20 Years of Embracing Our Differences

Our History

2004

In partnership with the Florida Holocaust Museum, a traveling exhibition, “Coexistence” was brought to Sarasota from Museum on the Seam in Jerusalem, Israel.
Dottie & Bob Garner, Helen & Roy McBean, and Graci & Dennis McGillicuddy co-chaired the first “Coexistence” exhibition.

Piotr Mlodozeniec, Poland

Lanny Sommese, United States

View 2004 Gallery

2005

“Just because people are different doesn’t mean you can’t be their friend.”

Tiara Brown

3rd Grade, Emma E. Booker Elementary School, Sarasota, FL

Community leaders Dennis McGillicuddy, Carroll Buchanan and Michael Shelton obtained nonprofit status for the organization.
The first Embracing Our Differences (EOD) exhibition featuring art submitted by 124 regional artists was held in Bayfront Park.
100,000 community members and 2,000 students visited the exhibition.

Untitled

Daniel Winship, Ringling School of Art + Design, Sarasota, FL

Significant Souls

Patrick Fiore, Sarasota, FL

World

Gregory Rumph II & his 8th Grade Class
Booker Middle School, Sarasota, FL

View 2005 Gallery

2006

“When we look fear of differences squarely in the face, what we really see reflected are our insecurities.”

Ken Shelin

Sarasota, FL

A creative writing component was added to the exhibition through original quotation submissions.
The exhibition received a second viewing at North Port High School in North Port, Florida.
Annual student participation exceeded 7,000.

Marshall Law

Arthur Dillard, Bradenton, FL

One Diverse Human Race

Tiffany Jennings & her NPHS Photography Class
North Port High School, North Port, FL

Forgiveness

Kambria Tabor, Ringling School of Art + Design
Sarasota, FL

View 2006 Gallery

2007

“Don’t look through me, past me, or at me. Look within me and admire my differences.”

Liza Saffo

12th Grade, NewGate School, Sarasota, FL

School-based education initiatives became the focus of the organization.
National submissions were accepted for the first time with more than 1,000 entries from 12 states.
Communities in Ohio and New York presented local Embracing Our Differences exhibitions.

Broken World

Cory Gallagher, 11th Grade, NewGate School, Sarasota, FL, Teachers: Amy Kremer & Jeffery Cornwell

Connections

Marcia Ente, Sarasota, FL

Off White

Miriam Cassell, Sarasota, FL

View 2007 Gallery

2008

“To broaden our horizons, we must narrow our prejudices.”

Randy Thurman

Spring City, TN

International submissions were accepted for the first time with more than 2,000 entries from 30 countries.
Annual student participation exceeded 10,000.
Total visitor attendance since 2004 grew to more than 500,000.
Atlanta presented its own Embracing Our Differences exhibition.

Reserved for the Perfect

Deborah Landry, Porter, IN

Peas in a Pod

Jamie Marchini, 8th Grade
Carlos E. Haile Middle School, Bradenton, FL
Teacher: Dana Sackett

What If?

Gregory Rumph II, Sarasota, FL

View 2008 Gallery

2009

“Our skin is just an envelope.
We are the letter.”

Valanchie Emile

11th Grade, Southeast High School, Bradenton, FL
Teachers: Gosia Stoner & Rena Morano

EOD became the first organization to create and distribute multimedia teacher lesson plans in local schools.
EOD became the first organization to utilize Sarasota County Schools’ video conferencing system, allowing teachers to attend in-service training classes remotely.
Total student participation since 2004 grew to exceed 50,000.

Apples and Oranges

Ashly Lovett, Ringling College of Art + Design, Sarasota, FL, Teacher: Mike Hodges

We Are All Good Friends

Shen Hongying, 1st Grade, Egret River New
Town Elementary, Siming District, Xiamen, China
Teacher: Huang Sefen

No Human Being Is Illegal

Cindy Bendat, Los Angeles, CA

View 2009 Gallery

2010

“Many things can calm the heart. Only kindness can heal it.”

Scott Douglas

6th Grade, Sarasota, FL

The Make-A-Day of It! Program was established with five education partners, benefitting 7,000 students.
The Riverview High School Coexistence Club formed, becoming the school’s largest student club.
Our Student Docent program began with 38 high school docents.

Eye Of The Beholder

Sean D. McDonald, Sarasota, FL

A Smile Is Beautiful In Any Color

Trinity Crosen, Venice Nokomis United Methodist
Preschool, Nokomis, FL, Teacher: Barbara Zier

Diversity Park

Antonio Jesus Orozco, Dallas, TX

View 2010 Gallery

2011

“I never knew how much words hurt until they were aimed at me.”

Kathleen Hagan-Rogerson

7th Grade, Booker Middle School, Sarasota, FL Teachers: Joanna Fox & Lauren Johnson

The Patterson Foundation revealed that 57% of surveyed local teachers participated in our
educational initiatives – more than any other organization.
Our first annual luncheon was held at Michael’s on East with more than 400 guests.
Total visitor attendance since 2004 exceeded 1 million.

Ability Shadow

Jon Berge & Susan Shaw, Columbus, OH

Birds of a Feather

Jordan Oye
7th Grade, Brookside Middle School, Sarasota, FL
Teacher: Anita Wexler

Fragile World

Alison Johnson, Feeding Hills, MA

View 2011 Gallery

2012

“Society tells us how to ‘act,’ ‘exist’ and ‘be.’ We must learn for ourselves how to ‘interact,’ ‘coexist’ and ‘become.’ ”

Gabrielle Holt

11th Grade, Coexistence Club Officer, Riverview High School, Sarasota, FL Teacher: Dena Sturm

The first annual Art Teacher Retreat presented in partnership with Ringling College of Art + Design.
Annual student participation exceeded 23,000 from 186 schools.
Submissions grew to more than 4,500 – from 53 countries, 40 states and 127 schools.

Don’t be a Clone

Rachel St. Denis, 12th Grade, Manasquan High School, Manasquan, NJ, Teacher: Carolyn Treney

Yourself

Alina Căprioară
10th Grade, Alexandru Ioan Cuza National College
Galati, Romania, Teacher: Silvia Rapiteanu

Life’s Library

Andrea Rankin, Sarasota County Tech Institute
Sarasota, FL, Teacher: April J. Irwin

View 2012 Gallery

2013

“No one deserves to be limited by another’s perspective.”

Grace Castilow

7th Grade, Booker Middle School, Sarasota, FL
Teacher: Joanna Fox

EOD received The Patterson Foundation’s Collaborative Innovator Award & President Barack Obama’s Volunteer Service Award.
The exhibition received a second viewing at Bradenton’s Riverwalk Park.
The Coexistence Club program expanded to North Port and Southeast high schools.

It’s All Up to You Now

Wade Turner, 10th Grade, Booker High School, Sarasota, FL, Teacher: Jeffery Cornwell

Cyber Bullying: Beware of the Big Bad Predator

Steven Staub, Bobby Alvarez & Gennadity Kazimirov
7th Grade, Heron Creek Middle School
North Port, FL, Teacher: Dottie Cory

Differences Work, Just Ask a Fork

Liat Waks, Petah Tiqwa, Israel

View 2013 Gallery

2014

“It shouldn’t take reading this quote to know that you should accept people for whom they are.”

Zachary Lasebny

8th Grade, Louise R. Johnson Middle School
Bradenton, FL, Teacher: Xu Dou

Submissions grew to 6,079, representing 52 countries, 44 states and 126 schools.
The first Embracing Our Differences Reading Day involved 121 volunteers and 2,798 students.
Annual student participation grew to over 30,000.

Bridging the Gap

Tobias Norton, Sarasota, FL

Pressure and Tension

Marija Dorić, Westfield, IN

wePhones

Elise Raimon, 7th Grade, Carlos E. Haile Middle
Bradenton, FL, Teacher: Joseph Gibson

View 2014 Gallery

2015

“When you judge me, you show the person that you are, not the person that I am.”

Jasmin Maldonado

7th Grade, Louise R. Johnson Middle School, Bradenton, FL
Teacher: Mary J. O’Brien

EOD was honored with the 2015 WEDU Be More Enriched Award.
The Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading becomes an Embracing Our Differences Reading Day partner.
Total visitor attendance since 2004 exceeded 2.1 million.

A Duet is Often Better Than a Solo

Mackenzie R., 8th Grade, Venice Middle School - Venice, Florida
Teacher: Lisa Jodwalis

Encourage Me

Ahmed Sami, Kuwait City, Kuwait

Black & White

Tinot Asso, Girona, Spain

View 2015 Gallery

2016

“Night and day are exact opposites but they come together to make a beautiful sunset.”

Josslynn Oran

6th Grade, McIntosh Middle School, Sarasota, FL
Teacher: Valerie Montgomery

An Embracing Our Differences inspired sculpture was unveiled in downtown Sarasota at the Main St. and Orange Ave. roundabout.
More than 5,000 students attended live performances from an anti-bullying music tour sponsored by Embracing Our Differences.
EOD received the Diversity & Inclusion Award from the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs.

Ability to Change

Zach Sherman, 10th Grade, Booker High School, Sarasota, FL, Teacher: Jeffery Cornwell

Hate Tears Us Apart

Claudia Ramirez, Stamford, CT

Planting Peace

Chad Glass, Canyon Lake, TX

View 2016 Gallery

2017

“If you don’t fit into a scene, always remember there is a bigger picture.”

Jessica Ritchie

6th Grade, Sarasota Middle School, Sarasota, FL
Teacher: Lindsay Marks

Submissions grew to 10,761, representing 115 countries, 48 states and 204 schools.
EOD was honored as a WEDU Non-Profit of the Year Award finalist.
A special EOD Exhibition was presented at the 2017 World Rowing Championships at Nathan Benderson Park.

Everyone Has Their Own Spot

Caleb Mathews, Warrenton, VA

Pulse, Pride, Hope

Dylan Caçador, Smithfield, RI

Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil

Carly Stafford, 12th Grade, Booker High School
Sarasota, FL, Teacher: Jeffery Cornwell

View 2017 Gallery

2018

“If your heart opens, doors will too.”

Hayley Peace

6th Grade, Pine View School, Osprey, FL
Teacher: Fran Squires, M. Ed.

The 15th Anniversary exhibition presented 15 Best of the Past artworks.
The Unity Day program was implemented in Sarasota County high schools for the first time.
The first Bucket Fillers Reading Day involved 2,380 students in 160 classrooms.

The New Rosie the Riveter

Elisa Uzcategui, 8th Grade, Sarasota Military Academy Prep, Sarasota, FL, Teacher: Pam Kok

Progression of Hope

Mary Chen, 11th Grade
York Mills Collegiate Institute, Toronto, Canada
Teacher: Titi Olubuyide

Choice

Larisa Okhotna, Svitlovodsk, Ukraine

View 2018 Gallery

2019

“Have the courage to stand up for what’s right, and have the wisdom to sit down and talk.”

Seth Morano

12th Grade, Booker High School, Sarasota, FL

In partnership with the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect, 5,700 students experienced live performances of Letters from Anne & Martin.
Our Education Ambassador program was launched with 25 teachers and guidance counselors participating in year-long programming.
The exhibition received 11,791 submissions representing 111 counties and 239 schools.

One World – One Heart

Anna Zigel, Boyarka, Ukraine

United in a Quest for Knowledge

Anna Wright
7th Grade, Louise R. Johnson Middle School
Bradenton, FL, Teacher: Jeannie Mendez

Share the Love

Jie Lu, Melbourne, Australia

View 2019 Gallery

2020

“If you stand by, then who will stand up?”

Brian Hendricks

6th Grade, Pine View School, Osprey, FL
Teacher: Fran Squires, M.Ed.

The Unity Day program expanded to all public Sarasota County high schools.
The exhibition was extended by two months to provide the only outdoor art opportunity for our community at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virtual field trips and curriculum were created to accommodate at-home learning.
A four-year renewable College Scholarship program was created for graduating Coexistence Club members.

Can I Touch Your Hair?

Habib Hajallie, Dartford, United Kingdom

I Have a Dream

Shangxi Wu, 11th Grade, Pleasanton

El Sueño Americano

Clifford McDonald, Sarasota, FL

View 2020 Gallery

2021

“If we were to exchange shoes, would you be willing to wear mine?”

Temilola Aderemi

Ibafo, Nigeria

The Coexistence Clubs program expanded to 12 schools, including two middle schools.
An exhibition encore was presented at Nathan Benderson Park, underwritten by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation.
A mini exhibition was displayed at Ed Smith Stadium during the Orioles’ spring training.
Field trips were offered in multiple modalities – in-person, virtual-live, and on-demand, allowing other states and countries to participate for the first time.

Liberty Enlightening the World

Arya Badiyan, Lake Oswego, OR

Infusion of Love

Joanna Davis, Venice, FL

Small Struggles

Emily Norris, 7th Grade, Sarasota Middle School
Sarasota, FL, Teacher: Brooks Tracey

View 2021 Gallery

2022

“We are so much better united in kindness than divided in anger.”

Alicia Chalmers

Bradenton, FL

Annual visitor attendance grew to 371,256.
EOD was featured on the national news for the first time via PBS NewsHour with Charlayne Hunter-Gault.
The Oneness of Art initiative brought together neurodivergent youth, homeless adults, diverse students and local artists for community-driven creative expression.

Threat?

Alexis Thompson, Roxboro, NC

Cultural Buffet

Mia Gonzalez, 9th Grade
Parrish Community High School, Parrish, FL

Cultivation

Samantha Miller, Sarasota, FL

View 2022 Gallery

2023

“It takes more courage to speak in a silent room than to become another voice in a crowd.”

Alexis Morrell

Wolcott, CT

Grand opening celebration at Bayfront Park brought over 3,000 community members and 10 community partners together alongside exhibition artists and quoters.
Exhibition received a second viewing at Butler Park in North Port, Florida.
Total visitor attendance since 2004 exceeded 4.3 million.
Eleven new and recurring Coexistence Club Scholarships of $1,000 provided to graduating high school and current college students.

We Are All Pearls

Whittney de Araújo, Recife, Brazil

Stretching Beauty

Alexis Lee, 10th Grade, Icon Art Academy
Irvine, CA, Teacher: Song Yi Park

If We All Held Hands

Eric Appelquist, Moline, Illinois

View 2023 Gallery

2024

“Spread kindness like the world depends on it...because it does.”

Jessie Ochsendorf

7th Grade, Pine View School, Osprey, Florida
Teacher: Susy Grandusky

For the first time in 21 years, the annual exhibition was shown in St. Petersburg, FL.
19,955 books were donated to students and educators through the Bucket Fillers and Embracing Our Differences Reading Day programs.
A special showcase of 14 banners with artworks and quotations spanning 20 years was exhibited on Sarasota Art Museum's front lawn.

Friendsheeps

Ruth Schmidt, Budapest, Hungary

'Hand'le with Care

Samantha Dennis, Woodbridge, Canada

Are My Roots Showing?

Sylvia Tirado, 11th Grade, Wycombe Abbey
Ascot, United Kingdom

View 2024 Gallery

2025

“Choosing to speak when others are silent is an act of bravery this world needs.“

Kim Howard

Bloomington, Indiana

For the second year, EOD partnered with Sarasota Art Museum for a special exhibition, “Embracing Kindness;” this year celebrated local artist and educator, Jeffery Cornwell.
14,470 books were distributed during Embracing Our Differences Reading Day, marking a record-breaking milestone in the program’s history.
We successfully launched an adult docent tour program that engaged over 680 participants across Sarasota and St. Petersburg.

Nevertheless

Junho Chung, 11th Grade, Brooks School, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Teacher: Jaiwon Lee

Dialog

Angelica Harisova, Tselina, Russia

Through Your Story

Amanda Marie, Manchester, Connecticut

View 2025 Gallery