Payne Park Tennis Center Sculpture Commission

Project Overview
The City of Sarasota’s Public Art Program is pleased to announce the selection of Michael DiCarlo as the artist for a new sculpture commission at Payne Park Tennis Center, located in downtown Sarasota. This project is a collaboration between the Public Art Program and the Parks & Recreation Department to bring art and community together in one of the city’s most active public spaces.

Installation of the sculpture is expected to be complete in 2026.

About the Project
The Payne Park Tennis Center is a popular community facility with 12 Har-Tru courts, the Court 13 pro shop and bar, and a shaded courtyard used daily by residents and visitors. The sculpture will be located in the interior courtyard, a secure and publicly visible space that reflects Sarasota’s creative and active spirit.

This project is funded by the City of Sarasota’s Public Art Program, which is supported through Developer Public Art Contributions. These contributions fund the Program’s efforts to integrate art into public spaces and enhance Sarasota’s built environment.

Selected Commission

"SWING" by Michael DiCarlo (Artist Website)
Brooklyn, New York

Artist Narrative: The sculpture begins with the familiar outline of a tennis racket, a symbol of play and motion, and transforms it into a rising chorus of forms. Each racket arcs and rotates around a central spine, swelling and contracting as if caught mid-swing. Together, they create a spiral of energy, a dance of rhythm and velocity that celebrates both the grace of the game and the vitality of Sarasota itself.

As sunlight passes through the perforated "strings," shadows ripple across the courtyard like echoes of movement. Powder-coated colors bloom in sequence, a spectrum drawn from Gulf sunsets, circus spectacle, and the tropical gardens that surround the courts. The work shimmers between sport and performance, inviting viewers to experience motion even in stillness.

In this compact space, SWING gathers the joy of play, the brilliance of color, and the communal spirit that defines the city. It is both a gesture and a celebration of athletics, artistry, and Sarasota's enduring cultural vibrancy.

Finalists
The Public Art Committee selected three finalists for consideration. While Michael DiCarlo’s design has been chosen for the commission, the other two finalists, Alex Kaufman (St. Petersburg, FL) and Alex Lidagovsky (Kyiv, Ukraine / Oxford, United Kingdom), were recognized for their strong proposals.

• "The Serve" by Alex Kaufman
  The sculpture is a tribute to the physical rhythm of tennis and Sarasota’s creative energy, featuring a concrete hand serving a tennis ball with mosaic accents that capture motion, color, and community vibrancy.

• "Tennis Player" by Alex Lidagovsky
  A minimalist, polished stainless steel figure capturing the precise moment of a tennis serve, reflecting the environment and engaging viewers with motion, rhythm, and connection to the community.
  

Next Steps
With the artist now selected, the project will move into final design development and scheduling. Installation is expected to be complete in 2026.