It’s easy to catch the camera disease in Sarasota, FL—you can blindly shoot anything at the Ringling Museum of Art and have it mistaken for a professional photo.
With its multiple gardens, scattered art sculptures, and looming architecture (not to mention all the beauty housed inside those looming architectures) every inch of the Ringling estate can be a backdrop for all wannabe models. This is most evident as I waited for admission. Outside the windows ran a lady dressed in full bridal gown with her groom and photographer in tow.
But I’m not here to talk about photos.
The Ringling Museum (as the entire estate is called) consists of the Museum of Art, the Circus Museum (Circus? Remember, this the Ringling family of the famous “Ringling Bros Circus“), the Ca’ d’Zan Mansion, beautiful landscaping, waterfront view, and lots and lots of art.
With limited entrances and windows, it’s easy to feel lost inside the Museum of Art. Everywhere you turn there’s a collection of rich paintings and a few sculptures from the “great Old Masters.” While no photos are allowed inside, the museum’s courtyard hosts more beautiful scenery of gardens and copied sculptures of the Renaissance period.
From guarding the art museum to providing transportation, the Ringling Museum is manned by very chatty and enthusiastic elderly people. I recommend asking any of them questions and learning secrets of the estate regular people wouldn’t know about.
It’s difficult to write about a place where its visuals tell the story. Photos could not be taken inside the museums, but feel free to view other parts of the museum by just clicking on any of my photos
The Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore Rd
Sarasota, FL 34243
(941) 359-5700
Admission (As of January 2013) $25 for adults
Student ID: $5 (Free for USF students)