- May 1, 2025
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Ringling College of Art and Design’s community-based arts programming will soon be consolidated in Sarasota as the Englewood Art Center closes permanently next month.
All events and education will now take place at the Ringling College Museum Campus. The Englewood facility will close on May 3. It had been in operation for 50 years, and the building on McCall Road originally served as an American Legion hall. EAC merged with Ringling College in 2008.
“The Englewood Art Center has proudly served as a cornerstone for local artists, a provider of enriching arts education for adults and children, and a vital contributor to the cultural vibrancy of Englewood and surrounding areas for many years,” said EAC Director Samantha Parkinson. “While this chapter closes, we hope the spirit of innovation and artistic growth fostered at the EAC will continue to empower individuals on their creative journeys.”
A town hall-style question and answer session will take place at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the EAC.
According to a news release from Ringling College, EAC memberships will be honored for a year at the Sarasota Art Museum and Ringling College’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, beginning June 1.
“Ringling College is incredibly grateful to the dedicated EAC staff, instructors, and volunteers,’’ said Ringling College President Larry Thompson, who last week announced he would retire in 2026. “We know the EAC has been a loved and long-standing pillar of the Englewood community for decades and that its presence will be missed. Our hope is that this strategic consolidation will enable us to expand the educational opportunities for both younger children and adults at the Museum Campus in Sarasota.”
Ringling College will assess interest in transitioning the EAC building for other cultural purposes, the college said.
In 2017, the Ringling-owned Longboat Key Center for the Arts closed on the north end of the island. That property 2.3 acre property was sold for $1.85 million.
