River News Now Breaking News Travel

Sarasota, Florida (NAPSI) - Getting past the sun and surf, culture-savvy insiders know that Sarasota County is much more than its beaches, boating, golfing and dining.

Ranked as the No. 3 Best Art Town in John Villani's book "The 100 Best Art Towns in America," this mecca for the arts can boast its own globally acclaimed art museums, opera, ballet, symphony orchestras and theater.

It all started with John Ringling of Ringling Brothers fame. When he built a winter home in Sarasota County in the mid-1920s, he brought along his splendid art collection, which he acquired in his world travels when looking for new circus acts.

Ringling's emphasis on the arts is celebrated annually in October with the Festival sARTée as well as a five-day international festival. Partnered between The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota County and the Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York City, eleven stage productions will headline this year's Ringling International Arts Festival (October 13−17).

Sarasota County's modern thriving art scene also includes the Sarasota Opera, the Sarasota Orchestra, the Sarasota Ballet (the only professional company in Florida's Gulf) as well as the Asolo Repertory Theatre.

For more information, call (800) 522-9799 or visit www.sarasotafl.org/arts.