Sarasota Museum of Art Annual Directors Meeting
SMOA Nascent Beginning Reviewed, Incumbent Officers Re-elected
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SARASOTA MUSEUM OF ART (SMOA) ANNUAL DIRECTORS MEETING
Year Reviewed, Incumbents to Serve Second Term
/Vermont News Articles/ - Sarasota, FL, June 24, 2005 - Sarasota Museum of Art spokesperson and President, Wendy Surkis, announced today that the recent annual Board of Directors meeting for the Modern and Contemporary Art Museum resulted in a re-election of all officers and directors to a second term. The election extends Surkis' term as President, Dottie Baer Garner will continue as Vice President, Irene Kauffman will serve another year as Secretary and Peppi Elona will again perform the task of Treasurer. Continuing to serve on the Board of Directors are Linda and Dick Dickinson, Robert Garner, Tom Germain, William Hartman, Mark Kauffman, Elaine and Ed Keating, Liz and David Kruidenier, John Meyer, and John Wilkes.
At the annual meeting the group also reviewed its myriad accomplishments and progress toward opening the doors of Sarasota's first museum to focus on modern and contemporary art. "This has been a remarkable and exciting year for us," said Surkis. "We truly went from a whisper of an idea, a dream really, to what is going to be one of Sarasota's most treasured cultural and educational assets."
In a collaborative effort, SMOA joined forces with the Ringling School of Art and Design (RSAD) to establish the Visual Arts Education Center. Last October, the Sarasota County School Board voted unanimously to award the historic and currently vacant 1926 Collegiate Gothic-style Sarasota High School building to SMOA and RSAD. "Our plan is to restore the building's faƧade to its original design and re-adapt the interior space to house the Museum on the first floor with the second and third floors reserved for RSAD's ever growing need for classroom and studio space," explained Surkis. The site will establish RSAD's south campus.
John Belle, noted architect and driving force behind the incredible renovation of Ellis Island from a dilapidated eyesore to the extraordinary National Museum of Immigration, visited Sarasota in May to offer the RSAD Class of 2005 commencement words of encouragement and wisdom. At a luncheon for SMOA/RSAD project supporters, Belle shared his insight on the project. "It's going to be hard---but you'll be leaving a legacy for the community. You need to take the risk and do it," he emphasized.
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