The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation has provided $250,000 in support of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art’s new Center for Asian Art in the Dr. Helga Wall-Apelt Gallery of Asian Art. In recognition of this generous gift, the primary entrance hall to the new addition at the Museum of Art will be named the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation Grand Hall.

“The Selby Foundation Board was happy to support this request to add another jewel in the crown of this wonderful asset we have in our community — The Ringling,” Dr. Sarah Pappas, president, William G. and Marie Selby Foundation said.

Scheduled to open in early 2016, the Center for Asian Art, designed by Machado Silvetti, includes a new pavilion and a major renovation to an existing portion of the Museum of Art. The renovations and addition will create 6,800 square feet of gallery space, a 125-person lecture hall, a print study room, open object storage, and study rooms. The Center will display works from The Ringling’s permanent collection including gifts from the Citrin and Koger families as well as loans from partner institutions and the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation. Objects on display at the Center for Asian Art will examine the many cultures and histories that represent Asia.