Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

Ven Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Close-up view of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Map
Address777 N Tamiami Trail
LocationSarasota, Florida
Coordinates27°20′41″N 82°32′57″W / 27.3448°N 82.5493°W / 27.3448; -82.5493
OwnerSarasota[2]
OperatorSarasota
TypePerforming arts center
Capacity1,741
Acreage80,000 sq ft (7,400 m2)
Construction
Broke groundApril 25, 1968[1]
OpenedJanuary 5, 1970 (1970-01-05)[1]
ArchitectWilliam Wesley Peters
General contractorHenry C. Beck Company
Website
vanwezel.org

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is a performing arts venue located at 777 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida neighboring the Sarasota Bay. The main theater of the 80,000 square feet (7,400 m2) facility contains 1,741 seats.[2]

History

The initial construction of the 1,736-seat hall was partly funded by a bequest from local residents Lewis and Eugenia van Wezel, who donated $400,000 of the total construction cost of $2.5 million.[3]

The architectural design was carried out by William Wesley Peters, of Taliesin Associated Architects, who used seashells as inspiration for the design.

The purple and lavender color scheme was suggested by Frank Lloyd Wright's widow, Olgivanna Lloyd Wright.[4]

The Henry C. Beck Company was general contractor for construction of the hall.[5]

Foundation Controversy

The Van Wezel Foundation was formed in 1987 to support the operations of the performing hall.[6] Then in 2019, the foundation changed its name to the Sarasota Performing Arts Center Foundation, Inc. In addition to supporting the arts education initiatives, the foundation is also raising funds to construct a new performing arts center.[7]

While continuing to operate under its old "Van Wezel" name, the new foundation actively promoted the new hall while denigrating the still functioning hall. This campaign was considered deceptive by the namesake Van Wezel family resulting in a cease and desist request.[8]

In 2023, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall was listed on the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation's 11 to Save, citing "time and environmental threats," including the plans to build a new performing arts center.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b LaHurd, Jeff (May 21, 2018). "Sarasota bayfront designs evoke Van Wezel memories". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "About the Van Wezel". Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  3. ^ University of Florida (October 2018). "Florida's Mid Century Modern Architecture" (PDF). KeepTheVanWezel.com.
  4. ^ "History". Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. November 12, 2008.
  5. ^ "8 Jan 1970, 32 - The Tampa Tribune at Newspapers.com". Retrieved June 30, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Articles of Incorporation". sunbiz.org. May 6, 1987. p. 3.
  7. ^ "Amended and restated articles of incorporation". sunbiz.org. July 8, 2019. p. 3.
  8. ^ Ogles, Jacob (January 2, 2023). "Van Wezel Heirs Protest Using Name to Promote SPAC". SRQ Daily. p. 1.
  9. ^ Dafni Kirkpatrick (August 2, 2023). "Florida Trust for Historic Preservation Announces this year's 11 to Save, Most Endangered Historic Places in Florida" (PDF). Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. Retrieved September 28, 2024.


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