A veteran of the scene, Jane Buckman has been involved in the art world near all her life. Leaving academia with a master’s degree, Buckman served as artist in residence for the city of Chicago, showing her work in galleries before shifting her focus to the world of arts education and administration. Having worked across the country at such schools as the Art Institute in Chicago, Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles and Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Buckman brings a wealth of experience and perspective to Ringling College’s Longboat Key Center for the Arts as its director.

What do you feel the Longboat Key Center for the Arts adds to the community? Being a division of Ringling College of Art and Design, we strive to parallel the quality arts education and programming to the communities of Sarasota and Manatee counties. Being located on the north end of Longboat Key, we understand that we are a destination business appealing to individuals who will take the drive along the beautiful Gulf Coast and end up here where the environment is relaxing, beautiful (you even might see a few peacocks!), and where your creative mind can flourish as you are exposed to a variety of educational and cultural programs to delight all of your senses. We are unique because very few private arts colleges around the world have facilities like we have on Longboat Key, where our mission is to provide quality cultural and creative programming to the residents and guests of our region.

What's the best part about running a gallery? Of course, the opening reception of a new exhibit! That is when the hard work of your labor is seen and appreciated. Very few people realize the amount of planning that goes into a gallery exhibit from concept through to the execution of name-tags for your guests. I especially love the time when “a plan comes together.” At our facility, along with gallery exhibitions, we offer classes, workshops, concerts and lectures focused on the arts and creativity. From program development to hiring and contracting the roster of talented artists we engage, it’s a very satisfying and creative field to be engaged in.