Top Ringling Museums Volunteers Recognized

SARASOTA, Fla. – April 2, 2008 –Nine volunteers at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art received awards for each giving the Museum more than 500 hours service from March 2007-February 2008.  The Ringling Museum recognized them, along with 750 other volunteers on April 1, 2008. 

Leading the pack is John Fisher who gave 1,503.5 hours of service this year. Fisher greets guests at the membership desk in the John M. McKay Visitors Pavilion, leads tours in the Circus Museum, assists with fundraising projects and special events and chairs the Volunteer Advisory Council.

East County Sarasota resident, Evelyn Riker has been a dedicated volunteer for more than fourteen years.  This year she donated 862.25 hours of service to the Circus Museum archives. 

Wilmer Pearson, of Sarasota, gave 770.75 hours leading tours at the Circus Museum and the Cà d’Zan, ushering at the Historic Asolo Theater, greeting visitors and touring school groups.

Roberta Schaumleffel spent 701 hours of her time greeting visitors, assisting with special events and serving on the Volunteer Services Advisory Council.

Woodcarvers John Haynie and Stanley Smitten carved wooden circus objects in the Circus Museum giving 590 and 502 hours respectively.

Scott Nutter gave 537.5 hours as a docent, special events assistant and chair of the Cà d’Zan  holiday decorating committee.

Sarasota resident Ralph Sieve spread 518.5 hours as docent and co-editor of the docent volunteer newsletter. He also serves on the Docent Advisory Council and ushers at the Historic Asolo Theater.

As a docent and a member of the Docent Advisory Council, Joan Saunders gave 500.25 hours to the Museum.

The Ringling Museum volunteers collectively gave 65,982 hours of service last year.All tour guides and docents at the Ringling Museum are volunteers and helped serve the more than 330,000 visitors to the estate last year. Volunteer hours are an important component in grant applications, expanding staff manpower and monetary savings.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, in its affiliation with Florida State University, is the largest museum/university complex 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; Cà d’Zan, the Ringling historic mansion; the Circus Museum; the Original Asolo Theater; and historic architecture, courtyard, gardens and grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay.
###

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.
###