The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall: The Hall on the Edge of the Bay

In Sarasota, Florida on the edge of Sarasota Bay you will find the world famous Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. The Van Wezel has an well-respected history. Construction on The Hall began in 1968 and finalized in 1969. This was a project supported by a number of financial sources, primarily by a generous donation by Lewis and Eugenia Van Wezel in honor of whom The Hall would be named.

 

Heading the architectural planning of the building was Taliesin Associated Architects and Olgivanna Lloyd Wright, wife of the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Olgivanna is known to have personally chosen a color scheme of lavender and purple which has played a large role in making The Wezel a cultural landmark.

 

The whole thing was headed by the architect William Wesley Peters. The Hall’s signature seashell design was Peters own brainchild. This dominant innovation was inspired by two seashells from the Sea of Japan which remain on display.

 

On January 5, 1970 The Van Wezel opened to a production of Fiddler on the Roof. Today, the Hall remains a world class presenter of performing arts. Each year more than 49,000 students of exposed to the various world forms of theater, music, and dance from around the world. In addition, the 1,736-seat Hall holds on average 140 performances a year.