Ringling College Of Art Students Create A Colorful Mural
At Sarasota Jungle Garden's Playground

    Posted August 18, 2009

    One of Sarasota's more popular family attractions is about to get a bit of a facelift thanks to the efforts of some local art students.  An alligator with a toothy grin, a flamingo, and a tortoise with a bumpy shell will all come alive August 22nd when over 100 Ringling College of Art & Design students converge on the new playground at Sarasota Jungle Garden on Bay Shore Road here in Sarasota. They'll be armed with exterior water-based latex paint, paint brushes and loads of enthusiasm.

    The art students’ canvas will be a 250 foot long, 6 foot high wooden fence on the perimeter of the playground. They will transform the fence into a colorful mural featuring monkeys, snakes, macaws, and other Sarasota Jungle Garden animal inhabitants.

    The Ringling College of Art and Design students are involved in the Glass Fellowship Summer Program.  Ringling College Coordinator of Student Volunteerism, Rachel Levey-Baker, says “The program offers a way for students to give back to the community with their artistic talents while engaging in learning a experience that complements their coursework."  Chris Lavick, General Manager of Sarasota Jungle Gardens, is excited about the new partnership. “We want to give back to the community. Through this collaboration we are able support the Ringling students’ in their education and provide our guests a scenic mural that will be enjoyed for generations,” he said.

    This massive mural has been weeks in the making.  First, a team of second and fourth year Ringling students designed the mural.  That image was then projected with a projector at night and the outlines sketched on the fence. Now, about 100 incoming freshman Ringling College of Art and Design students along with the original nine designers of the mural and several staff members will paint the mural.

    The playground at Sarasota Jungle Garden is a "work in progress" with this mural being just the first phase. Installation of new playground equipment is planned along with an upgraded surface area. Watch us come to life!

    Like the donation by local Rotary Clubs of playground shade reported upon previously here, this collaborative effort at a local playground is one more example of the community-oriented spirit of so many Sarasota area residents and organizations, and one more reason why so many people choose to live and work in the Sarasota Florida area.

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