Ringling College delays removal of Paul Rudolph canopy

As the Sarasota Museum of Art prepares to open, local architects are fearful of losing what they consider to be an important piece of artwork in the process.

Ringling College of Art and Design is in the process of renovating the former Sarasota High School Building for use as the Sarasota Museum of Art. This week, crews planned to demolish a canopy at the site — disturbing news for the Sarasota Architectural Foundation.

The foundation is pushing for the preservation of the canopy, designed by Paul Rudolph, a prominent figure in the Sarasota School of Architecture. The organization earned a victory today, as Ringling College President Larry Thompson agreed to delay the removal of the canopy for two days.

Over the next two days, representatives for the Sarasota Museum of Art and the Sarasota Architecture Foundation will meet to discuss options for preserving the canopy, according to a joint statement from Ringling College and the architecture foundation.

Renovations on the building began in October, and the museum is expected to open in the first quarter of 2016.