Selby Foundation gives $250,000 toward Ringling Museum's future Asian Art Center

Recent visitors to the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art have noticed the rapid change. What started out at the beginning of the artistic season this past fall as just iron beams and construction fencing at the tail end of the main gallery space, the future home of the museum's Asian Art Center has rapidly sprouted into a lush green and transfixing sight. And thanks to a donation made by the local philanthropy organization the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, the Ringling's own green giant is even closer to opening to the general public. 

The Selby Foundation has donated $250,000 toward the support and completion of the gallery space dedicated to the study and appreciation of Asian art, history and culture. Formally named after its main benefactor Dr. Helga Wall-Apelt, who has pledged $30 million and approximately 1,700 pieces of Asian art from her estate, the Selby donation goes toward opening the all-Asian gallery by early 2016. In honor of this gift, the formal entrance to the gallery will be named the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation Grand Hall. 

The Ringling seems to be on an Asian fixation as of lote to honor the planned opening of the art center during the next winter art season. The upcoming Ringling International Arts Festival, October 15 through 18, is focused entirely on artists and companies from Asian countries. The center will come installed with 6, 800 square feet of gallery space, a 125-person capacity lecture hall, a print study room, storage space and study rooms for staff and students. 

"We are honored to accept the continued support of the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation," says Steven High, executive director of The Ringling, in a prepared statement. "This center is an incredible opportunity not only for The Ringling but also for all of Sarasota to learn more about Asian arts and culture and to bring Asian artists, performers and scholars to The Ringling. We are excited that the Selby Foundation understands the opportunity, and we hope that others will join them." 

The Selby Foundation is a continual benefactor to The Ringling. It previously donated funds toward housing the James Turrell Skyspace "Joseph's Coat," which is located in the Ulla R. and Arthur F. Searing Wing.