Honoring Sarasota High School's Legacy
While we are in between reunions, there is other important business to do! At our 40th Reunion in May of 2010, many of you took the tour of the "Old Building" and saw the potential with the partnership with Ringling College of Art and Design. Some of you were instrumental in saving the building. But we are not there yet. Read on.
After a two-year dialogue with area arts, educational and community leaders, Sarasota Museum of Art (SMOA) partnered with Ringling College of Art and Design to transform the historic Sarasota High School into a state-of-the-art education center, which would also house the art museum. In a time when older structures are often torn down to make way for new buildings, this project is about keeping and bringing to life an important part of Sarasota’s history. In addition, the transformation of the historic Sarasota High School into the new Visual Arts Education Center will preserve this important icon of Sarasota’s architectural and educational heritage. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this landmark building will regain its stature as one of the area’s most significant and recognizable structures.
Imagine the tagline, “The Old SHS Building Keeps on Teaching!” To date, almost 14 million has been raised towards the entire project. How much has come from the SHS Alumni? About $5,000. How could it be that there wasn’t a major push by alumni to have their mark on the future of this building? Why isn’t there an army of graduates leading the way? The answer was an army of former students had fought against the destruction of the building and felt that since Ringling College of Art & Design had taken it over the battle was won. NOT SO! We can still lose the building. If SMOA does not raise the full $22 million the project will go away. We invite you, the Alumni, to join us on this exciting journey and make our mark on this wonderful project by sponsoring the Auditorium…The “SHS Alumni Auditorium”.
Ladies and gentlemen we have to do this, and here is how: The total amount we need to raise is $2.5 million for this Auditorium naming opportunity. Now is the time for the classes to work together and raise the rest. So form a group, or gather your class.
Let’s get this done Sailors!
