Sarasota Museum of Art announces fall programming

The Sarasota Museum of Art might not be open yet. But starting later this month, the long anticipated contemporary art gallery will launch a season of pre-exhibition programming in a new temporary space — The Works.

Housed in the former VisionWorks/Galloway Furniture building, just north of the future museum, the Ringling Colllege-owned space will play host to a portion of the series, which spans the months of October and November.

The museum, a division of the Ringling College of Art and Design, kicks off its programming Sept. 20 with a series of films, artists talks, lectures and meet-and-greets with SMOA Executive Director Anne-Marie Russell, who will discuss the museum's progress and share her vision for its future.

The films and events will take place both at the Ringling College Academic Center and The Works, and are intended to lead up to the opening of the museum, which is still under construction following delays. Portions of the museum are expected to be open by late 2017 or early 2018. 

Through the programming, Russell says she hopes to further engage with the public.

“It’s not every day — or even every decade — that a community gets to build a new museum," said Russell, in a release. "And we are eager to involve the community in our evolution. Designing and building a cultural institution from the ground up is challenging, complex and rewarding work. We welcome you to join us on this journey this fall, as we begin to ramp up our programming.”

SMOA Fall Programming:

Art on Film: 'National Gallery'
 

6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, at the Ringling College Academic Center Auditorium
$10; free for Ringling students, faculty and staff

The Art on Film Series features films that offer an insider’s glimpse into the life of art institutions, artists and art movements. The first film, "National Gallery," directed by Frederick Wiseman, takes the audience behind the scenes of the world-renowned National Gallery in London. In the film, docents discuss masterpieces, restorers make repairs, and leadership deals with public perception. 

Art on Film: 'Carmen Herrera: "The 100 Years Show"'
6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Ringling College Academic Center Auditorium
$10; free for Ringling students, faculty and staff

Directed by Alison Klayman, this film follows 101-year-old Cuban-American abstract painter Carmen Herrera, who only recently rose from obscurity to global stardom.

Open House: Director’s Meet and Greet
10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at The Works, 891 S. Tamiami Trail
Free

Meet Executive Director Anne-Marie Russell and learn what the future holds for the Sarasota Museum of Art.

'This is What Happened: Art Since the ’60s' 
6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, at The Works, 891 S. Tamiami Trail (
$10; limited seating

Leading up to the opening of SMOA's exhibitions program, the museum will host a series of casual, salon-style  talks examining the avant-garde roots of contemporary art, and on the origins of art production today. Executive Director Anne-Marie Russell and guest Matthew McLendon, curator of modern and contemporary art at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art will lead this lecture.

Artist Talks: Joe Fig: 'Inside the Artist's Studio'
5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Ringling College Academic Center Auditorium
$10; free for Ringling students, faculty and staff

Joe Fig, a painter, sculptor, photographer and illustrator, represented by Cristin Tierney Gallery in New York, examines the role of the artist, the creative process and the self-made universe of the artist’s studio. Fig’s work has been exhibited internationally at the Bruce Museum, Bass Museum of Art, Parrish Art Museum, Toledo Museum of Art, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and New Britain Museum of American Art.  

How to Survive an Art Fair
6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, at The Works, 891 S. Tamiami Trail
$10; free for Ringling students, faculty and staff

In preparation for the upcoming Miami Art Week, this lighthearted, informative session will help you navigate the chaotic — and occasionally perplexing — environment of the art fair. 

SarasotaMOD Weekend
Friday, Nov. 11 through Sunday, Nov.13, at various locations
Visit Sarasotamod.com

The museum will partner with the Sarasota Architectural Foundation to co-present the third annual SarasotaMOD Weekend, which will focus on the architectural legacy of Victor Lundy.

Art on Film: 'Troublemakers: The Story of Land Art'
 

6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, at  the Ringling College Academic Center Auditorium
$10; free for Ringling students, faculty and staff

Directed by James Crump, this film follows a group of New York artists who sought to transcend the limitations of painting and sculpture by producing monumental, large-scale earthworks in desolate desert spaces of the American southwest. 

Open House: Director’s Meet and Greet
5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, at The Works, 891 S. Tamiami Trail
Free

Meet Executive Director Anne-Marie Russell and learn what the future holds for the Sarasota Museum of Art.

Artist Talks: Tania Katan: 'Creative Trespasser: Disrupting Museums, Bathrooms and Other Public/Private Space'
 

5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Ringling College Academic Center Auditorium
$10; free for Ringling students, faculty and staff

Tania Katan is an award-winning author, keynote speaker and creative instigator who's performed her stories at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, NPR, Comedy Central Stage and TEDx. She believes, in her own words, "in the power of storytelling at all costs, and is currently working on a book about the value of creatives in the business world, called "Creative Trespassing."