Since 2004, Embracing Our Differences has used the power of art and prose to promote inclusion, kindness and respect. One way we accomplish this is through our annual international art exhibition in Florida's Cultural Coast at Sarasota’s Bayfront Park and St. Petersburg's Poynter Park. The juried exhibition consists of 50 billboard-sized works of art, each accompanied by a thought-provoking quotation.
The winning artworks combine a deep understanding of both medium and message. Awards are given for "Best-in-Show Adult," "Best-in-Show Student," and "People's Choice" categories, with the last chosen by visitors to the exhibition. Adult winners each receive $2,000; students receive $2,000 to be split with their school’s art or writing program.
The statements accompanying each artwork are also vital and provide insight into our common humanity—as well as the differences that make us all unique. The artwork and quotations are separate competitions, judged blindly by separate volunteer committees, and matched together for this exhibition. In 2025, 382,340 people visited the exhibition—bringing the total amount of visitors to more than 5.2 million since 2004.
The 2026 Exhibition had an impressive response to the call for artwork and quotations, with 14,904 entries pouring in from 125 countries and 48 states. Students from 574 schools around the world submitted artwork or quotations to the juried exhibition and more than 60% of submissions were from students.
Embracing Our Differences’ annual outdoor exhibition is at the heart of a year-round program of activities designed to use art as a catalyst to create awareness and promote inclusion, kindness and respect.
Also crucial to our mission are our ongoing education initiatives. Presented in partnership with regional school districts and nationally recognized educators, these programs positively impact the lives of thousands of area teachers and students every year. These include workshops and retreats that provide curricula for area educators, free bus transportation for students and teachers to visit cultural venues, and student docent programs in high schools.
Embracing Our Differences continues to lead as one of the largest education programs in southwest Florida. Since 2004, more than 694,000 students have participated including 51,674 students and 2,156 teachers during the 2024-2025 school year alone.
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Assistive listening devices are available for all guided tours.
The exhibition is accessible to people using wheelchairs, including the restrooms.
Any art, or views or expressions within a work of art made by an artist or that of a writer, do not necessarily represent the views of the organization or individual members of its Board of Directors.
