Sarasota attractions the Ringling Museum and Selby Gardens announce reopening

Two Sarasota landmarks have announced their plans to reopen in a news release.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art will open to its members on May 26, and to the public on May 27. Same for the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, which will open its downtown and its recently adopted Historic Spanish Point locations. The institutions have both been closed since March 17.

There are some limitations at the Ringling. The Tibbals Interactive Galleries in the Circus Museum will remain closed, as will the Bolger Playspace. Ca’ d’Zan will be open to explore on the first floor only, and the Historic Asolo Theater will remain closed. Docent-led tours will not be available. All food venues will be closed, but food and drink carts will be available. Trams will operate only for people with limited mobility.

Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets online, prior to arrival. Admission fees have been reduced to $15 through June 30.

Both institutions will limit occupancy, cancel tours, practice contactless ticket purchasing and are not accepting cash. The release stated that increased sanitizing and cleaning are happening, and social distance practices will be encouraged.

Art appreciators who have been missing their museum fix can enjoy several exhibits at the Ringling: “Sun Xun: Time Spy;” “Remaking the World: Abstraction from the Permanent Collection;” “Syd Solomon: Concealed and Revealed;” “Howie Tsui: Retainers of Anarchy” and “Being Seen: Recent Acquisitions from the Ringling Photography Collection.”

At the Circus Museum, guests can see “Tour du Monde” and “Suffragists and Circus.”

“We look forward to welcoming members and visitors back to the museum and our beautiful grounds," Steven High, the Ringling’s executive director said in the release. "We have been very busy preparing the museum and grounds and have made the appropriate modifications to ensure the safest experience for our guests.”

Selby Gardens will also reduce admission to $15. Its downtown location is featuring a special exhibition in collaboration with the Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg. “Salvador Dalí: Gardens of the Mind” highlights the artist’s use of botanical imagery alongside a surrealist-inspired display of tropical plants in the Tropical Conservatory and gardens.

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“We are excited to reopen alongside the Ringling,” Jennifer Rominiecki, Selby Gardens’ president and CEO, said in the release. “Our team has taken the utmost care and diligence in implementing on-site best practices that focus on the safety and well-being of our staff and visitors. We look forward to welcoming guests back to both our Downtown Sarasota and Historic Spanish Point campuses."

IF YOU GO

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art: Admission is $15 for adults and seniors through June 30, $15 active duty military, $10 Florida teachers, $5 college students and children 6-17, free for children 5 and younger and select college students. Admission to the art museum is free on Mondays. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. (941) 359-5700. ringling.org.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: Admission for both locations is $15, $15 children 4-17, free for children 3 and younger, free members and $10 for guests of members. Both locations are open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Downtown Sarasota, 900 S Palm Ave. (941) 366-5731. Historic Spanish Point, 337 N Tamiami Trail, Osprey. (941) 966-5214. selby.org.