TANA SANDEFUR A LASTING LEGACY

to its current thriving state. Their gifts to the “Ringling Now” capital campaign helped to restore the Ca’ d’Zan, build the Tibbals Learning Center and fund the private dining room in Treviso, which is now called the Sandefur room. After John passed away in 2009, Tana carried on by serving on The Ringling’s Board of Directors for two years and served as the Honorary Chair of the Ringling International Arts Festival in 2010.

Tana’s contributions of both time and gifts to The Ringling were enormous, but those philanthropic efforts are only a small measure of her influence. She was what journalist Malcolm Gladwell describes as a “connector.” Everybody knew Tana. They went to her parties, which meant that they heard about her causes. Tana brought several other stakeholders into The Ringling’s inner circle, and she made sure that everyone on a visit to Sarasota took time to see The Ringling.

She had been a part of The Ringling family for almost three decades, and she remained engaged and active until her unexpected passing at age 81 last September.

Tana moved to Sarasota with her husband John in 1981. The Sandefurs built their fortune in home construction and refurbishment in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio, which is also where the couple met—in the engineering library of Ohio State University, their beloved alma mater. The Sandefurs were only in their 50s when they moved to Sarasota, and upon arriving they were excited to throw their efforts into new projects and give back to one of their favorite causes—the arts.

“Sarasota was her town,” Tana’s daughter, Jane Taylor said. “She loved everything about it.”

John and Tana gave to The Sarasota Ballet, to public broadcasting station WEDU and to countless other causes in Sarasota including The Ringling. And it was always John and Tana. Practically inseparable ever since their first meeting, they were united in their cause of providing vital resources for Sarasota organizations.

The Sandefurs joined The Ringling in 1987, and their support would prove to be vital in the renaissance of The Ringling campus

It was at the Museum that Tana cultivated a love for the circus and the history of Sarasota. As much as she gave The Ringling, the museum provided her with a cause to advocate for and to show off her legendary skills as a hostess.

Tana Sandefur Graduation, 1950

“Mom loved huge themed parties,” Debra Sandefur, her daughter said. “She loved to surprise and entertain her guests.”

It should be no surprise then that Tana’s legacy became the focus of opening night at the most recent Ringling International Arts Festival. Almost 100 local dancers performed Bolero Sarasota, in the Museum of Art Courtyard. The dance highlighted Sarasota’s culture and spilled into the audience, many of whom wore a button that said, “Thanks Tana for Keeping Us Dancing!” It was a party that Tana would have loved to have attended, and thanks to her life, gifts, and legacy, one that will live on.