Ninth-grader Raeanna Michael submitted a personal quote to the annual Embracing Our Differences exhibit for fun, never imagining that she’d be picked as a winner. As a winner of the student quote submission, her’s will be displayed alongside artwork in the Embracing Our Difference exhibit in downtown Sarasota.
This was Michael’s first time submitting quote about diversity for the exhibit, which learned about from English teacher Megan O’Mahony. O’Mahony had all her students work on a quote submission as a class assignment, and took a particular interest in Michael’s quote:
“Don’t be adverse to being diverse.”
“My teacher responded to my quote by saying it was ‘cute and catchy,’ so I thought, ‘Hey, I might as well submit it.'” Michael said.
The centerpiece of Embracing Our Differences is an outdoor international art exhibit based in Sarasota featuring 45 billboard size images created by artists , writers, and students across the world reflecting their interpretations of the theme “enriching lives through diversity.”
Embracing Our Differences is centered on the belief that diversity is one of the world’s greatest assets. Their goal is to create a community where uniqueness and inclusion are valued. Each year, the Embracing Our Differences international art exhibit gets bigger. Last year, at the 13th annual exhibit, it hosted 2,300,000 visitors. This year, the exhibit received submissions representing schools from places across the world like as India, Iran, Israel, Vietnam and South Korea.
Because Michael’s quote was chosen as a winner, it will be featured at the ‘Embracing Our Differences’ exhibition downtown. The submission was selected from over 10,000 entries received from 115 countries around the world. Beginning April 1, the exhibit will be displayed in Island Park on the Sarasota Bayfront until May 31. A reception will be held at the Ringling College of Art and Design on April 24 at 6:00 p.m. for winners like Michael.