To say these are exciting times at Selby Gardens would be an understatement — and it all comes back to you, our treasured supporters.
You have played a vital role in every aspect of Selby Gardens’ continued advancement and transformation – including the phenomenal success of our Master Plan’s Phase One and the incredible progress we have already made toward Phase Two with $50.4 million of the $60.9 million goal generated. That means we have already reached 83 percent of our Phase Two target!
What’s more, the cumulative total of funds raised to date for Phases One and Two stands at more than $114.5 million – including $9.5 million for endowment to foster long-term sustainability. It’s also important to note that 99 percent of all funds are from private philanthropy — making this undertaking a gift to our region and beyond.
Your dedication allows us to further enhance both the Downtown Sarasota and Historic Spanish Point campuses to ensure our resilience in the face of major storms — all while expanding our research facilities and educational offerings for the community and visitors.
We can all share in the recent accolades bestowed on Selby Gardens – from TIME magazine and The Wall Street Journal to Travel & Leisure, Vogue, and USA Today. Our Master Planning firm, OLIN Design Studio, also received the prestigious Philip Hanson Hiss Award from Architecture Sarasota for its transformative design.
All of this recognition is a testament to the innovative, essential work our best-in-class Selby Gardens team does to advance the preservation of the natural world, promote scientific research around the globe, and enrich our community.
Of course, there is no shortage of ways to engage with us this spring and summer. In this issue, you can read about reactions to our breathtaking Jean and Alfred Goldstein Exhibition George Harrison: A Gardener’s Life; learn about our summer exhibition The High Life: Contemporary Photography and the Birds; and take note of a special anniversary for our Historic Spanish Point campus while learning more about the exhibition on view there featuring our artist in residence Patti Smith.
In closing, your continued dedication will no doubt lead to our continued success. Thank you for staying on this rewarding journey with us — you have our deepest gratitude!
Cheers,
Jennifer O. Rominiecki, President and CEO