Reinvent Yourself! Ringling Museum of Art Wants Docents

SARASOTA, Fla. – (March 6, 2006) -- Now is the time to pursue your passion for art by becoming a docent at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Florida’s State Art Museum. Docents provide visitors with in-depth tours of various Ringling venues such as the Museum of Art, Ca d’Zan, the Ringlings’winter mansion, and the Circus Museum on a volunteer basis.

 “I have always been fascinated by art history and love the Ringling Museum’s collection, but I didn’t realize the broad scope of the Ringlings’ legacy and how important they are to the area’s history,” said Barbara Sweeney, Ringling docent of 10 years. “It is hard to describe just how much enjoyment I get and give from leading tours at the Museum.”

Applicants are not required to have an art background, but skills in public speaking and teaching are a plus. In addition to docents, available volunteer opportunities include hospitality events as well as other weekend opportunities.

“Many of the people who take these courses know nothing about art, but want to be a part of the Ringling Museum, one of the America’s most prominent art museum destinations,” said Cathy Orchowski, head of Volunteer Services. “We dedicate tremendous staff time to our volunteer training, but as a result, we have highly competent tour guides and docents who exhibit not only incredible self-confidence, but also reflect pride in themselves and our Museum.”

To learn more about this or other volunteer positions, contact the Museum today at 941.359.5700 ext. 3502, email volunteers@ringling.org or go to http://www.ringling.org/and select “Volunteers” on the home page. An application may be downloaded and faxed or mailed to: The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, Fl. 34243, attention: “Volunteer Office.”

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