Levy Careers and Colleges Expo Oct. 3 at CF

The College of Central Florida will host the 2024 Careers and Colleges Expo on Thursday, Oct. 3, from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus, 15390 N.W. Highway 19, Chiefland.

This free event offers high school seniors, transfer students, current college students and their families the opportunity to explore career paths and talk with around 25 vendors representing colleges and universities, trade schools and local career opportunities. CF admissions, academic and financial aid advisors will be available to assist prospective students. The expo is part of the Florida School and College Relations Tour and is presented in connection with Levy County School District.

For more information, visit cf.edu/levyexpo.

CF Webber Gallery Hosts “Equine Impressions” Exhibition

The College of Central Florida Webber Gallery will pay homage to Ocala’s status as the Horse Capital of the World by hosting the “Equine Impressions” exhibition on view Sept. 30-Oct. 31.

Curated by the Florida-based 24 Hands Printmaking Collective, featured artworks in all forms of printmaking will highlight the beauty, spirit and grandeur of horses and the equine world.

The community is invited to an opening reception on Friday, Oct. 4, from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

The Webber Gallery is located at the CF Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and admission is free. For more information, visit www.CF.edu/Webber or call 352-854-2322, ext. 1664.

CF’s Appleton Museum of Art announces a new schedule of studio art classes

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, announces a new schedule of studio art classes designed to inspire creativity and new skills in artmaking. Beginning this fall, the museum will offer a variety of courses for artists of all ages and skill levels. From abstract painting and clay to options for homeschoolers and early learners, classes are led by experienced artists and seasoned art educators who provide participants with the opportunity to explore their artistic potential in a safe, supportive and inspiring environment.

Upcoming classes for adults include a six-week wheel throwing class on Saturdays, Sept. 28-Nov. 2. For those interested in painting, there are two workshops led by Ocala artists; both workshops meet on two consecutive Saturdays from 1-5 p.m. Lisa Russo will teach sunflower still-life acrylic painting on Sept. 28 and Oct. 5, and Heather Dawn Batchelor will teach an abstract painting workshop on Nov. 9 and 16. For full class details and registration, visit AppletonMuseum.org.

On Sept. 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m., adults 21 and up can take a special Pints and Prints workshop. Led by instructors E. Marie Fielding and Vanessa Zumba-Gonzalez, participants will experiment with three printmaking techniques while enjoying a personal charcuterie box from La Casella and a trio of craft beers. Those enrolled will take home a block print, gel print and dry point etching. Cost is $60 for Appleton members; $85 for nonmembers. Visit AppletonMuseum.org to register.

Returning to a once per month schedule, the Museum & Me program for ages 2-5 is offered from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays, Sept. 3, Oct. 1 and Nov. 5. The Museum Happenings program is designed for independent and homeschool students ages 6-9 to explore the museum. Including an educator-led visit to the galleries and artmaking activity, the program is scheduled for Tuesdays, Sept. 24 and Oct. 29, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Both Museum & Me and Museum Happenings are free for children and Appleton members; included with admission fee for adult nonmembers. Pre-registration is required by visiting AppletonMuseum.org.

Multi-week classes for children will focus on developing students’ interest in art while learning new skills and techniques. Art Adventures for ages 5-7 meets from 10:30 a.m.-noon on three consecutive Saturdays, Oct. 5-19. For ages 8-12, the Art Explorations program offers a three-week session in September exploring the wildlife of Florida using a variety of materials. This class is offered on Wednesdays, 3:30-5 p.m., or Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Clay classes for children include a six-week Clay Explorations class for ages 8-12 on Wednesdays, Oct. 2-Nov. 6, and a six-week session in wheel throwing for teens on Saturdays, Sept. 28-Nov. 2. For full class details and registration, visit AppletonMuseum.org.

Registration is now open. For inquiries, please contact AppletonEducation@cf.edu.

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.

CF Appleton Museum of Art unveils new lobby mural project

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, announces a new installation of “Art on the Up and Up,” featural astrophotographs by Phil Rosenberg.

Installed beneath the east and west staircases in the museum lobby, this project series invites Florida artists to create original artworks that are transformed into oversized vinyl graphics, bringing life to otherwise unused spaces. The vibrant images of space by Phil Rosenberg now replace Tyrus Clutter’s permanent collection-inspired images featuring work by artists William Adolphe Bouguereau and Elizabeth Jane Gardner.

Rosenberg’s astrophotographs are composites of images taken from his personal observatory using a large 36 cm Rowe Ackerman Schmidt Astrograph (RASA) and a Canon EOS Ra camera. Rosenberg has been an avid stargazer since childhood. His Marion County home is unique for its domed observatory, where he actively observes and photographs the wonders of the night sky. Along with his watercolorist wife, Charlotte, he has donated 34 computerized, robotic telescopes to elementary and middle schools. Additionally, they have provided large observatory-class telescopes to the College of Central Florida and Broward College, encouraging students to share in his passion for astronomy.

Regular admission fees apply to visit. Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month as part of the Free First Saturday program.

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.

“Wall: Five Decades of Contemporary Art” to Open at CF Appleton Museum

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, presents “Wall: Five Decades of Contemporary Art.”

On view now in the second-floor galleries, “Wall” is an inventive survey of artwork from the permanent collection featuring 30 works by 28 artists, created over a 53-year timespan (1964-2017) anchored in the 20th and 21st centuries. The exhibition’s namesake, “Wall,” is a nod to Robert Indiana’s large-scale industrial print that is on display. “Wall” is also a reminder that, although ubiquitous and seemingly mundane, walls have multiple sides that represent many things. They construct spaces that literally function but also symbolize the ideas of “inside vs. outside” and “free vs. confined.” Across three gallery spaces, the Appleton curatorial team juxtaposed the works to create dynamic groupings that illustrate how artists push the limits of medium, line, form, texture and color to communicate with audiences.

“The exhibition showcases newly acquired gifts to the collection alongside visitor favorites,” noted Appleton Director Jason Steuber. “We invite everyone to come spend time with these world-class works that grace the gallery walls. Masterpieces by Andy Warhol, Marc Chagall, Salvador Dali, Janet Fish, Alison Saar, Robert Indiana and more than 20 other artists await you.”

Born in the 19th and 20th centuries, the artists included in “Wall” hail from Belarus, Canada, Cuba, France, Greece, Spain, Ukraine and United States, embracing a wide range of media and techniques. Their embrace of previous epochs, art movements and styles is clear, yet simultaneously, they each disrupt and challenge these inherited traditions to distinguish themselves.

Regular admission fees apply to visit. Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month as part of the Free First Saturday program.

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.

Weather Update: Hurricane Debby

Aug. 5, Noon Update:
The College of Central Florida will reopen Tuesday, Aug. 6, following Hurricane Debby. The reopening is for all sites, including the Ocala Campus, Wilton Simpson Citrus Campus, Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus, Hampton Center, Appleton Museum and Vintage Farm, as well as online classes. Scheduled activities will also resume.

We understand that some students, faculty and staff in our service area of Citrus, Levy and Marion counties may have been affected by the storm, and we encourage personal discretion as they resume normal activities. Students who have been impacted should work directly with their instructors.

The safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff are among our highest priorities as we also continue to serve our mission of providing education to our students.

Aug. 4, 1:50 p.m. Update:
The College of Central Florida will be closed Monday, Aug. 5, due to Tropical Storm Debby.

Because of the threat of severe weather, particularly in CF’s coastal counties of Citrus and Levy, the college will close all sites, including the Ocala Campus, Wilton Simpson Citrus Campus, Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus, Hampton Center, Appleton Museum and Vintage Farm, as well as online classes. Scheduled activities also have been cancelled.

The college plans to reopen Tuesday morning for classes and all business operations, weather permitting. Please continue to monitor the CF website (www.CF.edu), traditional media and social media for additional updates.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to prepare now for this storm.

Aug. 4, 9:30 a.m. Update:

The College of Central Florida is continuing to monitor Tropical Storm Debby. Parts of Marion, Citrus and Levy counties could see high levels of rain, heavy winds and flooding Sunday evening into Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

The College of Central Florida administration continues to review storm information. The team will meet again by 3 p.m., at which time an update will be posted regarding operations.

All CF campuses and locations, including the Ocala Campus, Citrus Campus, Levy Campus, Hampton Center, Appleton Museum and Vintage Farm, remain open at this time.

Please continue to monitor the CF website (www.CF.edu), traditional media and social media for additional updates.

CF Ira Holmes International Film Series Returns in September

The Ira Holmes International Film Series at the College of Central Florida returns in September with a full season of 12 films from across the globe – plus special events including a preseason anime cosplay event, a family-friendly Sunday matinee, a live filmmaker Q&A and two unique collaborations with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra. The season kickoff’s evening screening of “The Seventh Seal” will be a memorial event to honor the series founder and beloved professor Ira Holmes, who passed away June 9 at age 90.

“Before his passing, Ira requested this film as a message of hope for us all,” said series director and CF professor Wendy Adams. “We’ll start by sharing our favorite memories of Ira before watching this classic film that ushered in a new era of art-house cinema in the U.S. around the time Ira became enamored with the medium as a young man.”

“The Seventh Seal,” a 1957 Swedish historical fantasy film, tells the tale of an exhausted medieval knight who encounters Death on a desolate beach and challenges him to a fateful game of chess. Directed by Ingmar Bergman, the exploration of life, death and faith was one of the benchmark foreign imports that launched America’s art-house heyday of the 1950s. Screenings will be held at 2 p.m. at the Appleton Museum of Art and 7 p.m. at the CF Ocala Campus, Building 8, Room 110, 3001 S.W. College Road.

Series Schedule:

Sept. 20 – “Belle” anime preseason event at 8 p.m. at the Marion Theatre – cosplay welcome!

Oct. 8 – “The Seventh Seal” – evening screening includes memorial reception honoring Ira Holmes

Oct. 22 – “Psycho” – evening screening starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Marion Theatre includes film talk by Ocala Symphony Orchestra Music Director Matthew Wardell

Nov. 12 – “Long Flat Balls”

Nov. 26 – “Close to Vermeer” – evening screening includes film talk with Arts in Health Ocala Metro Executive Director Patricia Tomlinson

Jan. 19 – “The Red Balloon” and “A Cat in Paris” family-friendly matinee double feature at 1 p.m. at the Marion Theatre

Feb. 11 – “Hit the Road”

Feb. 25 – “Some Kind of Heaven”

March 11 – “My Donkey, My Lover & I”

March 25 – “Following the Ninth ” – 7 p.m. evening screening at the Marion Theatre includes film series member exclusive meet and greet with director Kerry Candaele at 6 p.m., facilitated by Ocala Symphony Orchestra Music Director Matt Wardell

March 26 – “A League of Their Own” – 2 p.m. screening at CF follows 12:30 p.m. film talk with Kerry Candaele, whose 1987 documentary preceded the 1992 feature film

All films will be shown Tuesdays at 2 p.m. at the Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, and at 7 p.m. at the College of Central Florida, 3001 S.W. College Road, Building 8, Room 110, unless otherwise noted. Films at the Ocala Campus are free and open to the public. Films at the Appleton are free to all museum and film series members; nonmembers pay museum admission. Films may contain mature content.

For more details, visit CF.edu/FilmSeries.

CF Webber Gallery presents second biennial printmaking exhibit

The College of Central Florida Webber Gallery will present “The 2024 Extreme Pressure Biennial of American Prints,” a celebration of contemporary printmaking, Aug. 5-Sept. 12. The competitive exhibition will include a variety of works by printmakers from across the United States.

Artworks will be judged by Texas-based artist Katherine Brimberry, an intaglio master printer who is known for her “painterly” etchings. Brimberry’s work is included in the collections of the Library of Congress, 3M permanent collection, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Galveston Arts Center, Amarillo Museum of Art and Texas Tech University Library. She co-founded Flatbed Press to be a publishing press for fine art prints and open studio for artist-printmakers, and is now the sole owner, serving as director and lead collaborating master printer.

Five cash prizes, totaling a minimum of $2,000, will be awarded at the opening reception on Thursday, Aug. 22, from 5-7 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

The Webber Gallery is open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is free. For more information about the exhibition, visit CF.edu/Webber or call 352-854-2322, ext. 1664.

CF awarded $643,598 grant for Aquatic Workforce Project

The College of Central Florida has been awarded a $643,598 grant from the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education (NSF-ATE) program to establish The Central Florida Aquatic Workforce and Research Project. This three-year initiative will prepare associate-level graduates for technical occupations in agricultural, ecological and environmental engineering and water conservation.

The project will involve 150 associate-level students and 100 high school juniors and seniors, offering hands-on learning through fieldwork, internships and research activities. Key objectives include:

  • Developing an interdisciplinary course to enhance technical skills in data analysis, geospatial technology, and water quality assessment.
  • Providing industry-aligned research and fieldwork experiences.
  • Expanding recruitment pathways through targeted outreach and dual enrollment programs for high school students, especially those from rural and underrepresented minority communities.

This initiative will equip students with practical skills for technician-level jobs, addressing Florida’s workforce needs in aquatic and environmental fields. By partnering with local high schools, CF will engage students in hands-on learning about aquatics careers through course-based field experiences, internships and research activities.

“Through this grant, we can provide our students with the hands-on experience and technical skills necessary to succeed in the aquatics workforce,” said John Ash, CF Dean of Business, Technology and Agricultural Sciences. “We are excited about the opportunities this project will create for our students and the positive impact it will have on our community.”

For more information about CF’s Business and Technology programs, visit CF.edu/BusTech.

The National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program has been funding innovation at two-year colleges for over 20 years. With a focus on the education of technicians for the high-technology fields that drive our nation’s economy, and strong partnerships between academic institutions and industry, ATE promotes improvement in the education of science and engineering technicians at the undergraduate and secondary school levels.

To learn more about the National Science Foundation, visit NSF.gov.

CF students win third place in national robotics competition

A College of Central Florida robotics team was awarded a bronze medal at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, held June 24-28 in Atlanta.

CF Engineering Technology students Cameron Muncy and Shane Reedy, under the guidance of award-winning associate professor Sam Ajlani, built, designed and constructed a robot for the SkillsUSA Urban Search and Rescue competition. During the event, they directed their robot to travel through a course designed to look like multifamily housing, searching for and removing simulated explosive devices.

“We are really excited to have represented our school on a national level and to have brought something back,” said Muncy, who expects to graduate in December and said he has “always been interested in cars and machines.” The CF team was the only Florida team to place in the Urban Search and Rescue category.

The SkillsUSA Championship is the premier showcase of America’s most highly skilled career and technical education students and is one of the largest hands-on workforce development events in the world. Held in conjunction with SkillsUSA’s National Leadership & Skills Conference each June, this awe-inspiring event features more than 6,000 state champions from across the United States competing head-to-head in 115 skilled and leadership competitions. CF students Justin Bowen and Daniel Francois represented the college in this year’s drone event.

“The College of Central Florida’s Engineering Technology program is focused on preparing students for a variety of high-paying, high-tech careers, including robotics,” said Dr. Jennifer Fryns, vice president of Workforce Development and Innovation. “We are so proud of the CF students who took the opportunity to apply practical engineering principles to real-world applications at the SkillsUSA competition.”