What’s the most important thing
that people should know or
understand about Sarasota?
Too often, it’s characterized as a
retirement community. It’s true that
we have a number of retirees here,
but we’re anything but a sleepy city.
Sarasota is a creative epicenter.
Not only do we have places like
Ringling College and all the arts
and culture organizations—the
foundation, the base source for
that creativity—but we have a
number of business that are also
incredibly creative themselves.
Voalte. BioLucid, which is now part
of ShareCare.
I’d love to see this community
branded as “The Creative Epicenter”
or “The Creative Coast.”
In all your time living, working,
and being part of Sarasota, what
has surprised you the most?
The consistently high quality
of people here. This is a very
intellectual, curious, intelligent,
creative, and caring community.
How does Ringling College of
Art and Design fit into the larger
community?
We as a college need to be a very
active participant in the community.
That’s the reason I’m so involved
with activities with respect to the
community. It’s not just about the
college, it’s about the college in
context of the larger whole.
We should also be a force for
economic development as well as
be part of the solution for some
of the issues that our community
faces.
What is the “Sarasota philosophy
of life”?
There’s a philosophy here about
remaining active regardless of
your age. The participation by
people who are 70 (my age!), 80,
90 or more is very high. They are
involved and eager and dynamic.
Many here share a philosophy that’s
simply this: life continues on.
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If Sarasota had a mascot/spirit
animal, what would it be?
On my office desk, I have a statue
from Thailand of Saraswati, the
goddess of creativity, learning, and
education. That’d be an appropriate
mascot!
Note, too, the similarity between
“Saraswati” and “Sarasota”!
What are you most looking forward
to in terms of the future of our area?
I’d love to see more of our graduates
and graduates of other area colleges
stay in the area because they have
so many opportunities now worth
staying for. I’d like to see enhanced
economic development in a number
of fields such as in the creative areas
and health care, and I’d like to see us
enjoy a robust economy other than
tourism and the financial arena.
I’d also like for us to be a community
that addresses our human needs with
honesty versus a political agenda.
Sarasota has more Zagat-rated
restaurants in a 20-mile radius than
any other city in Florida. What are
some of your favs?
I love Walt’s Fish Market and
Restaurant—that’s a wonderful, oldfashioned
fish place. I also like Beach
Bistro. And Libby’s Café & Bar. We
often go to Café Epicure, too.
On any given weekend, where
are people most likely to have a
Larry Thompson sighting?
My wife says I’m a workaholic,
so I probably should say “at
a Ringling College or area
nonprofit event.”
What’s a Sarasota gem that most
people either don’t know about
or don’t fully appreciate?
I hate to be so self-serving here,
but not everyone knows enough
about Ringling College. It’s not
your grandfather’s art school.
It’s a thriving state-of-the-art,
first-class institution that allows
students from all throughout the
world to deepen, transform, and
explore their artistic passions as
they become tomorrow’s leaders
of art and design.
Your thoughts on the increasing
number of roundabouts?
My wife and I have a little battle
about this. I’m not a huge fan.
On Honore or smaller roads?
Fabulous. On 41 and high-traffic
areas? I am concerned about
how people will navigate them,
how pedestrians will be able
to cross without any lights. I
understand the reason for them,
but I’m just not a huge fan.
Sarasota County has 35 miles of
beaches. Where does Beachfront
Larry kick back in flip flops, a
big hat, and Bermuda shorts?
I always go to Siesta Key. It’s
close to our house. I love that
beach, and I’ve loved it from the
moment we first came here and
our daughter—she was maybe
11—saw the white powder sand
and said, “Look! It’s Sarasota
snow.”
Three words that come to mind
when someone says “Sarasota.”
Philanthropic.
Beautiful.
Artistic.
. . . we’re anything
but a sleepy city.
Sarasota is a creative
epicenter.
—Dr. Larry Thompson
FEBRUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE 55