Embracing Identity: The Importance of Art and Its Impact on The Community 

Over spring break, I had the opportunity to visit Boca Grande with a close friend. We stayed at her family’s vacation home. Her family has been coming to Boca Grande for generations, spending summers there and visiting multiple times yearly. Since this area is so familiar to the family, I was able to learn about the island’s history and evolution firsthand. Boca Grande is part of Gasparilla Island, located on the west coast of Florida. It is renowned for its stunning beaches with crystal-clear waters and is one of the richest fishing destinations in the region. The island is characterized by its elegant homes, a vibrant town filled with small businesses, and a strong sense of community built over generations.

On the morning of March 8th, my friend and I set out to explore one of the island’s most notable sculptures. We walked into town and entered a building that housed three different establishments: an art gallery featuring printed artwork and watercolor paintings of the island’s beaches, a card and game store filled with trinkets and books, and an Italian restaurant. The sculpture, Abrazo: Boca Grande Embrace by Emil Slzamora stood in the common area connecting these spaces. It was perfectly suited to its location, naturally drawing in people passing by. As I approached the 320lb bronze statue, I noticed the scent of the sand and the wooden details around the building. The sculpture itself felt rigid and strong, with fine details of the muscular structure of the figure. The figure’s elongated arms and head pressing into the sand evoked a deep sense of empathy as if it was embracing the island with love and reverence. I took a moment to take in the statue and see it in all its glory, and I asked myself: What does this art represent? 

Abrazo: Boca Grande Embrace demonstrated the profound impact of public art in fostering emotional connections and enhancing community identity. This idea is further explored in the scholarly article Place Building: The Contribution of Art and Artistic Entrepreneurship by John Thompson and John Day. The authors examine the economic and non-economic values of public art, emphasizing its role in urban and community development. They first make the argument that art is a catalyst for the audience to engage in an emotional connection, stating, “Art might readily be thought of as something visual and (ideally) pleasing, appreciated for its ability to affect people’s senses and emotions, and creating a reaction. It tells a story; different people see different nuances. For artists, their art captures and expresses how they see the world”( Thomas & Day). The emotional resonance of public sculptures extends beyond one's immediate interaction. Over time, public art becomes ingrained in the society it's placed in, becoming a symbolic form of the historical moments, cultural values, and aspirations of the community, creating a deeper meaning towards the art and leaving the viewer to evoke a sense of emotion.

 Furthermore, the article argues that public art can enhance tourism, and foster social integration. This is explained as “Art, therefore, can affect tourism by making a place more of a visitor attraction; by helping to integrate a community and promote social and leisure activity; and helping to protect against economic and social decline” (Thomas & Day). This illustrates the importance of public art in enriching community identity and catalyzing social cohesion. By fostering shared experiences and drawing in newcomers, public art strengthens connections in every surrounding environment. Its impact extends beyond aesthetics, driving both economic and social growth and instilling a deep sense of pride and belonging within the community.

Public art strengthens emotional bonds and shapes collective identity.  The statue, Abrazo: Boca Grande Embrace, exemplifies this, offering a meaningful depiction of Boca Grande conveying emotions of love and passion, symbolizing the island’s residents. The next time you encounter a piece of public art—whether on a walk, on campus, in a park, or inside a building—take a moment to reflect. How does it make you feel? Does it brighten your day, evoke a memory, or serve as a sign?  Also take a moment, to look around, are others drawn in by its presence? Art surrounds everyone in their daily lives, yet we often don’t think twice in regards to it. However, if you take the time to interact with the artwork, you will learn that art connects individuals across space and time, inviting them to a shared experience that is both deeply personal and creates collective meaning. Public art bridges the divide between people by uniting them, and individuals allowing it to do so can strengthen relationships with themselves and their community. 

Works Cited

Thompson, J., & Day, J. (2024). Place building: The contribution of art and artistic entrepreneurship. Local Economy, 38(6), 521-537. https://doi.org/10.1177/02690942241241256 (Original work published 2023)