Philanthropy | Five Years of FUN at Sarasota Art Museum: Roxanne Permesl, Umbreen Khalidi-Majeed, and Elisabeth Waters

By Kaileia Suvannamaccha | Photos by Harry Sayer | April 2025

Sarasota Art Museum (SAM), part of Ringling College of Art and Design, recently celebrated its five-year anniversary since opening to the public in 2019, marking a milestone for contemporary art in the community. In December 2024, the Museum hosted Art Bash, its largest annual fundraiser. The event was co-chaired by Umbreen Khalidi-Majeed, Roxanne Permesly, and Elisabeth Waters. Their leadership ensured a successful event, with proceeds supporting innovative exhibitions and educational programs. 

A Museum Rooted in Community

Elisabeth Waters’ connection to the Museum dates back to the early 2000s, when Ringling College began fundraising to create the region’s only contemporary art museum. “We were among the first to host a gathering, inviting people to contribute toward transforming the old Sarasota High School into this incredible institution,” she recalls. Her early support helped lay the foundation for SAM as a vibrant contemporary art space.

“I used to drive by the high school all the time,” says Roxanne Permesly. “I knew people that attended, and my kids did some things there as well. Then, one day, I noticed the signs announcing an art museum was coming. It was something our community really needed. I wandered by, then wandered in—I was just captured.”

For Umbreen Khalidi-Majeed, the Museum was on her radar from multiple sources. “Elisabeth has her finger on the pulse of everything cool that’s happening in Sarasota, so I remember her telling me about it,” she explains. “Then, I began to read great articles about the architecture of the building, including this fascinating story about these gargoyles on top that had gone missing. But the linchpin was an incredible photo series by Barbara Banks of the people who did the construction.”  Banks’ Memory Project, on view on the Museum’s first floor, celebrates the many dozens of workers that helped transform the Museum’s iconic buildings into what is now a cherished Sarasota cultural landmark.

Though each co-chair arrived at SAM through different paths, they share a common goal: making the Museum an engaging, welcoming space for all.

The co-chairs praise Executive Director, Virginia Shearer, for her commitment to maintaining the Museum’s uniquely dynamic exhibition schedule. Unlike other local and regional museums, SAM is not home to a permanent collection. Instead, the Museum remains at the forefront of the contemporary art world by offering visitors an ever-rotating lineup of works by national and international artists. “Even if you’re there all the time, you see new things every time you walk in,” says Elisabeth.

Beyond its exhibitions, Sarasota Art Museum emphasizes education, with classes offering hands-on experiences for art-makers of all ages and skill levels, from painting, drawing, and ceramics to digital arts and even beat-boxing. Additionally, SAM welcomes school groups year-round, and engages the local community through popular offerings like its monthly Free Second Sundays. A rich variety of programs—like artist talks, curator tours, and the not-to-be-missed Jazz Thursday outdoor concert series—ensure community members are excited to return again and again throughout the year. SAM is also home to one of the region’s most distinctive gift shops, beloved by locals and tourists alike, as a destination for one-of-a-kind artisan items at all price points. The Museum’s Bistro is also a favorite, featuring a fresh menu of farm-to-table fare and a lively dining atmosphere.

Art Bash Success

Reflecting on their vision for Art Bash 2024, the co-chairs enthusiastically describe their collaboration with Laura Stuart Wood, Director of Special Events. The theme for the event, Biomorphic Glow, was inspired by the otherworldly inflatable works in artist Claire Ashley’s exhibition Chromatic Blush, which was on view at the Museum from October 2024-January 2025. When asked to interpret the biomorphic theme to attendees, Umbreen shared that “wearing anything that evoked movement—feathers, sequins, metallic textures—anything that felt alive,” was perfect.

Roxanne highlights the importance of the Museum’s leadership in bringing this vision to life. “The people in the administration are very bright, knowledgeable, and well-connected. They have an intense desire to make this Museum not just a space for art, but a cultural center for our community.”

Umbreen is proud of the funds raised for a Museum that’s still relatively young. “It’s only five years old, but it’s already making a huge impact,” she says. 

Elisabeth adds that the Museum’s inclusive and lively environment draws a diverse audience. “We want to bring in new people. There’s always something going on. It’s just a fun place to be.”

SAM is welcoming to everyone, regardless of age or experience. “Whether you’re an art expert or someone stepping into a museum for the first time, there’s something for everyone. It’s bright, colorful, and happy. It’s about learning, not just observing,” says Roxanne.

Future Now: Innovation Through Art

One of SAM’s most compelling current exhibitions, Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks, explores how contemporary artists push the boundaries of sustainable shoe design through technology, unconventional materials, and innovation.

“It’s about shoes. And we all wear shoes, right?” says Umbreen. “And then it’s the innovation of shoes—shoes are just so universally relatable.” 

The exhibition delves into how footwear has evolved alongside humanity, examining not just design and function but also radical and exciting possibilities the future holds. Featuring groundbreaking concepts like 3D-printed shoes and footwear made from biodegradable materials to experimental designs utilizing mushroom leather and ocean plastic, Future Now reimagines what’s possible. 

“The idea that you could 3D print a shoe made from mushroom spores in the morning and compost it at night? That’s mind-blowing,” she adds. 

For the co-chairs, Future Now perfectly encapsulates SAM’s mission. “It’s not just about showcasing art; it’s about engaging with ideas that matter,” Roxanne explains. “This exhibition bridges history, fashion, sustainability, and technology in a way that sparks conversation and imagination.”

A Thinking Museum: “Art For All, Every Day” 

Many exhibitions at SAM are site-specific, meaning artists adapt their work to the unique space. The Museum’s architecture blends modern design with elements of the original Sarasota High School, a feature that resonates deeply with Roxanne. “It was done so beautifully to keep some of the original structure and architectural patterns of the school, which we all knew and loved.”

The Museum’s collaborative approach encourages artists to interact directly with the public—teaching, sharing, and even dining with visitors. This openness allows museumgoers to connect more deeply with the artists and their work, fostering a sense of community where people feel involved in the creative process. The SAM Adventures travel program takes the exploration of contemporary art further by bringing supporters to museums, private collections, and artist studios throughout the country. 

Sarasota Art Museum’s ability to create accessible spaces allows everyone—whether artist, visitor, or supporter—to feel at ease. “It doesn’t feel intimidating in any way. And that’s important,” Roxanne says. 

“The cool thing about SAM is there’s no barrier because it’s contemporary art,” according to Umbreen. “You can look at a sculpture and think, could I have made that? And the short answer is no, you wouldn’t have. And it’s thought-provoking. You think how and why did they do that? What’s the story behind it?”

Contemporary art, they find, fosters a more open-ended conversation between the work and its viewers, with people discovering just what SAM adds to the entire town and the community. As Umbreen puts it, “It’s been growing. And we’re just a part of making that happen.” 

Looking Ahead 

As Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College moves into its next chapter, its supporters like Waters, Permesly, and Khalidi-Majeed remain committed to its growth. For those who have yet to experience the Museum, the co-chairs have a simple message: Come in. Wander. Engage. Be inspired. Be a part of it.

With its inviting atmosphere, rotating exhibitions, and commitment to education, Sarasota Art Museum continues to evolve and inspire—a testament to the collaboration of creativity and community engagement.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Sarasota Art Museum, please visit sarasotaartmuseum.org.