2 p.m. ceremony planned at entrance to Whitaker Gateway Park

A public ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, “to showcase Poly, the newest addition to the City of Sarasota’s Public Art collection,” the City of Sarasota has announced.
The event will take place at the entrance to Whitaker Gateway Park, which stands at 1445 N. Tamiami Trail, a city news release says. The location is adjacent to the statue’s placement within the roundabout at U.S. 41 and 14th Street, the release notes.
City commissioners and artist Josh de Sousa will be present, along with a representative from the city’s Public Art Committee, the release adds. “Limited on-site parking will be available,” the release says.
“Poly is a 20-foot-tall sculpture created by New York-based art studio Hou de Sousa, whose principles are Josh de Sousa and Nancy Hou, the release points out. “Weighing approximately 2.7 tons, Poly was delivered in two pieces to the U.S. 41-14th Street roundabout and installed by the studio’s team in coordination with the Public Works Department,” the release continues. “The statue is illuminated in the evening by affixed lighting structures.”
In September 2019, the sculpture won unanimous City Commission approval, following a “Call to Artists” and a recommendation by the Public Art Committee, the release points out. The piece then was commissioned for $208,000 and acquired through the Public Art fund, which is supported by developers’ fees, the release adds.
“Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) roundabout standards were adhered to when considering the sculpture design and location,” the release notes. “Poly’s height makes the piece prominent while ensuring critical sightlines are maintained for motorists. The design prevents direct through-views, which lowers travel speeds,” the release explains. Thus, drivers can navigate the roundabout safely without distraction, it adds.
Pedestrian crosswalks, which are located away from the roundabout, include hybrid flashing beacons, to alert motorists to people planning to cross the street, the release also notes.
“Poly’s fabrication was halted in early 2020” because of “the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent global supply chain issues,” the release explains. Moreover, the installation “was delayed by prohibitive construction costs associated with the concrete foundation required for the piece.” Finally, in July 2024, the release continues, the City Commission approved a competitive bid for the construction of the foundation.
Video of the installation may be viewed here.
Learn more about the Public Art program and take a virtual tour of the City’s Public Art collection at www.Sarasotafl.gov/PublicArt.