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SMOA began fundraising efforts in 2007 to transform the historic Sarasota High School into a modern/contemporary art museum and visual arts education center, the release explains. To date, the campaign has raised $19,551,896.66 out of a total $22 million needed to renovate the structure and to estab- lish an operating endowment. "This Challenge validates the creative risk we took in undertaking this monumental proj- ect," Ringling College President Thompson noted in the release. "To see this groundswell of community support is so gratifying, and we look forward to opening the doors to the pub- lic in as little as 18 months after we secure final funding," he added. "As Sarasota's first art museum devoted to modern and contemporary art, SMOA interweaves exhibitions, educational pro- grams and community outreach initiatives to engage a diverse audience and serve as a stimulating hub for creative discovery," the release continues. When fully funded, SMOA and Ringling College will transform the for- mer Sarasota High School building into nearly 60,000 square feet of exhibition space; a 110-seat multi-purpose auditorium; sculp- ture court; indoor/outdoor café; classrooms and studios providing education programs for adults and children; and meeting spaces. This year, SMOA continued its community education and engagement efforts through the ARTmuse program featuring installation artist Lisa Hoke, the release notes. "Using massive quantities of everyday consumer materi- als, Lisa created one of her color-saturated Sarasota News Leader April 4, 2014 Page 113 Patrick Dougherty began his Stickworks piece at the Sarasota Museum of Art in January 2013. Photo by Arielle Scherr