The City of Sarasota erased hundreds of sidewalk paintings as part of the State’s crackdown on roadway art.
The City says it had no choice but to erase the sidewalk art showcasing Sarasota’s history and famous residents, including John Ringling.
At last week’s city commission meeting, the interim city manager said it isn’t just state money to pay for road projects that would be at-risk. He said all $67 million the state is set to send to the city could’ve been withheld if they didn’t comply with FDOT before last Thursday’s deadline
Sarasota is erasing its popular sidewalk art, known as the Avenue of Art Sarasota, to comply with a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) mandate following a new state law signed by Governor DeSantis.
Citing concerns about public safety, including potential confusion for drivers and autonomous vehicles, FDOT is prohibiting pavement art in public rights-of-way, and the city risks losing millions in state funding if it fails to remove the art. The decision has sparked outrage among artists and residents who view the art as a beloved cultural asset.
For years, the sidewalks in areas like Burns Court had hundreds of murals depicting the city’s history and famous residents. These murals were part of a project supported by the Sarasota International Chalk Festival, bringing in tourists and serving as a walking tour of the city’s culture.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the U.S. Department of Transportation have issued directives banning pavement art on sidewalks and crosswalks. FDOT claims these visuals can confuse both drivers and pedestrians and interfere with autonomous vehicles, jeopardizing public safety.
Artists and residents have expressed outrage and called the removal a “traumatic” experience and an attack on community identity. Community members have organized protests and rallies to defend the art.
