Graffiti-pop artist Clay Olson hopes to leave his colorful, graffiti-speckled mark on Sarasota in preparation for his second solo exhibition, titled “Ride ‘em Indian.” Consisting of 20 new pieces containing a Ben-Day dot-spin on iconic Native Americans such as Sitting Bull and Old West gunslingers such as Doc Holiday, the collection was inspired by Olson’s fascination with facial expressions, particularly within the Native American culture. “I love to work with Indian faces because they contain such strong emotion. It’s hard to resist being pulled into the history behind each piece,” Olson states. “And [...]

Already a creative incubator for musicians and filmmakers, Sarasota is finally taking a crack at becoming a city recognized for another artistic empire: fashion design. With new clothing boutiques popping up in the downtown core and the addition of SRQ Fashion Week, city merchants have a unique opportunity to support local talent by purchasing ready-to-wear lines created within the city limits. Presently, however, little to no support is available. Local designers have limited choices regarding where to sell their creations, leading many to move their studios to prominent cities where [...]

Pop Graffiti artist Clay Olson moved from Michigan to Sarasota, Florida in his mid-twenties, when he began honing his skills as an artist. Olson’s signature technique is to stack layers of hand-cut stencils, creating a distinct image through splashes of vibrant color. His inspiration is drawn through raw photography and a soundtrack of punk, classic rock, and indie music. Pop art fans may find traces of Warhol, Pollock or Lichtenstein in his work. Olson’s first exhibition ‘Disco Indian Rocker’ brings together 40 original pieces, conveying a sense of enthusiasm and [...]