As the cultural center of the Gulf Coast, Sarasota is home to museums like The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art which owns a world-renowned collection of paintings by the Flemish artist, Peter Paul Rubens.

Less well known is that Sarasota has a significant public art collection including sculptures and murals. John Ringling donated the first pieces of public art in the 1920s and the collection has grown over time.

There is now a City of Sarasota Public Art Committee that "facilitates the creation and exhibition of a wide variety of publicly and privately initiated artworks through commissions, acquisitions, donations, and loans."

These works of art are sprinkled around the city and you may drive by them every day without a second glance. But these treasures deserve our attention as much of the artworks behind the walls of our notable museums. John Ringling is quoted as having said, "There are no great cities without great art." That includes public art. A New York Times article last week documented that art is "proliferating in the public square."

Sarasota is a great city, admired by visitors who come here from around the world to enjoy our museums, symphony, opera, theaters, ballet, and performing arts hall. Our public art should be included when we claim bragging rights.

Here are just a few of these pieces of art, a couple taken from my car window, to whet your appetite. You can see all the pieces in a picture book recently published called "Public Art. Public Spaces. The Sarasota Collection" that is available for download here. Enjoy!