Cirque de St. Petian: A Day at The Ringling Museum

St. Pete is a top destination for art museums. From the Dali Museum to the Chihuly Collection, we have diversity amongst our art scene. And if you’re an art lovin’ St Petian, you may want to experience something new. If the collection at the Museum of Fine Arts is looking too familiar, and a sixth go around at the Frida Kahlo exhibit might feel excessive. If you’re longing for new art to experience, look no further, the Ringling Museum in Sarasota has your fix.

The 45-minute drive down to Sarasota flies by. Ringling is expansive, you can make a full day of it! The John and Mable Ringling Museum marks the grounds of the couple’s estate. John Ringling was one of the five Ringling Brothers, and part-owner of the “Greatest Show on Earth,” the Ringling Bros. Circus.

Mable Ringling loved Venetian Gothic style, making their estate the perfect transformation for an art museum. John Mable was a collector of art, and after his wife’s death, he opened the museum to the public in 1931, to spread art education.

Along with the incredible art collection, there’s a large circus museum that features dozens of show-stopping elements from the Ringling Brothers shows. The museum drops you into a new world, with interactive and educational aspects that intrigue kids and adults alike.

The museum and grounds are massive, and it can get confusing without a map. It’s okay, get a little lost. You’ll find yourself along a trail leading to overhanging trees and gardens, or bumping into the Walker Guest House replica, an architectural landmark designed by Paul Rudolph.

The natural scenic spots, like the sculpture garden, are the perfect place for a picnic. But if you want someone else prepping your food, the museum has a restaurant and a cozy café.

The architecture of the museum is impressive, with high ceilings and wood floors that creak in the spacious rooms. Along with the permanent collection, the Ringling has a handful of special exhibitions. There’s a lot to feast your eyes on. The wide range of art history is shocking-- from ancient Asian art and early European art, up to modern pieces.

A visiting exhibit about the Renaissance had pieces from all over the world, even The Louvre. The music and scents change as you move through each section. A favorite of mine was the “Pathless Woods” installation by American artist Anne Patterson, a piece that will be up until April 26th. The installation engulfs you in a forest of ribbons and technicolor lights.

The Ringling Museum mixes the old and new art world. With permanent exhibits that cover ancient and modern eras. An art museum visit that includes works of Rubens to Duchamp, spanning into modern installations and performance art. The Ringling Museum will quench your art appetite.