Ringling Museum Hosts Exclusive Gala Experience
Friday, Feb. 29, 2008
Sarasota, FL—Jan. 17, 2008—The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art opens its galleries for dinner among the great masters including Rubens, van Dyck, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese, Velázquez, El Greco and Reynolds.
The unprecedented black-tie opportunity is the 2008 Gallery Gala, Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, 6 – 10:30 p.m. in the Museum of Art. It serves as the Ringling Museum’s annual winter gala event.
Individuals and corporations are invited to host small, semi-private parties for friends, colleagues and clients in individual galleries of the north and south wings. A select number of individual tickets will be available within the Huntington gallery where Executive Director Dr. John Wetenhall will serve as host.
“The Gallery Gala offers an opportunity to showcase the treasures of the Ringling Museum, while allowing members of the community to host their own exclusive dinner party in a truly unforgettable and unsurpassed setting,” Wetenhall said. “Because our collections are central to the gala concept, unlike purely social occasions, this will truly be a mission-related event and a special night for hosts and guests alike.”
The evening begins 6 – 7 p.m. with a cocktail reception and entertainment in the Rubens Galleries. Exclusive parties will then be called to dinner in individual galleries for a semi-private dinner. Upon being seated, a Curator will provide a customized introduction to the gallery and highlight the significant paintings or important works appearing just beyond the dinner table.
After a fully served main course and dessert by Mattison’s Culinary Group, each party will be invited to conclude the evening in the Rubens Galleries with an after dinner refreshments and entertainment.
“The entire package is very personalized,” said Gala Co-chair Michelle McKay. “The intimate setting provides a truly unique experience, with the backdrop of one of the most beautiful museums in the country. John and I are thrilled to work with Nancy and Marlow, and know the evening will be a great success.” Mrs. McKay serves as co-chair for the gala along with her husband, John McKay and Nancy and Marlow Cook.
Hosts will send their guest lists to Museum staff, who in turn will send out an exclusive and personalized invitation for the host.
Tickets and gallery space are extremely limited. The capacity of each gallery ranges eight to 56 people, allowing hosts to choose a comfortable space based on their guest list. Event tickets are $500 per person and based on gallery capacity. Fifty individual tickets will be available at $500 per ticket in the Huntington Gallery, hosted by the Executive Director.
Funds from the 2008 Gallery Gala support the Museum’s special exhibitions and education and enrichment programs.
Tickets and gallery space may be reserved by contacting Jennifer Carroll at 941.359.5700, ext. 5702 or Jennifer.Carroll@ringling.org.
MEDIA ACCESS: Media representatives on assignment are invited by the Ringling Museum to attend the cocktail reception in the Rubens Galleries from 6-7 p.m. to conduct interviews and photos. Individual dinner tickets are full price and based on availability. All other guest lists are managed by gallery hosts.