Backstage Pass to the Very Best of FSU
Wednesday, Feb. 17 — The Ringling, Sarasota
It is my distinct pleasure to welcome all of you here tonight to experience a unique and exciting event.
We’re thrilled to offer an exclusive sneak peek of The Ringling’s new Center for Asian Art in the Dr. Helga Wall-Apelt (pronounced Ah-pelt) Gallery of Asian Art. We will officially open the center with a grand community celebration May 15.
The partnership between Florida State University and The Ringling continues to grow and evolve as it becomes even more vital for this region and the state of Florida.
Florida State University is enormously proud to support The Ringling’s comprehensive Asian art initiative through this dynamic new center.
With the arts and cultures of Asia continuing to grow in importance, a center devoted to their study is critical to our job of educating future global citizens and introducing them to the marketplace of ideas.
As you know, The Ringling’s new Center for Asian Art is not confined within the walls of this new building. It represents a platform for Asian art and culture that permeates the entire institution — exhibitions, performances, public programs, and educational offerings.
It’s a robust, multidisciplinary resource at the state art museum of Florida, for the people of Florida — and for students, scholars and visitors from around the world.
I would like to acknowledge the many people here whose determined efforts made the dream of this Center become a reality:
- First and foremost, the museum’s incredible Board of Directors
- Ringling Executive Director Steven High
- FSU Provost and VP for Academic Affairs Sally McRorie
- FSU Vice President for Advancement Tom Jennings
- FSU Dean of the College of Fine Arts Peter Weishar
And, of course, we could not have done it without you, a truly remarkable community of philanthropists.
Thank you for being a part of making The Ringling and FSU such an important site for the study of Asian art and culture.
I know you will enjoy this early glimpse of the Center’s interior spaces as they continue to be installed and take shape.
Now, I’ll turn it over to Executive Director Steven High.