Newtown: A Beautiful Place

This project, completed in May 2021, is a collaboration between Sarasota residents spoken word poet Cedric Hameed and painter Clifford McDonald. While Cliff grew up in the Newtown neighborhood, Cedric recently moved to Sarasota from New York City. Both men are actively engaged in the community working with at-risk children as teachers and mentors and both share a strong belief that art has the power to change lives and inspire the best in us. Part of the celebration of Sarasota County’s centennial, this collaboration also involves an event presented through Selby Library.

Cedric’s statement: The goal of both pieces is to create a horizon of inspiration, healing, and creativity. Before anything comes into fruition, it has to be felt, thought, or visualized. If we can accomplish any of these feelings with these pieces, sincerely we believe each one of us can reflect our core necessities.  At our core, is not only need, but our universal potential to create out of love using the lens of beauty!  Our footsteps are all pathways to this place of beauty!

Cliff’s statement: The transformative power of the arts is undeniable. It can heal, spread hope, inspire, enlighten. The model for my painting is Booker alumni, Syesha Mercado who attended Booker High and went on to become a successful singer, songwriter, actress and model. Each of the road signs in the painting represent the location of a school in Sarasota that bear the name of Emma Booker who was an inspirational educator in the early African-American community: Emma E. Booker Elementary, Booker Middle and Booker High.