Appleton Museum of Art February Exhibitions, Programs and Events

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, presents a full schedule of special exhibitions, programs and workshops during February.

Opening on Jan. 30, visitors can enjoy the landmark exhibition “Memories & Inspiration: The Kerry and C. Betty Davis Collection of African American Art.” Organized and toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, D.C., this show presents 62 works of art from a collection that was amassed over 35 years by the Davises. Kerry, a retired mailman, and Betty, a former television news producer, gladly gave up many ordinary comforts in order to live with extraordinary paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures. Their pioneering collection includes masterpieces by Radcliffe Bailey, Romare Bearden, Beverly Buchanan, Elizabeth Catlett, Ernest T. Crichlow, Sam Gilliam, Loïs Mailou Jones, Jacob Lawrence, Gordon Parks, Alma Thomas and Charles White. Visitors can enjoy free admission every Saturday and Sunday in February to see this exceptional display.

Learn more about “Memories & Inspiration” and the Davises’ collection on Sunday, Feb. 28, at 2 p.m. during a free, online Zoom talk with Kerry Davis. He will be accompanied by celebrated artist and curator Kevin Sipp. Zoom login details are available at AppletonMuseum.org.

Also on view during February, “Luminous Worlds: Paintings by Kristin Herzog” featuring bold, abstract works by the Florida artist. Drawn from the permanent collection, bright and colorful prints by Clayton Pond, as well as work that focuses on the Sunshine State by Florida artists, are sure to please audiences of all ages.

Special online programs during February include a meeting of the Appleton Book Club on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m. Bibliophiles and art enthusiasts alike will enjoy reading “The Brilliant History of Color in Art” by Victoria Finlay. Register for the free, online meeting at Eventbrite.com by searching “Appleton Book Club.” On Thursday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m., the monthly Artist’s Outlook series will present a free, live Zoom talk by American figure painter Anthony Ackrill. Login details are available at AppletonMuseum.org.

For those interested in art-making, our weekly Teaching Tuesday series continues with pre-recorded, instructional art projects for children. A new video is posted on the Appleton Facebook page and YouTube channel every Tuesday at 10 a.m. Previously posted videos remain accessible for later viewing. For adults, our popular Art 101 workshops are currently online and free. February’s workshop features a clay Valentine’s dish project; participants must provide their own supplies and will be given a supply list in advance. Registration information is available for this Feb. 9 workshop at Eventbrite.com or visit AppletonMuseum.org.

For questions on Appleton exhibitions, events or programs, contact AppletonMuseum@cf.edu.

A campus of 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.