Art for Today and Tomorrow

Gift to Help Contemporary Art Flourish at The Ringling

Dan Denton's gift establishes a contemporary art acquisition endowment at The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

The Ringling is excited to announce that Daniel J. Denton, board member, The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art Foundation, and the retired founder of Sarasota Magazine, has included a bequest in his estate plans to establish the Daniel J. Denton Contemporary Art Acquisition Endowment at The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art. The funds will be designated in support of contemporary art acquisitions.

In addition, The Ringling recently acquired Sideboard With Blue China, a monumental and intricate wood and glass work of art by renowned American artist Beth Lipman. This acquisition was made possible by a major gift, along with an endowment for the acquisition of contemporary art, from Dan Denton. This is a perfect example of a blended gift.

"I was inspired by the collecting achievements and generosity of the Kotlers and Covilles," Dan says. "I wanted to honor them and show my strong support for The Ringling's contemporary initiatives, and when I learned that the Sideboard—so magnificent when I first saw it in the galleries last year at Lipman's exhibition Precarious Possessions—was at the top of the Museum's wish list, I was thrilled to make the commitment."

Dan has been a longtime supporter of many Ringling initiatives including the Ringling International Arts Festival.