THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SARASOTA COUNTY SUPPORTS THE RINGLING THROUGH MEMBER EXHIBITION PREVIEW

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Steve & Lucia Almquist

History, art, and performance have always interested Steve and Lucia Almquist, so when they moved to Sarasota in 1997 it was practically a foregone conclusion that they would become members of The Ringling. During those first years on the Gulf Coast, Lucia eagerly awaited the restoration of Ca’ d’Zan to be completed. She was awestruck by the splendor of the opulent mansion when it reopened.

Twenty years later the couple have become active participants of The Ringling, attending lectures, Gallery Walk & Talks, or as Lucia puts it, “really as much as will fit in our schedule.” As Circle Members they have made several friends through attending insider events and functions. The two frequently bring out of town guests to the museum, showing them all the institution has to offer and delighting in their reactions to the campus’s “wow factor.” This past year, when their grandnieces visited, they spent an afternoon in the Tibbals Learning Center and watched children of all ages experience the joy of the circus.

Steve and Lucia are avid theater goers and are always impressed by the performers Ringling curators bring to the museum. They have attended every RIAF; Steve points out that in the first years it was impossible to see every single artist, but they had tickets to as many as possible. The couple are looking forward to next year’s Art of Performance programming and are excited by the possibilities of the new Perret Studio space. They hope it will allow further commissions by The Ringling, citing ETHEL's Circus: Wandering City as one of the best performances they’ve seen in a long time.

This year, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has generously provided grant funding to assist The Ringling with several important initiatives including a unique opportunity to enhance membership experiences. The new Community Foundation of Sarasota County Member Exhibition Preview Saturdays allows Ringling members to access each of the special exhibitions throughout the day on self-guided tours while enjoying light refreshments and special discussions with artists, Ringling curators, and guest curators of exhibitions.