Elephants transformed into swans, beautiful girls turned into birthday cakes, and clowns became kings. These whimsical visions are captured in the drawings of the talented costume designer Miles White (1914-2000). Paired with original costumes and contemporary photographs, White’s spectacular drawings evoke the adventurous era of design that emerged in mid-century American performance.

This exhibition will include original sketches, watercolors, swatchbooks, and ther production documents. Some drawings will be paired with actual wardrobe pieces and historic photographs. Over 500 of White’s original sketches and watercolors are in the Tibbals Circus Collection at The Ringling.

Image: Miles White, Gena Lipowska & Charles Moroski Liberty Act, 1951. Tibbals Circus Collection.