Circus Museum’s Tibbals Learning Center To Open January 2006 $15.6 Million State-of-the-Art Building Marks First Phase of Expansion at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

SARASOTA, Fla. – July 19, 2005 - The Tibbals Learning Center, the newest addition to the Ringling Circus Museum at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, is slated to open to the public in January, 2006.  The opening of the new center will mark the completion of the first phase of a $76-million, seven-year expansion at the 66-acre Ringling estate, which includes a new Visitor’s Pavilion housing the restored historic Asolo Theater, an educational wing and new gallery space at the art museum.  

The Tibbals Learning Center will more than double the present exhibition space at the Circus Museum.  The state-of-the-art 30,600 sq. ft. center will house interactive circus exhibitions and display the Howard Bros. Circus, the world’s largest miniature circus. The ¾-inch-to-a-foot scale replica of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus was created by master model builder, philanthropist and circus enthusiast Howard C. Tibbals of Tennessee and Florida.  Tibbals donated $3 million in 2000 toward the construction of the new center and, later, he established a $3.5 million endowment to support innovative programs and staff for the Circus Museum.  Additional donations by Ringling Museum donors were matched by the state of Florida, bringing the impact of Tibbals’ original gift to $16 million.

The Howard Bros. Circus is the largest miniature circus in the world, with eight main tents, 55 railroad cars, 152 circus wagons, 1,500 performers and circus personnel, and more than 500 animals. It occupies 3,800 sq. ft. on the first floor of the Tibbals Learning Center.  A miniature circus street parade model, built by Tibbals’ model-building mentor Harold Dunn, is on display on the center’s second floor.  The street parade contains 38 circus wagons, 472 individually handcrafted performers and 442 animals, and it measures 148 feet in length.  Each individually carved and hand-painted wagon, animal and performer is an exact replica of a famous circus wagon, including the Five Graces which is presently housed in the Circus Museum.

The Tibbals Learning Center will also present interactive circus displays, and a revolving exhibition of more than 5,700 authentic circus posters. Tibbals’ personal workshop is also housed on the center’s second floor, allowing visitors to learn how the model builder created his amazing miniature.

“The Howard Bros. Circus is the preeminent model of the American circus, and is a marvel to behold,” said Dr. John Wetenhall, Executive Director of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.  “Howard Tibbals is a master model builder, circus historian and life-long circus enthusiast.  His generous gift and miniature circus will introduce thousands of visitors to the illustrious history of the circus in America.”

General Admission includes the special exhibition, Ringling Museum of Art, Cà d’Zan Mansion, Circus Museum, Mable’s Historic Rose Garden, Florida’s only rose test gardens, and 66 acres of landscaped grounds.  Adults are $15; senior citizens (65 and over) are $12.  Free Admission for children 12 and under accompanied by an adult, museum members, and Florida students and teachers with valid ID cards.  Information Line: 941.351.1660. Advance Tickets are recommended; call 941.358.3180. All pricing is subject to change.

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; and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal agency that fosters innovation, leadership, and a lifetime of learning.   Related educational programs received additional support from The Cowles Charitable Trust and The New York Times Company Foundation on the recommendation of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 

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 a world-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.

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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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