CF Appleton Museum of Art Welcomes the Season with Beloved Holiday Exhibition and Community Day

A longstanding, beloved holiday tradition returns to the Appleton Museum of Art with “A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition,” on view Nov. 7-Jan. 10.

The exhibition brings together a festive selection from the Christmas collection of Dr. Paul and Joyce Urban, including elaborately decorated themed trees, the popular Dickens Village miniature, an extensive nutcracker collection, handmade Santas from around the world and other seasonal favorites. New arrangements and details each year give returning visitors something different to discover.

Joyce Urban’s love of Christmas began during her childhood in Philadelphia, where visits to see Santa included walks past the elaborate holiday displays in the city’s department stores. That sense of wonder stayed with her, eventually inspiring her to begin publicly displaying her own collection in 1989 so that children and families could share in the experience.

Over the years, her Christmas Tour has also supported numerous local charities, including Harvest International, Interfaith, Pilot Club, Women’s Pregnancy Center and the Counseling Resource Center, where she worked as a counselor. In 2012, she opened Urban Counseling, continuing her commitment to helping others.

The Urban family is honored to share a portion of the collection with Appleton visitors each holiday season. “As the largest art museum in north-central Florida, the Appleton is grateful for the opportunity to share the Urban family’s wintry treasures with the community. The museum provides a festive setting for holiday gatherings and memorable photos with family and friends,” said director Jason Steuber.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, trees decorated by local community groups and organizations will be displayed throughout the museum’s first- and second-floor galleries. This year’s participants include Appleton Artspace, Art Approach, Artify Ocala/Marion Maker Collective, Arts in Health Ocala Metro, Better Together, Big Brothers Big Sisters Marion County, Bridge to Hope, CAMPUS USA Credit Union, College Park Elementary, East Marion Elementary, El Bell’s Flower Truck, Hands Up Communications with LN Signs and Greater Marion County Association of the Deaf (GMCAD), Hiers-Baxley – Highland Memorial Park, Ocala Royal Dames for Cancer Research, Soleil Bakery, The LILAC Foundation, TJM Promos, and Urban Counseling.

Regular admission fees apply to visit. Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month as part of the Free First Saturday program. Free First Saturdays are supported in part by CAMPUS USA Credit Union.

Holiday Community Day
Saturday, December 5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Celebrate the season at the Appleton Museum of Art’s annual Holiday Community Day, held on Free First Saturday, December 5. Admission is free all day from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Visitors can enjoy the festive holiday atmosphere with “A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition,” along with additional holiday displays, special exhibitions, and hands-on crafts in the Artspace. From 10 a.m.-3 p.m., guests can enjoy Face Painting by Tonya, and Sensational Selfies returns this year to capture photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Each guest will receive one free printed photo and a texted image. At 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., the auditorium will feature short holiday performances by Devotions Dance Company. Food trucks from 3 Scoops and a Truck, Dancing Empanada, Donut Express, and Poppy’s Dogs will be on-site with food and beverages available for purchase, as well as K’s Blooms and LifeSouth Community Blood Centers. This Free First Saturday/Holiday Community Day is sponsored by the Urban family and CAMPUS USA Credit Union.

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. Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month. For more information, call 352-291-4455 or visit AppletonMuseum.org.