same thing."

But this is a second hit for season of sculpture. Two weeks ago, somebody spray painted graffiti on the sculpture "The Dance", the one made of used cars. Season Of Sculpture is tightening up their security. "We've had off-duty police, we got an angel furnishing surveillance video and signs that say please don't climb on the structure".

They're also asking the public to help watch out for suspicious activity. "They can make a difference. We can solve the problem. Nothing would make the artist happier than to know the community could help solve the problem."

So they're asking that we all join together in watching over these sculptures. They were entrusted to our community by the artists who created them. And if we all work together we can keep something like this from happening in the future.

The exhibit lasts until May 26th.

Do we pay to have those "works of art" displayed on the bayfront? If so I have an idea for the city managers Challenge Teams, how bout we scrap all that junk sitting out there. There has to be at least a few hundred bucks in scrap copper and steel out there. That should pay for a few more street sweeper passes in Newtown. Keeping Sarasota Beautiful.......

AMEN, OR BETTER YET HIRE A SG15 FOR SECUIRTY THEN WE CAN REALLY WE WATCH THEM.

Do we pay to have those "works of art" displayed on the bayfront? If so I have an idea for the city managers Challenge Teams, how bout we scrap all that junk sitting out there. There has to be at least a few hundred bucks in scrap copper and steel out there. That should pay for a few more street sweeper passes in Newtown. Keeping Sarasota Beautiful.......

Don't be ignorant. Some of the sculptures out there are pretty nice. Regardless, no one should be vandalizing anything....period.