The Art and History of Flamenco Come Alive in New Exhibition at Appleton Museum of Art

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, will present the exhibition “Flamenco: From Spain to the U.S.,” Jan. 25-May 24, 2020.

Passionate, fiery, sensual, intense. “Flamenco: From Spain to the U.S.” provides an in-depth and multi-dimensional examination of the history and culture of Flamenco dance and music. Exhibition curator Nicolasa Chávez from the Museum of International Folk Art writes, “Flamenco developed as a folkloric tradition in southern Spain, beginning nearly 500 years ago. Flamenco was learned within the family and passed down through generations. By the end of the 19th century, it had become an art form presented on stage at new venues called cafés cantantes, which first showcased Flamenco in small nightclubs in Spain. The audience was comprised of tourists looking for an exotic experience and local aficionados, seasoned appreciators of the art form.”

The exhibition traces these origins to its arrival in the U.S. and its rise as an international art form. Traditional Flamenco continues as a way of life for the people of southern Spain and in other parts of the country, apart from the staged performance with which it is usually associated. In 2010, UNESCO declared Flamenco a Masterpiece of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Organized by the Museum of International Folk Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico and circulated through GuestCurator Traveling Exhibitions, the exhibition features close to 150 objects, dating from the late 19th century to the present, including costume, apparel and musical instruments. Other ephemera includes costume sketches and set designs by both Picasso and Goncharova, who collaborated on various pieces with the Ballets Russes.

“Flamenco: From Spain to the U.S.” is sponsored in part by Fine Arts for Ocala, Florida Division of Cultural Affairs and CAMPUS USA Credit Union.

Opening and Special Events

VIP Opening Reception, Talk and Flamenco Demonstration
Friday, Jan. 24, 6-8 p.m.

Appleton Director’s Circle and FAFO Collector’s Circle members are invited for a reception celebrating the opening of “Flamenco: From Spain to the U.S.” with a talk by exhibition curator Nicolasa Chávez, accompanied by Flamenco demonstrations sponsored by The Wandering Soul. Talk begins at 7 p.m. RSVP required to Colleen Harper, harperc@cf.edu, or 352-291-4455, ext. 1831.

Exhibition Talk and Flamenco Demonstration
Saturday, Jan. 25, 11 a.m.

Exhibition curator Nicolasa Chávez will give a talk about the exhibition, accompanied by Flamenco demonstrations. Free for Appleton members; included with museum admission fee for nonmembers. This event is sponsored by The Wandering Soul.

Maharaja Flamenco Trio, Musical Performance
Thursday, March 26, 6-8 p.m.

Join us for a performance by Maharaja Flamenco Trio, whose sound blends the flavors of Spain, Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean and more. They have performed nationwide from Florida to Harlem, on NPR and on television, and now at the Appleton. $15 for Appleton members and nonmembers; tickets available now at AppletonMuseum.org via Eventbrite. Cash bar available. This event is sponsored by Angie Lewis State Farm and Fine Arts for Ocala.

Owned and operated by the College of Central Florida, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). Parking is free. For more information, call 352-291-4455 or visit AppletonMuseum.org.