MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Leon And Margaret Ellin

Leon Ellin is passionate about dispelling the idea that The Ringling only consists of Old Masters. “A lot of people who have been here for 10 or 15 years think of it as a collection that never changes—that’s not an apt description. It’s very dynamic. It keeps experimenting and trying new things.” And he is someone that is certainly familiar with the collection. When his parents moved here in 1969, his mother immediately became a docent at The Ringling, a position she held for 30 years! Leon didn’t stay in Sarasota but has made it his home for over a decade now and he and his wife have been heavily involved in the Art of Our Time programs. They have attended the Ringling International Arts Festival since its inaugural year, often seeing every production, and are thrilled that The Ringling now has a permanent space for the modern and contemporary collection.

Jim Roque

When Jim Roque, SunTrust Private Wealth Management, and his wife Carla Malachowski moved to Sarasota in 2014, they did not know anyone. However, they soon found a welcoming community among the members at The Ringling. Commenting that he likes the people here nearly as much as the art, Jim's enthusiasm is all-encompassing. He starts the day drinking coffee out of a Ca’ d’Zan mug, takes walks through the grounds and gardens to relieve stress, admires the permanent collection, and looks forward to new exhibitions. Jim feels that, “From the moment you arrive there’s a spirit about the place that’s undeniable. The time you spend at The Ringling goes by so quickly because it’s such a joy to be there.” He truly wants others to have what he calls the “priceless experiences” he has had at the museum, so much so that he brought 40 guests to this year’s Ringling International Arts Festival!