SARASOTA, FL (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) – The Van Wezel Hall will soon have their new electronic marquee installed and unveiled during the week of November 3rd on the corner of SR 41 and 10th Street.
The long awaited sign was put on the back burner for several years prior to hiring the new Executive Director, Mary Bensel. Bensel noticed the lack of signage to announce upcoming performances at the Hall and took this project on immediately when she arrived. The sign was championed by Van Wezel Advisory Board Chairman, Paul Thorpe and the Advisory Board who took an active roll in selecting the sign.
“The electronic sign not only announces upcoming shows, but also reflects an added value for obtaining sponsors, giving them much more exposure.”, Bensel stated. In addition to the obvious, the electronic sign will be utilized in various capacities such as, “Amber and Silver Alerts”, emergency evacuation information and supporting the Hall’s numerous and valuable education programs for the area. The sign will also highlight the performances of Van Wezel rental organizations including the Sarasota Ballet, Sarasota Orchestra, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Foundation, the Sarasota Concert Association and the Ringling Town Hall Lecture Series to name a few. “In addition to helping sell more tickets to our shows we are thrilled to be able to help so many other organizations who make the Hall their home as well as emergency notifications to the area’s citizens”, Bensel said.
In keeping with the beautification of the City of Sarasota and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the new electronic sign structure reflects the design of the Hall itself and keeps within the color scheme. It is a state-of-the-arts piece of equipment that requires no sign message software. Editing and control of the sign will be done directly from the computer at the Hall.
From the technical aspect, the LED modules features an all-weather full encapsulation in a bed of silicone gel assisting in the preservation of the LED’s around the salt spray and temperatures down to 40 degrees F. The long life 100,000 hour LED’s are up to 90% more efficient than incandescent lamps and keeps within the City Council’s green goal priority. It also incorporates a windowless design (no glare!) that’s 40% brighter and easier to maintain than other makes with plastic windows.
Funds for the new LED sign come from the Hall’s capital fund budget. There will be a beautiful planter at the base of the sign and Bensel and the City of Sarasota will be looking for a sponsor to donate and maintain beautiful foliage. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
