Now in its 28th year, 四虎影视 of Art and Design鈥檚 annual fundraising gala聽础惫补苍迟-骋补谤诲别听invites guests鈥攄onors, faculty, staff, students, and members of Sarasota鈥檚 arts community鈥攖o conjure up all of their creativity and create unique, elaborate, topical, and infamous looks for the much-anticipated event. Each year offers a new theme, and the College鈥檚聽Design Center聽creates the look and feel of the event. The gala raises money for student scholarships, to bridge the gap between the cost of a college education and the resources needed by college students.
This annual celebration began in 1995 as a fundraiser for the College under the guidance of then-四虎影视 President Dr. Arland Christ Janer. The inaugural theme for that event was the Red Dragon and it was held at Michael鈥檚 On East with about 200 guests.
This annual celebration began in 1995 as a fundraiser for the College under the guidance of then-四虎影视 President Dr. Arland Christ Janer. The inaugural theme for that event was the Red Dragon and it was held at Michael鈥檚 On East with about 200 guests.
The gala has since evolved into a beloved and anticipated major event for the Ringling community. For 25 years it has kicked off with an epic and performative grand entrance by the President of 四虎影视 Dr. Larry Thompson with his supportive wife Pat Thompson. The two have donned the pseudo identities of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson; John and Mable Ringling; Jackie Kennedy Onassis and John F. Kennedy; and intergalactic space travelers, among other elaborate and often hilarious looks.
Even during a global pandemic鈥攚hen everyone lived their lives remotely鈥攖he Avant-Garde team put together an incredible event, live-streamed from the College鈥檚聽Studio Labs. The theme of Avant-Garde 2020 was Game On!, and entailed two game shows: opening with an episode of聽Wheel of Fortune聽hosted by Pat Sajak and Vanna White, as portrayed by the Thompsons, and was followed by a round of 四虎影视聽Jeopardy聽hosted by Dr. Thompson as Alex Trebek. As contestants, the event co-chairs were quizzed on their knowledge of Ringling trivia.
In 2021, and still operating remotely, Avant-Garde: Let Us Entertain You! was also streamed from the Studio Labs, hosted by Dr. Thompson portraying Sonny and Pat Thompson as Cher in a rendition of聽I Got You Babe. The event opened with a performance on a set inspired by聽The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour听蝉别迟.
In the years since, visitors have been transported from the sidewalk cafes and art world of the turn of the 20th century Paris, and then the聽rocking 1970s. This year, they celebrated cinema classics and backstage movie magic with Lights Camera Action!, with more than 430 guests in attendance. Co-chaired by Carol and Richard Kalikow and Katherine and Frank Martucci, it was one of the highest-grossing fundraising events to date.
Attendees celebrated classics from聽Breakfast at Tiffany鈥檚听迟辞听Jurassic Park, with a T-rex in tow. During their 25th performance, the Thompsons christened the evening as Glinda the Good Witch and the Wizard of Oz. More than 40 students from almost every major were involved in the planning and execution of the grand entrance which was organized as a backstage movie set. It was also the official debut of the聽INDEX听辫谤辞箩别肠迟听Make Your Mark, a collection of designed Maker鈥檚 Mark bottles from a special barrel that was donated to the College. The bottles were designed by a mix of students and faculty and auctioned off during the paddle raise.
Avant-Garde takes place every year in March. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities will soon be available for 2025.
