The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, will open three new exhibitions Saturday, Nov. 12.
On loan from the Huntsville Museum of Art Nov. 12-Jan. 22, “John James Audubon: Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America” presents an impressive collection of 36 original large-format Audubon prints. In the 1830s, as renowned naturalist and artist John James Audubon (1785-1851) was completing the final plates for his monumental Birds of America series, he and his sons began to gather material for his second and equally ambitious undertaking. Planning to complete the definitive study of American wildlife, Audubon set out to document the animals of North America, and to present them in a format as impressive as he had used for his birds. The result of his years of field research, travel, and seemingly endless study was the “Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America,” the 19th century’s seminal work on American animals.
Nov. 12-Jan. 1, the Ocala Art Group’s annual juried show, “A Toast to the Arts: Masters of Inspiration,” will feature work by members of OAG and artists from Central Florida. The exhibition is juried by Phyllis Craggs, owner of Art with a Heart, a nonprofit that provides art therapy projects for seniors in assisted living facilities in Ocala. An opening reception will be held Saturday, Nov. 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; awards will be announced at 6:30 p.m. This free event is open to the public.
Also Nov. 12-Jan. 1, the Appleton and Urban Family invite you to celebrate “A Dickens Christmas.” Along with the popular Dickens villages, see several of the Urban’s beloved themed trees throughout the museum. Trees decorated by community members and businesses will also be on display in the second-floor galleries.
Saturday, Dec. 3, the community is invited to the annual free Urban Family Day. View the Urban Family’s holiday collection, along with the other permanent and special exhibitions on display and create holiday inspired art in the ARTSpace. From 1-3 p.m. visitors can take carriage rides on the museum grounds, have photos taken with Santa and enjoy light refreshments.
Daily admission to the Appleton Museum of Art is $8 for adults; $6 for seniors 55 or better; $5 for students 19 and over; $4 for youths ages 10-18; and free for members, CF students, children age 9 and under, and active military personnel and their immediate families. The museum, ARTSpace and Appleton Store are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and closed every Monday. The museum will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.