- April 24, 2024
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One of the biggest artistic collaborations the great Tampa Bay area has ever hosted is back. “Skyway 2020: A Contemporary Collaboration” is the second iteration of a 2017 partnership between the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, The John and Mable Ringling Museum, Tampa Museum of Art that now also includes the USF Contemporary Art Museum of Art. A June 4 release from the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg announced an open call to artists and art collectives residing in Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota counties to submit work for the exhibit. The submission process is now open and the deadline is Sept. 3. Artists working in diverse media and disciplines can submit original artworks and project proposals. Submissions can include, but are not limited to, work on paper, painting, sculpture, photography, video, performance, sound, research-based art and site-specific installations.
Magic of Manatee, the Bradenton chapter of Sweet Adelines, announced in a June 2 release that Stephen Ditchfield has been appointed its new director. Ditchfield is replacing director of more than three decades Lois Van Beek, who had to step down due to health issues. But never fear, friends will still see her singing alongside her favorite vocalists in the risers.
It’s never a surprise to see a Florida Studio Theatre show extended by popular demand, and now we see that trend extends to the theater company’s summer season. The off-Broadway hit “The Marvelous Wonderettes” by Roger Bean will now run through June 22 in FST’s Gompertz Theatre. Tickets range from $29-$39 and can be purchased at floridastudiotheatre.org or 366-9000.
The Historic Circus Museum at The Ringling is getting a new look. The museum recently announced in a release that it's updating the galleries, reinstalling exhibits and giving the space a new coat of paint, which all started June 1. The museum will be closed for the renovations all summer and is scheduled to reopen sometime in the fall. Jennifer Lemmer Posey, The Ringling’s Tibbals curator of circus, said in the release that she looks forward to showcasing items from the Circus Collection that haven’t been on display in a long time. The presentation of the collection’s historic wagons and other historic artifacts will also be updated.
In other museum news, The Ringling was recently selected by the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation to receive two 2019 Preservation Awards. The museum was recognized for its Ca’ d’Zan Terra Cotta Restoration Project and the Ca’ d’Zan Historic Pool Restoration. Steven High, The Ringling’s executive director and Barbara A. Ramsay, chief conservator, accepted the awards May 18 at the 2019 Florida Preservation Conference in Pensacola.
“We are tasked with being both good stewards and careful conservators of the beautiful estate that John and Mable Ringling left as their legacy to the people of Florida,” High said in the release. “It is a great honor to accept these awards on behalf of The Ringling and to be recognized for preservation efforts that will ensure that the Ca’ d’Zan will continue to be one of Florida’s most acclaimed attractions.”
Sarasota Orchestra announced in its latest update on the search for a new music center that it will expand its search outside Sarasota city limits. A May 30 release stated that David Steves, chairman of the board of directors, and the other 17 members made the unanimous decision to expand the search last week. This comes after the May 21 decision by the City Commission to reject the orchestra's proposal for a new center in Payne Park. In June of 2018, Sarasota Orchestra's Board of Directors voted to seek a site for the music center off the Bayfront due to rising sea level, storm surge and other risks associated with building along Sarasota Bay.
The Fine Arts Society of Sarasota recently awarded $46,300 in scholarships to 13 students from Sarasota County. These scholarships will help the students fund their education at four in-state and seven out-of-state colleges. Since 1969, the scholarship program has awarded nearly $1.1 million to students whose studies include visual and related arts, dance, writing, music, theater and architecture.
“Members of our organization are proud to support students in furthering their education in all fields of fine arts,” said President Donna Maytham in a release. “Scholarships are awarded to students from Sarasota County; our scholarship committee evaluates applications based on artistic talent, financial need, academic achievement, and civic/community service.”
