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Ringling College's Avant-Garde immerses guests in pop culture experience


  • By Janet Combs
  • | 7:32 p.m. March 2, 2025
  • Black Tie
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Ringling College of Art and Design once again wowed guests with its unique programming at its Avant-Garde fundraiser March 1.

Celebrating pop culture’s favorite moments, guests wore tracksuits and fanny packs that came in handy for the crisp temperatures that hovered in the 60s. Enthusiastic attendees, staff and students dressed as Elton John, the Beatles, denizens of “Wayne’s World” and “Gilligan’s Island” and so many more iconic characters, celebrities and notable folks at the event, co-chaired by Drs. Joel and Gail Morganroth.

Over 400 guests took a look at the past while channeling the future with immersive experiences featuring icons Marilyn Monroe/Taylor Swift, The Godfather/Harry Potter and Babe Ruth/Michael Jordan.

With the core ingredients of food, drinks, entertainment, fun and dancing, the evening honored Ringling students, who are the true trendsetters.

With more than 90% of its students qualifying for need, Ringling’s Avant-Garde event raises money for student scholarships.

Joy Kolstad and Heather Roberts
Joy Kolstad and Heather Roberts
Photo by Lori Sax
Nate Carr, Erica Altman, Viron and Laura Lynch, Kassandra and David Burwood,  Bethany Carr and Taylor Altman
Nate Carr, Erica Altman, Viron and Laura Lynch, Kassandra and David Burwood, Bethany Carr and Taylor Altman
Photo by Lori Sax
Event Co-Chairs Drs. Joel and Gail Morganroth
Event Co-Chairs Drs. Joel and Gail Morganroth
Photo by Lori Sax
Dr. Larry Thompson welcomes guests.
Dr. Larry Thompson welcomes guests.
Photo by Lori Sax
Veronica Brady and Keith Monda
Veronica Brady and Keith Monda
Photo by Lori Sax
Scott Taylor and Deb Kabinoff
Scott Taylor and Deb Kabinoff
Photo by Lori Sax
Ripley Williams, Kimberley Rose, Sarafina Murphy Gibson, Nitza Altidor and Ruth Weisberg
Ripley Williams, Kimberley Rose, Sarafina Murphy Gibson, Nitza Altidor and Ruth Weisberg
Photo by Lori Sax
Greg and Belle Stikeleather
Greg and Belle Stikeleather
Photo by Lori Sax
Felice Schulaner and Dennis Rees
Felice Schulaner and Dennis Rees
Photo by Lori Sax
Dean and Sarah Eisner
Dean and Sarah Eisner
Photo by Lori Sax
Michael Chokr and Ricky Stephens
Michael Chokr and Ricky Stephens
Photo by Lori Sax
Tom Koski, Ringling President Larry Thompson and Sherry Koski
Tom Koski, Ringling President Larry Thompson and Sherry Koski
Photo by Lori Sax
Kim Parris, Ingrid Summers, Greg Parris, Rosa and Willie Stanfield
Kim Parris, Ingrid Summers, Greg Parris, Rosa and Willie Stanfield
Photo by Lori Sax
Michele and Frank Morgan, Jim Evan and Michael and Stacy Corley
Michele and Frank Morgan, Jim Evan and Michael and Stacy Corley
Photo by Lori Sax
Fran Lambert, Sy Ziegelman and Marion and Sam Levine
Fran Lambert, Sy Ziegelman and Marion and Sam Levine
Photo by Lori Sax
Tina and Dan Napoli
Tina and Dan Napoli
Photo by Lori Sax
Susan Short
Susan Short
Photo by Lori Sax
Curtis Jordan and Paige Petersen
Curtis Jordan and Paige Petersen
Photo by Lori
Drs. Joel and Gail Morganroth with the Emerging Service Leaders
Drs. Joel and Gail Morganroth with the Emerging Service Leaders
Photo by Lori Sax
Avant-Garde 2025 Award Recipient M.J. Helmick and Avant-Garde 2025 Award Finalist Alyssa Copeland
Avant-Garde 2025 Award Recipient M.J. Helmick and Avant-Garde 2025 Award Finalist Alyssa Copeland
Photo by Lori Sax
Michael and Terri Klauber
Michael and Terri Klauber
Photo by Lori Sax
Nate and Melissa Leduc
Nate and Melissa Leduc
Photo by Lori Sax
Lucy Castro Val, Jim and Suzanne Lynch, Mary Ann Jordan, Uli Castro Val, Cindy Potter, Donna Stoner, Ella Castro Val and Grace Bellhouse
Lucy Castro Val, Jim and Suzanne Lynch, Mary Ann Jordan, Uli Castro Val, Cindy Potter, Donna Stoner, Ella Castro Val and Grace Bellhouse
Photo by Lori Sax
Maryann McGrath, Gale Davis and Linda Beyers
Maryann McGrath, Gale Davis and Linda Beyers
Photo by Lori Sax
Rosie Walker and Joe Fig
Rosie Walker and Joe Fig
Photo by Lori Sax
Nathan and Sasha Pyatte with Phillip and Tami Lanham
Nathan and Sasha Pyatte with Phillip and Tami Lanham
Photo by Lori Sax
Dale McBrier, Elenor Maxheim and Lynn McBrier
Dale McBrier, Elenor Maxheim and Lynn McBrier
Photo by Lori Sax
Jamie Beryter and Chelsea Bruner
Jamie Beryter and Chelsea Bruner
Photo by Lori Sax
Kevin Friedman and Tammy Walsh
Kevin Friedman and Tammy Walsh
Photo by Lori Sax
Jennifer Mumford Brady and Pat Thompson
Jennifer Mumford Brady and Pat Thompson
Photo by Lori Sax
Andrew Greenwell and Chad Lally
Andrew Greenwell and Chad Lally
Photo by Lori Sax
Guest are seated for dinner in the courtyard.
Guest are seated for dinner in the courtyard.
Photo by Lori Sax

 

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