FLUID IMPRESSIONS: THE PAINTINGS OF SYD SOLOMON
NOVEMBER 6, 2023 – MARCH 22, 2024
Lois and David Stulberg Gallery 

The Ringling College Galleries + Exhibitions Department, along with the students enrolled in the Role of the Curator class within the Business of Art and Design Department, are pleased to present Fluid Impressions: The Paintings of Syd Solomon; an immersive collection featuring expressive, storytelling paintings from Abstract Impressionist, Syd Solomon.   

One of Sarasota’s most influential artists, Syd Solomon, created abstract paintings that distinctly capture the essence of natural elements shaped by his surroundings and life experiences. His artistic sensibilities proved invaluable during the early days of WWII. Even years following his passing, the enduring impact of one of the city's most influential artists still persists. 

This exhibition was led by a student curatorial team who applied, and were selected, to participate in a semester-long class titled Role of the Curator. The students were provided a hands-on overview of how to successfully produce a blue-chip exhibition as well as other related arts disciplines that included business practices and entrepreneurship. This exhibition features not only Solomon’s visually stimulating paintings, but also bridges together the important stories from Sarasota’s history while preserving Solomon’s legacy in the art world.  

Fluid Impressions was made possible by the generous loan of three dozen paintings from the private collection of Dr. Richard and Pamela Mones. 

BIO:
Born in 1917, Solomon was raised in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Taking up painting in his high school years at Wilkes-Barre, he moved on to working in advertising while taking classes at the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1941, he enlisted in the army, establishing the most formative period of his life, both in his artistic career and major achievements.  

Solomon was able to utilize his perceptive talents when he joined the war effort to create camouflage instruction manuals, and was allocated to the First Camouflage Battalion of the US Army. In 1941, he married Ann Francine Cohen. The couple moved to Fort Ord, California where Solomon was instructed to camouflage the coast to protect from potential aerial bombings. Solomon’s journey with camouflage resulted in works that are both visually stunning and intellectually engaging. His talents in the Army saved lives, leading him to receive, among other commendations, five bronze stars.   

After the Battle of the Bulge, Syd suffered from frostbite, leading Annie and himself to settle in sunny Sarasota, Florida. Soon after, he became friends with Ringling Museum's first director, Arthur Everett “Chick” Austin, Jr., leading him to become the first contemporary artist to have work bought by the museum. In late 1964, he created the Institute of Fine Art at New College in Sarasota. His influence in the artistic community brought A-list critics and contemporary artists to Sarasota. Solomon valued the importance of teaching the next generation of artists. This breathtaking exhibition serves as a tribute to his life’s work and his contributions to the artistic community within Sarasota.   

THANK YOU: 
This exhibition is sponsored by The Community Foundation of Sarasota County, The Exchange, SRQ Media Group, JP Morgan Chase, Home Resource, and WUSF. This exhibition is also supported by Dr. Richard and Pamela Mones.