Sarasota Sidewalk Art | Burns Court’s Outdoor Gallery

What a pleasant surprise to stumble upon this gorgeous Sarasota sidewalk art. Some strolls stay with you long after the walk is over. For me, one of those was in April 2022, when I first noticed the colorful sidewalk murals in Burns Square, just south of downtown. The paint was already fading from the sun and steady foot traffic, but that almost made them more endearing. A splash of color here, a circus wagon there — little glimpses of Sarasota’s story right underfoot.

Two years later, in May 2024, I returned with my wife and kids and found the sidewalks alive with creativity. From South Pineapple to South Orange, nearly every square of pavement had been transformed into a panel of art. Some were playful, some historical, and others quietly powerful. We didn’t just stroll that afternoon — we lingered over every mural, turning a few blocks into hours of discovery.

Burns Court: An Open-Air Gallery

The project, called the Avenue of Art, grew out of the inspiration of Denise Kowal’s Avenida de Colores 501c3 Cultural Arts Organization, which had already made Sarasota famous for world-class chalk illusions. The idea here was simple but brilliant: bring permanent art to the sidewalks so history, humor, and community spirit could be part of everyday life.

Artists began by sprinkling panels throughout Burns Court in 2022, then expanded until entire sidewalks became one continuous gallery. Each square was a window into Sarasota’s character — a neighborhood turned canvas.

Fun Fact

Burns Court itself has its own history of artistry. Developed in the 1920s by Owen Burns, its Spanish-style buildings and narrow streets have long been a backdrop for Sarasota’s creative and foodie scene. Think Owen's Fish Camp.

Sarasota’s Story in Panels

What I loved most about the Avenue of Art was how much of Sarasota’s story it told. Some panels took you back to the earliest days, while others simply made you smile.

Of course, not everything was serious. When was the last time you saw an octopus clutching a pineapple or adorable manatees?

Fun Fact

Every October, Burns Court gets a little spooky. Effigies dressed as “creatures” lean out from second-story windows along South Pineapple — a reminder to look up while you stroll. It’s the kind of scene that makes you think Rockwell’s 1984 hit “Somebody’s Watching Me” might have been written for this street.

A Family Memory

That May afternoon with my family wasn’t just another Sarasota outing. My kids laughed at the whimsical panels, my wife pointed out the historic tributes, and I found myself just soaking it all in — grateful that our city’s story had been told in such a public, creative way.

We covered only a few blocks, but it felt like a full afternoon. Every panel pulled us in, made us pause, and gave us something new to talk about. It was art you couldn’t just look at — you had to walk through it.

Murals on walls make a statement. Murals on sidewalks invite you to step into them. That was the magic of Burns Court’s Avenue of Art — art that you literally walked across, connecting you to Sarasota’s culture in the most ordinary yet extraordinary way.

It didn’t just decorate the neighborhood; it slowed people down, sparked conversations, and gave Sarasota one more way to celebrate its creativity in public view.

Looking back at those walks in 2022 and 2024, I’m reminded that art doesn’t have to hang in a gallery to matter. Sometimes the most powerful art is the kind that slips into your everyday path, catching you by surprise, making you laugh, making you think.

The Avenue of Art turned ordinary sidewalks into a shared story — one made up of Sarasota’s history, its characters, its landmarks, and its hopes. For me, it was never just about the murals themselves, but the feeling they created: a sense of connection, community, and pride in this place we call home.

Not-So-Fun Fact

For years, Sarasota’s sidewalks bloomed with colorful art panels celebrating our history and culture. But, as often happens, a few groups pushed the boundaries, and in response the Florida Legislature began strictly enforcing laws against street and sidewalk drawings. A good thing that many enjoyed was lost because of a few.

Closing Reflection & Invitation

🎨 Want to see more art that transforms everyday spaces? Explore the Chalk Festival, the international event that inspired projects like Burns Court’s Avenue of Art.

📅 Curious about what’s happening this week and beyond? Check out the Sarasota Lifestyle Events Calendar for festivals, exhibits, and local experiences you won’t want to miss.

🖌️ And if you’re drawn to Sarasota’s colorful walls as much as its sidewalks, dive into our guide to Wall Murals Around Sarasota— iconic, edgy, and tropical murals that bring the city’s stories to life.

Art comes and goes, but the memories it creates last forever.