Presented during March at the Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, are the exhibitions “Three from Cuba: The Art of Vicente, Miguel and Sandro – The Fantastic to the Sublime” and “For the Love of the Sea: Watercolors of Philip Steel.” In addition, guests can enjoy an After Hours featuring Irish music by Castlebay on March 1, Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s SoundArt Music Series performance of “Percussion!” on March 11, a Trips ’N’ Tours excursion to two local horse farms on March 22 and a “Big Apple Meets Little Apple” docent tour on March 29.
Daily admission to the Appleton Museum is $6 for adults; $4 for seniors 55 or better and students 19 and over; $3 for youths ages 10-18; and free for members, CF students, children age 9 and under, and active military personnel and their immediate families.
“Three from Cuba: The Art of Vicente, Miguel and Sandro – The Fantastic to the Sublime” features recent artwork by three of the top contemporary artists working in Cuba today, Vicente Hernandez, Miguel Florido and Sandro de la Rosa. All three work in oils on canvas, yet Hernandez creates fantastic scenes on land and in the sky, Florido paints simple yet elegant still lifes and de la Rosa produces dynamic and colorful portraits of family and friends. More than 30 works of art are on view in the exhibition that runs through April 1.
On display through March 11 is “For the Love of the Sea: Watercolors of Philip Steel.” An award-winning New England artist, Steel paints dramatic seascapes, views of the shore and boats that reflect his vast knowledge of the ocean and respect for those who make a living from the sea.
Leading off the month on March 1 is the Appleton’s After Hours with the Castlebay Duo performing “Songs of the Irish Poets” from 5 to 8 p.m. Guests can also enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres from Horse and Hounds Restaurant and watch art demonstrations by members of the Ocala Art Group. Music begins at 5:30 p.m. and admission is free for members, $8 for nonmembers.
The Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s SoundArt Music Series presents “Percussion!” on March 11 at 3 p.m. OSO’s music director and conductor Matt Wardell is joined by the symphony’s percussionists as they perform Cuban music and demonstrate some of the drum section’s core repertoire. Admission is $15 per person and includes a pre-concert docent tour of the museum. Tickets are available at the Appleton, at 352-351-1606 or online at
www.ocalasymphony.com.
The Appleton’s Trips ’N’ Tours program has scheduled a charter bus trip to two unique Ocala horse farms on March 22. First stop is the Gypsy Gold farm, home of America’s Gypsy Vanner horses. Guide is owner Dennis Thompson, who will explain the European gypsy heritage behind this breed and present the farm’s famous stallion Gypsy King. The second location will be Chasing A Dream thoroughbred farm with owner Chris Weiss hosting the tour and discussing all aspects of the farm’s operations. Lunch is included and price is $65 for members, $75 for nonmembers. For reservations contact Trips ’N’ Tour representatives Dodie Jerz or Bonnie Janssen at 352-291-4456 or email dodie@cf.edu or janssenb@cf.edu.
“Big Apple Meets Little Apple” will be the docent-led tour presented at 2 p.m. on March 29. This one-hour program focuses on artists whose works are on exhibit at both the Appleton Museum of Art and New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Tour is free for members and included in admission for nonmembers. No RSVP required.
The Appleton Museum of Art presents a permanent collection of European, American and Contemporary art, plus Asian, African, Islamic and pre-Columbian artifacts and antiquities. The Appleton Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays and closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. A 12-month membership is available for $25 for seniors 55 and over, $30 for adults 18 and over, $40 for two seniors over age 55, $50 for a family of two adults and any children under age 18, and $15 for all college students and current or retired educators. Owned and operated by College of Central Florida, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). For more information call the Appleton Museum of Art at 352-291-4455 or visit
www.AppletonMuseum.org.
