Now in its 28th year, Ringling College of Art and Design’s annual fundraising gala Avant-Garde invites guests—donors, faculty, staff, students, and members of Sarasota’s arts community—to 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’s Design Center 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-Ringling College President Dr. Arland Christ Janer. The inaugural theme for that event was the Red Dragon and it was held at Michael’s On East with about 200 guests.
This annual celebration began in 1995 as a fundraiser for the College under the guidance of then-Ringling College President Dr. Arland Christ Janer. The inaugural theme for that event was the Red Dragon and it was held at Michael’s 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 Ringling College 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—when everyone lived their lives remotely—the Avant-Garde team put together an incredible event, live-streamed from the College’s Studio Labs. The theme of Avant-Garde 2020 was Game On!, and entailed two game shows: opening with an episode of Wheel of Fortune hosted by Pat Sajak and Vanna White, as portrayed by the Thompsons, and was followed by a round of Ringling College Jeopardy 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 I Got You Babe. The event opened with a performance on a set inspired by The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour set.
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 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 Breakfast at Tiffany’s to 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 INDEX project Make Your Mark, a collection of designed Maker’s 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.
