Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences Murals
The City of Sarasota Public Art Program is proud to partner with the Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences (SSAS) on a multi-phase mural project in the Rosemary District. Proposed through the City’s Call for Walls initiative, the project transforms the exterior of school into a public art site that honors community history while also looking toward the future. The murals are created by artist Kaitlin Kelly, known as Swirly Painter, and contribute to the growing presence of public art in the Rosemary District.
Reverend Lewis and Irene Colson
Completed in summer 2025, Reverend Lewis and Irene Colson honors Sarasota’s first Black settlers and their foundational role in the development of the historic Overtown neighborhood, now known as the Rosemary District. Facing Central Avenue, the mural depicts Reverend Lewis and Irene Colson as central figures in the community, recognizing their leadership, resilience, and lasting impact on Sarasota’s history.
The mural was unveiled during a community dedication ceremony attended by residents, local leaders, and project partners. It was met with broad community appreciation and has since become a significant visual landmark, serving as both a tribute to the past and an educational touchstone within the neighborhood.
Creative Seeds (In Progress)
Building on the Colson mural, a second mural titled Creative Seeds is currently in progress on the north exterior wall of the SSAS campus. While the first mural focuses on history, Creative Seeds looks ahead, highlighting creativity, imagination, and future generations.
The design features symbolic imagery such as seeds, flowers, books, and musical instruments, representing growth, learning, and artistic expression. Rendered in Swirly Painter’s bold and colorful style, the mural reflects the energy of the school and the surrounding neighborhood.
Creative Seeds is expected to be completed by early February. Once finished, it will join Reverend Lewis and Irene Colson as part of a cohesive, long-term public art presence at SSAS, with an agreed-upon longevity period of at least ten years.
Together, these murals demonstrate how the City’s Call for Walls initiative supports partnerships that bring meaningful public art to privately owned spaces and create lasting cultural assets for the community.