Saturday April 16, 2022 is World Circus Day. A day to celebrate the amazing entertainment circuses around the world have provided us. Every year an artist is commissioned by Princess Stephanie of Monaco to design an announcement card for this special event. In 2013 I had the honor of being selected to create the artwork.
It is difficult for me to grasp the ending of The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. I’ve lived most of my life in the city that was distinctly shaped by and benefited tremendously from their presence since 1927.
The Greatest Show on Earth ends Sunday May 21, 2017.
John Ringling knew what he was doing when the Florida building bust devastated the city in the 1920’s. Moving his circus winter headquarters to Sarasota brought visitors and business to the city while much of the state continued to struggle through heavily depressed times.
With the winter quarters established in Sarasota it wasn’t long before every travel guide linked the city to the circus.
In the 1950’s entertainment attractions began popping up throughout Florida drawing visitors away from Sarasota and Ringling’s winter quarters circus performances. A grand metal entrance sign was erected to provide more visibility for attracting tourists to the quarters.
The circus has become a favorite subject for me to paint and has given me some outstanding commissions from Feld Entertainment and The World Circus Federation. Through these I’ve been privileged to get to experience some fantastic, behind the scene private tours including a visit to the exceptional sanctuary Feld Entertainment has provided for the elephants.
There are dozens of other circuses performing world wide but none will ever seem quite as great to me as the Greatest Show on Earth.
And just a note:
If the Ringling Museum Gift Shops are sold out of the Winter Quarters poster you can purchase them through my studio.
Packing up “Rehearsal” for its trip to the ………….
38th Annual Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo!
“Rehearsal,” as you may already have read in this blog, was commissioned by Princess Stephanie of Monaco, in celebration of World Circus Day 2013.
It is being very carefully packed for delivery to Monaco this January.
The artwork will be presented at the 38th Annual Festival
International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo, and the prize of the highest bidder!
The Festival was founded by Prince Rainier III in recognition of the
importance of circus arts as part of European and, indeed,
world culture. I am so very honored to have been selected
by Princess Stephanie to create this piece.
“Rehearsal” has been reproduced in a small, limited-edition of 100 prints. They measure 16×20 and are signed and numbered. They are available through the studio and on Etsy. Unframed prints are $100 ea..
The artwork has also been licensed for reproduction on paper goods and some especially nice gifts. These can be purchased online anytime at zazzle.
World Circus Day 2013 Announcement Card
Commissioned by Princess Stephanie of Monaco
for the Federation Mondiale du Cirque
Sent worldwide on April 20, 2013
dagdart.com 