Arts

If one goes to the Gulf Coast of Florida it is difficult to miss the Art scene present, particularly in Sarasota, which prides itself on supporting the various arts. From art by the bay, to the theaters, and various museums in the area, Ole and Birgitte's trip to Florida would not be complete without visiting a couple of the areas best art museums.

Having grown up in Sarasota, I grew up with visits to the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. The Ringling family made their fortune from roaming with the circus, but when it came to choosing a location for the Ca' D'Zan mansion they had designed based on their worldly experiences, they chose to come to Sarasota. Though the family is long gone their impact upon Sarasota has remained. In Sarasota, you grow up with visits to Circus Museums, and with students learning the circus arts. Sarasota has been a winter home to many an acrobat, juggler, and circus clown. In fact, it was such a home to the circus that Sarasota still has a law requiring you to tie your elephant to the parking meter and pay for it as you would a car.

The influence of the Ringlings did not just support the circus, for they had a knack for collecting art, such a knack that when they passed away, a large art museum had been formed from the works of art the family had collected. In the 1920s, John Ringling had constructed the museum in order to house his ever growing art collection and help perpetuate his wife's legacy. The building itself is quite a work of art, and its courtyard reminds one of antiquity, with its columns, fountains, and sculptures.

The grounds of the Ringling estate are quite a thing to see. With lush gardens, and a waterfront view, one can imagine that living here was quite a treat. The Ringlings themselves lived on the estate in the Ca' D'Zan, a gorgeous mansion right on the water.

It was quite nice to return to this beautiful art museum where I had gone so often as a child. The six of us had a fantastic time touring the Circus Museum, the Art Museum, the various Gardens, and the Ca' D'Zan. If you ever plan to go, make sure you allot enough time to see everything, for the art collection alone is quite large and that is one of many things to see on this property.

If you are a Salvador Dali fan, when you are in Florida you must go to the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg. Close in location to Sarasota, it houses one of the largest collections of Dali's work and can quite easily take up the better part of a day. This is another place I frequently went to as a child. It was fantastic to go during my time in Florida, for since my childhood that museum moved to a new specially designed building which allows for one to thoroughly immerse yourself in everything Dali; from a Dali inspired master staircase, a Dali enthusiast's dream gift shop, a cafe offering tapas, and a garden. With a maze, melting clock bench, wishing tree, and a giant moustache, the garden is a great new addition to this incredible art collection.

I encourage anyone going on a trip, or living, in this part of Florida to go see both museums. You must bear in mind that these art museums hold a special place in my heart since I grew up in Sarasota, but if you have any fondness for art, like I do, check them out.