Arts & Culture Magazine - January/February 2008 - (Page 49) Architecture Issue 2008 The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd. two-story configuration of structural steel and pre-cast panels, etched with the names of American circus owners. The Center houses the extensive Tibbals Miniature Circus and serves as a learning center for theater, dance, music and art. Over at the Searing Wing, Willis Smith put in 23,000 square feet of new gallery space for future exhibits, expanding the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art’s total gallery space to 122,560 square feet. The design, which was inspired and approved by John Ringling, enhances the museum’s ability to present major traveling exhibitions and display more of the permanent collection. In addition to serving as construction managers, many staff members are actively involved in promoting the arts. Simonds, Ph.D., is a member of the Board of Directors of the Sarasota County Arts Council and involved as a member of the Manatee Educational Foundation in organizing and promoting the first annual “Heart and Soul” art auction and gala at the South Florida Museum, of which Willis A. Smith is the Masterpiece Sponsor. The company is also sponsoring the first ever juried art show during Arts Day, held January 11 through 13. The arts and cultural construction industry is all about perfectionism. “Our clients demand excellence and I like to believe that we deliver excellence,” says LaCivita. “I take so much pride when driving around town and seeing all the buildings that we put our heart and soul into,” says Sessions. “These structures are what make Sarasota an art and culture center and we are proud to be a part of making that happen.” Beyond being known as Builder of the Arts, Willis A. Smith Construction has a solid background in educational, industrial, commercial and healthcare projects. They have also taken a leadership role in green building. The company built their first sustainable structure in 2006, the Schroeder Manatee Ranch Corporate Headquarters. The firm now has eight staff members who are accredited professionals in the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Willis A. Smith Construction looks forward to increasingly more complex projects, both in the arts and commercial endeavors, so the firm can put its penchant for SmithBuilt perfectionism to work. Once their new sustainable Lakewood Ranch headquarters are built, given the rise in green interests—who knows?—maybe the Hollywood location scouts will choose Smith’s own green building as the scene of a film shoot. For more information on Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc., call 941.366.3116 or visit www.willissmith.com. arts and culture magazine : : 47 www.willissmith.com
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