RINGLING MUSEUM RECEIVES MORE THAN 700 PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE WARREN J. AND MARGOT COVILLE PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTION

Sarasota, Fla. — May 21, 2012 — The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art recently received more than 700 photographs from the Warren J. and Margot Coville Photography Collection. It adds a new lens through which to view the Ringling Museum’s Art of Our Time, which features works by artists that are shaping the trends in contemporary visual and performance art. The gift by Warren J. and Margot Coville of Sarasota, Fla. and Bloomfield Hills, Mich., includes photography by Berenice Abbott, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, Alfred Eisenstaedt, André Kertész and Herb Kratovil among many others.

"The Ringling Museum is honored to be the beneficiary of a large selection of remarkable images from the Warren J. and Margot Coville photography collection," said Steven High, executive director of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. "They greatly enhance the Ringling’s photography collection and invigorate our permanent collection. They’ve also prompted two further gifts to the Museum."

Previously, the photographs were prominently displayed in the Coville home in Michigan and Warren’s offices there. They join previous gifts of photography by the Covilles to the Ringling Museum.

Dr. Matthew McLendon, associate curator of modern and contemporary art, noted, "The Coville collection comprises a number works that might be deemed photojournalistic and is, therefore, a potent mirror of social change over the century. An exhibition of representative works which focuses on the human condition and captures major world events from the 20th and 21st centuries is slated to open Nov. 9, 2012 and run to Feb. 3, 2013 at the Ringling Museum."

"Margot and I are proud to join in the re-blossoming of the John and Mable Ringling Museum's collection," remarked Warren J. Coville. "Now as residents of Sarasota, we will have the pleasure of revisiting images from our collection. Sharing these with our friends and neighbors gives us much joy."

The Ringling Museum’s Art of Our Time features the on-going presentation of its contemporary art collection, including Joseph’s Coat, the largest Skyspace yet and first in Florida created by internationally renowned artist, James Turrell. It also includes a rotation of visual art exhibitions, lectures, films, literature and performing arts, such as the Ringling International Arts Festival, Oct. 10-13, 2012.

###

General Admission includes the Ringling Museum of Art, special exhibitions, Ca' d’Zan Mansion, Circus Museum, and Mable’s historic Rose Garden, all on 66 acres of lushly landscaped grounds. Adults are $25; senior citizens (65 and over) are $20; children ages 6-17 are $5.  Free Admission for children 5 and under accompanied by an adult, museum members.  Advance tickets are available by calling 941.358.3180. Visit Ringling.org for more information.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Florida State University, is one of the largest museum/university complexes in the nation.  It preserves the legacy of John and Mable Ringling, educating and enabling a large and diverse audience to experience and take delight in a world-renowned collection of fine art; Ca' d’Zan, the Ringling historic mansion; the Circus Museums; the Original Asolo Theater; and historic architecture, courtyard, gardens and grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay.
###