World Premiere of Miniature Howard Bros. Circus to Open Ringling Circus Museum’s Tibbals Learning Center on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 10 a.m.

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jan. 6, 2006 - “Ladies and Gentlemen . . . Step Right Up for the World Premiere of the Largest Miniature Circus in the World – the Howard Bros. Circus!”

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art will open the Tibbals Learning Center to the public at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 14. The highlight of the opening will be the world premiere of the Howard Bros. Circus – the largest miniature circus in the world! Former Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Singing Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson will “start the show” with the traditional blast from the Ringmaster’s whistle.  Howard Bros. Circus Ringmaster whistles will be given to children to join in the festivities, though supplies are limited.

Philanthropist and master model builder Howard C. Tibbals and Museum Executive Director Dr. John Wetenhall will welcome visitors under the tented entrance to the 30,600 sq. ft.-Tibbals Learning Center. 

The Howard Bros. Circus represents a half-century labor of love by Tibbals, and is an authentic replica of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus during the height of the tented circus era (circa 1919 - 1938).  The ¾-inch-to-the-foot model covers 3,800 sq. feet and boasts a 55-car train, 152 wagons, 1,500 circus artists and staff, a 200-animal menagerie and eight main tents, including the Big Top tent that measures 36’ x 16’ x 4’.  Other exhibits in the Tibbals Learning Center include a poster wall featuring rare circus posters; a 150-foot miniature street parade created by noted model builder Harold Dunn; a historic timeline with circus ephemera; and colorful costumes donated by leading American circuses.

The opening of the Circus Museum’s Tibbals Learning Center and the world premiere of the Howard Bros. Circus will also kick off of a year-long CELEBRATE CIRCUS marketing campaign designed to recognize and celebrate the rich circus heritage of the Suncoast area and to bring national attention to Sarasota as “Home to the American Circus.”

General Admission includes the Ringling Museum of Art, Cà d’Zan mansion, Circus Museum, Mable’s  Rose Garden and grounds.  Admission is $15 for adults; $13 for senior citizens (65 and over) and U.S. Military; and $5 for children ages 6 to 17, students with ID, and Florida teachers.   Admission is Free for museum members and children 5 and under accompanied by an adult.  The Museum is open 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Information Line: 941.351.1660. Advance tickets are recommended; call 941.358.3180.  Prices are subject to change without notice.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Florida State University, is the state art museum of Florida.  It preserves, develops, and enhances the legacy of John and Mable Ringling and engages and educates a large and diverse audience in aworld-renowned collection of art, Cà d'Zan (the Ringlings’ mansion) and its historic contents, collections documenting the circus and its history, the historic Asolo Theater, and the architecture, courtyard, gardens, and grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay.

The Museum’s exhibitions and programs are made possible in part through support by the Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax through the Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council and the Sarasota County Arts Council; the State of Florida, Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Arts Council. 

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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.
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