SARASOTA – Michael Shelton, executive director of Embracing Our Differences, announced recently that Embracing Our Differences (EOD) and Louies Modern were selected by the editors of Biz 941 as the Best Business Partnership in the 2014 Giving Challenge. The non-profit organization promoting diversity and the downtown Sarasota restaurant joined forces to present “Louies Embraces Thor’s Differences,” an event that took place at Louies Modern during the 2014 Giving Challenge on May 6.
The free event featured artwork from EOD’s past and present exhibits, live music, and an opportunity to meet EOD docents, artists and supporters. The initiative also included a 30-second video about Thor, an adorable Maltese puppy who is denied entrance at several restaurants before being warmly welcomed at Louies Modern. As the winning non-profit, Embracing Our Differences was awarded a $5,000 grant by the 2014 Giving Challenge.
“We liked the freshness and excitement of this event,” says Susan Burns, editor of Biz 941, adding that her judges also enjoyed the “Thor-tini,” a cocktail invented for the occasion. “It showed great success attracting young professionals and new blood to the cause.” Burns adds that they especially liked the 30-second video of Thor and the fact that the owner of Louies Modern, Steve Seidensticker, made a substantial pledge that night, solidifying his support of the organization.
Shelton says that the event and video was a team effort directed by Sarah Wertheimer, EOD’s associate executive director. When he and his Maltese puppy, Thor, were turned away from a downtown restaurant recently, he ended up at Louies Modern. It was the start of a beautiful collaboration.
“It was our first visit to Louies Modern and we were made to feel welcome—even though Thor is a dog,” says Shelton. “This is bigger than just allowing man's best friend to be with their human companions. The Seidensticker family are accepting, open-minded people who are always looking for ways to enhance their customers’ experience. It's a heartwarming demonstration of how diversity and inclusion are good for business.”
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County, The Patterson Foundation, Manatee Community Foundation, William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, Charlotte Community Foundation, and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation partnered to make the 2014 Giving Challenge possible for local organizations with completed profiles in The Giving Partner, an online tool helping donors make more informed decisions about philanthropy.
Since 2004, Embracing Our Differences' annual juried art exhibit has graced downtown Sarasota's bayfront with billboard-sized images created by artists, writers and students from around the world reflecting their interpretation of the message, “enriching lives through diversity.” Last year, in celebration of the exhibit’s tenth anniversary, the exhibit made a successful debut in Bradenton and returned there this year for an expanded two-month run. The Embracing Our Differences exhibits are being showcased simultaneously in Sarasota's Island Park and at Bradenton's Riverwalk through May.
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Embracing Our Differences’ annual outdoor exhibits are the heart of a year-round program of activities designed to use art as a catalyst to create awareness and promote diversity. Aside from the annual outdoor exhibition, Embracing Our Differences' ongoing educational outreach programs and initiatives include:
Teacher workshops developed by nationally acclaimed educators to provide curricula and lesson plans relating to art appreciation, character building and diversity education. These include: