The City of North Port is proud to announce that the 2023 Embracing Our Differences (EOD) exhibit will be on display at Butler Park from March 22 through April 19. The exhibit features 50 billboard-sized images created by local, national and international artists, writers and students reflecting their interpretations of the theme “enriching lives through diversity and inclusion.”

The exhibit will celebrate its 20^th anniversary this year as well as its expansion into North Port with a Grand Opening Celebration on March 25 from noon to 3 p.m. at Butler Park, 6205 W. Price Blvd. This free event will feature local arts and education organizations that will have interactive, kid-friendly activities at their booths. Food trucks will be onsite for guests to enjoy, as well as docent-led tours of the exhibition. The Grand Opening Celebration was graciously underwritten by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

“We’re excited to have been asked to display the 2023 exhibit at Butler Park in North Port,” said Sarah Wertheimer, Executive Director of EOD. “Today, the message of Embracing our Differences—that of inclusion, respect and kindness—is more vital than ever.”

The 2022 exhibit was held at Bayfront Park in Sarasota and welcomed 371,256 visitors, bringing total attendance, since 2004, to more than four million. The exhibit is the heart of a year-round program of activities designed to use art as a catalyst to create awareness and promote diversity.

“We are thrilled that Embracing Our Differences has expanded to North Port for its annual exhibition. For 20 years, this non-profit has used the power of art to promote the themes of kindness and unity, qualities that are embodied by the people of our city,” said Jerome Fletcher, City Manager. “We’d like to thank EOD for giving us the opportunity to welcome visitors to North Port and showcase our beautiful parks and friendly community.”

For more information about Embracing Our Differences, call 941-404-5710, or visit EmbracingOurDifferences.org.