Ringling Museum - Sarasota

[Mike McCarty]

Mike, isn't the last word in this sentence supposed to be 'man'?

Each being full of the other, neither would stand for it.

Wm. S.
LIX

1. If there be nothing new, but that which is
2. Hath been before, how are our brains beguil'd,
3. Which labouring for invention bear amiss
4. The second burthen of a former child.
5. Oh that record could with a backward look,
6. Even of five hundred courses of the sun,
7. Show me your image in some antique book,
8. Since mind at first in character was done,
9. That I might see what the old world could say
10. To this composed wonder of your frame;
11. Whether we are mended, or where better they,
12. Or whether revolution be the same.
13. Oh sure I am the wits of former days,
14. To subjects worse have given admiring praise.

[Julie Deane]

Hi Mike -

I went to school at Ringling School of Art years ago, and used to ride my bike down to look at the paintings.

They have recently renovated, put new frames on some paintings and redone wall colors so the works really shine now.

Thanks for sharing what is a gem of a museum.

Anybody visiting Florida should really check out both this museum and the Appleton in Ocala Florida (north part of state).

[Mike McCarty]

Julie,

It is a fine museum and would be worth the visit if it had no paintings at all.

When I first arrived I stayed in a motel a couple of blocks from the Ringling school of art. I took some time and walked through the campus and it seems to be flourishing today, many students scurrying around with portfolios under their arms. I asked at the registrars office if they had a course on portraiture, and they said that it was only part of a much broader curriculum. I did, however, see several examples of quality portraiture posted on the wall.

I've noticed in the local paper recently that the Sarasota high school, a historic building, will be renovated under the auspices of the Ringling foundation, and turned into a museum for modern art.

I caught these statues gathering in the back, trying to unionize no doubt (as you can see, I'm running out of images).

[Elizabeth Schott]

Julie and Mike, after I finished my BFA, I decided to go for an Advertising/graphics concentration and it was between Ringling and the Art Institiute of Fort Lauderdale. Well being in my early twenties, hummmm ... Lauderdale? Sarasota? Yes I went to the Lauderdale.

I had no idea they had such a lovely place, wow!

Mike if you like Rosa Bonheur's, I have just fallen in love with Anton Mauve. My favorite (of what I have seen) is in our Taft Museum, Cincinnati:

[Julie Deane]

Hi Mike -

Funny! I don't remember seeing these when I was there two summers ago. I do recall that they used to have a statue graveyard in a back area. It was weird seeing arms, legs, torsoes etc of statuary laying around in a pile.

Have you visited the Cah D'ZHan (Ringling mansion)? There's a wonderful over-lifesize full-length figurative by Robert Henri in (I think )the dining room - called "Salome". Very dramatic and beautifully done.

[Julie Deane]

Elizabeth,

Sarasota was and is known for its rich retiree population. This had its advantages, like the time our student president wangled a presentation from Red Skelton when he came down for a show (he also liked to paint, hence the acceptance of the invitation).

Plus I have fond memories of visiting the home and studio of a prominent illustrator/painter named Thornton Utz, who was very encouraging to us young artists. I remember how impressed I was with the beauty of some portraits he had done.

Another great memory is "touring" the home of Mabel Ringling before it was renovated. Actually, it was locked but a group of fellow artists and I got to look around the grounds and drew in the courtyard that still had its Italian tile intact.

Sarasota has had renovations in the last few decades, which probably makes it even more beautiful. I know it certainly has made a difference with the Ringling Museum. As a student, I recall it had a certain shabbiness that is missing now.

[Mike McCarty]

Statue graveyard?

Actually, I think it was a disciplinary issue, cavorting amongst themselves during museum hours. All this, while that poor bull suffered.

[Steven Sweeney]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike McCarty
I suppose this would work just as well if you were having trouble with your bull.

[L.B. says:]
Mike, isn't the last word in this sentence supposed to be 'man'?

Suddenly I feel an urge to go out and get into trouble.

Under circumstances I cannot reveal without killing myself, I drove past the Ringling site on a frenzied foray to Sarasota (Clearwater, the actual destination). I could not, at the time, imagine that it was "serious," but then, neither was I, back then. I regret my youthful indiscretion. Perhaps I should use atonement as an excuse to get back to the Sunshine State's Gulf coast. There aren't any hurricanes on the way, are there?

[Mike McCarty]

As I began my journey toward Florida, Hrrrricane Agripina I think it was, approached the eastern coast of Florida. Each night in the motel I would watch as it made it's way across the state and headed north. It seemed obvious that we were going to meet one another in the northern part of the state.

I made my way south from Memphis to Biloxi where I spent an extra night trying to allow the beast time enough to pass (The fact that there was a hookers' convention going on at the time had no effect on my decision. Although, It looks like I'll be painting fishnet stockings and spiky heeled shoes long into the future).

The next night, as I approached my turn to head south into Florida, it became apparent that I should have waited another day. I was one of the few vehicles on I-10 being blown left and right. I pulled into a small town and got the last room at the inn. It blew all night, and rained hard until noon the next day as I drove south.

And so, to answer your question Steven, yes, there will be no more hrrrricanes in Florida, ever. During that storm the night before, I made a pact with that higher authority, that if he would get me through that night, and promise never to allow another hrrrricane to hit Florida, I would pass on the next three hookers' conventions I encountered. He/She also promised to make this burning sensation stop.

All things considered I think I got the best of the deal. I haven't always.

[Steven Sweeney]

The fact that there was a hookers convention going on at the time had no effect on my decision.

I would be remiss not to applaud your sacrifice in being willing to compassionately witness their stories.

Word to the wise: there's no real sand in Key West -- it's all trucked in and I'm sure the hrrrikns took most of it out. But go see the six-toed cats at the Hemingway House anyway, and always stand with your back to a wall.