CF Appleton Museum of Art Unveils New Lobby Mural Project

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, announces an initiative to bring new perspectives to the museum’s iconic lobby and add opportunities for contemporary artists through the display of dynamic large-scale works of art.

“Art on the Up and Up” is an innovative project series that allows invited Florida artists to develop original artworks that will become oversized vinyl graphics installed in the museum’s lobby. You’ll have to look up to see these unique works — the gravity-defying vinyls are secured to the underside of both the eastern and western marble staircases leading to the second-floor galleries.

“The museum’s striking travertine façade and reflecting pools have welcomed nearly 2 million visitors since opening in 1987,” said museum director Jason Steuber. “We’re delighted to present this fresh opportunity to reimagine the lobby and how we engage and welcome visitors, through the installation of contemporary art in unexpected places.”

CF Professor Tyrus Clutter is the inaugural “Art on the Up and Up” featured artist, and his vinyls inspired by William-Adolphe Bouguereau’s “The Shepherdess” and Elizabeth Jane Gardner’s “Daphnis and Chloe” are currently on display through the fall. Clutter noted that these two works are frequently chosen by his students for writing assignments when visiting the museum.

“They are iconic images from Arthur I. Appleton’s collection,” Clutter said. “I think many visitors are often attracted to them on their first visit to the museum and frequent visitors enjoy returning to them again and again.”

The Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. 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.