The Ringling College Galleries and Exhibitions team and students studying in the College’s Business of Art and Design program have come together to present an exhibition titled Head to Toe. 

The exhibition, which celebrates the work of fashion icon and influencer Marie Colbert, will be on display from November 11-December 14 in the College’s Willis Smith Construction Inc. Gallery. 

Colbert is known for introducing “camouflage” to the industry. Her collection considers the influences of culture and inclusion over time, taking viewers on a journey wherein familiarity and newness coincide. The space will feature samples by high fashion names such as Oscar de la Renta, Donna Karan, Lester Hayatt, Paloma Picasso, Chanel, and Ungaro.

Students on the curatorial team are enrolled in a semester-long class titled Role of the Curator. 

Students had to apply for the class and were selected based on how their skills and experiences aligned with the roles required for the class, according to Tim Jaeger, the director and chief curator of Ringling College’s Galleries and Exhibitions. Jaeger is also the instructor for the course.

The students are:

• Jude Zawaideh ’23, Business of Art and Design
• Christina Antoniou ’24, Fine Arts
• Jordan George ’23, Business of Art and Design
• Ping Ho ’24, Visual Studies
• Pao Chutijirawong ’23, Fine Arts
• Bella Erhamza ’24, Business of Art and Design
• Linda Liao ’23, Business of Art and Design
• Diego Villarreal ’24, Game Art
• Kia Dixon ’24, Business of Art and Design

Throughout the semester, students have been learning first hand how to successfully produce an exhibition. The course covers a number of other topics in related arts disciplines, business, and entrepreneurship. 

The Business of Art and Design program integrates the disciplines of design and business management, equipping students with a passion for art and design with the skills they need to lead creative industries. 

The exhibit will be on display through December 11 and is open to the community from 9 am to 3 pm daily, and from 12-4 pm on Saturdays. Admission is free. The Willis Smith Gallery is located on the first floor of the Larry R. Thompson Academic Center at 2363 Old Bradenton Road, Sarasota. Visitor parking is available directly in front of the building.