New Murals Celebrate Sarasota Chamber’s Centennial Anniversary

SARASOTA, FL — The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce unveiled two new 30-foot murals Wednesday in celebration of its centennial anniversary.

The murals, painted on the chamber building at 1945 Fruitville Road, are a “colorful celebration” of the organization’s history, and a “representation of 100 years of achievements and leaders” in the Sarasota community, Caitlin Bolton, the chamber’s communication specialist said in an email.

The works depict images of historic figures in Sarasota. The mural painted on the building’s western wall include images of John and Charles Ringling, Bertha Honore Palmer, Arthur Britton Edwards, Owen Burns, and Lewis Colson. The eastern wall features depictions of John Hamilton Gillespie, Rose Wilson and Emma E. Booker.

The project was mostly funded by the Paint Sarasota with Love program, a partnership between the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, the Public Art Committee and the city of Sarasota. Through Paint Sarasota with Love, they secure grant funding to commission public art by local artists.

Artist Matt Myers is a graduate of Ringling College Art & Design, where he studied illustration. He recently joined the college's faculty.

As a freelance artist, much of Myers' work has centered on creating murals and other site-specific artwork, primarily for the hospitality industry. His commercial client list includes Sheraton, Marriott, Hyatt, and Wyndham hotels, as well as Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Seabourne, and Princess Cruise Lines. His large-scale work can also be seen in several Disney Resorts.