The College of Central Florida’s Wilton Simpson Citrus Campus Associate Degree Nursing program has been recognized as the 2024 Best RN Program in Florida by RegisteredNursing.org. The nursing advocacy organization evaluated nearly 150 RN programs and ranked the top 20 based on the percentage of graduates who pass the national licensure exam. This is the second year in a row that CF’s Associate Degree Nursing program has topped the list.

The two-year program prepares students to become registered nurses, providing direct care to patients in hospitals, nursing homes and community-based agencies. The Citrus program is part of the collegewide nursing program.

“Nursing remains a critical and fast-growing field in Florida,” said Dr. Stephanie Cortes, dean of health sciences at CF. “With our commitment to affordable, high-quality education, we are empowering our students to thrive in a career that offers countless opportunities. Our expanded program initiatives are directly addressing the urgent need for skilled registered nurses across our regional health care systems.”

This ranking places CF at the top of a list of 20 colleges and universities including other state colleges as well as University of Florida and Florida State University. According to RegisteredNursing.org, programs were assessed on several factors which represent how well a program supports students toward licensure and beyond.

For more information about CF Nursing, visit www.CF.edu/Nursing. For more information on the 2024 Best Nursing Schools in Florida, visit registerednursing.org/state/florida/#show.

 

The College of Central Florida Webber Gallery presents an upcoming exhibition, “Grafted Roots: Artists Flourishing in the Sunshine State,” showcasing a vibrant collection of artworks that highlight the talent and diverse styles of artists from Ocala and beyond. The exhibition will be open to the public May 20 through July 18.

Curated by David Campo, a scholar and member of the Ocala Cultural Arts, “Grafted Roots” brings together artists who, like grafted plants, have been transplanted from various locations, enhancing the local cultural landscape with their stories of resilience and perseverance. Campo, who holds a Master of Arts in Art History from the University of Georgia and a Master of Arts in Museum Studies from the University of Florida, aims to foster connections and growth within the artistic community through this exhibition.

“As a guest curator, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to feature my dear friends and talented artists, across Ocala and Gainesville, in my show,” said Campo. “To have the chance to showcase the breadth of Florida artists by sharing diverse stories though varied media is hopefully just the beginning of this budding relationship.”

The exhibition features a broad array of artworks, presented in multiple styles and media, reflecting the wide range and exceptional abilities of the artists. Many of these artists are well known locally and consider Ocala their home.

An opening reception will be held Friday, May 31, 6-8:30 p.m., featuring live music and light refreshments. Admission to the exhibition and the opening reception is free.

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.

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, presents “Every Fiber of My Being,” featuring abstract fiber art by Charlita Rae Whitehead. The exhibition will be on view in the second-floor Preview Gallery from April 13 to Sept. 8.

The history of making rugs goes back thousands of years and has been an important part of many cultures and traditions around the globe. Through the artist’s lens, the lineage of rug making is both celebrated and reinterpreted, honoring the resilience and ingenuity of generations past.

Whitehead, a self-taught artist, has been working in the tufting medium since 2022. Tufting is an electric version of punch needle embroidery, which uses a long, hollow needle with a beveled point to push yarn through material to form a continuous loop stitch. In addition to tufting, the artist uses a variety of tools and materials to create her dreamy yet expressive tapestries, incorporating traditional punch needle methods, different types of yarn and varying pile heights to create topographical hills and valleys.

In “Every Fiber of My Being,” Whitehead portrays each piece as “a milestone along the path of discovery,” inviting viewers to engage with an age-old art form through innovative techniques and concepts. Delve into the captivating realm of bold color combinations, expressive curves, distinctive shapes and enchanting textures, where the opportunity to become immersed awaits. Every fiber embodies the artist’s evolving experience and every thread tells a story.

 

About the Artist:

Charlita Rae Whitehead is a self-taught abstract fiber artist based in Ocala, Florida. Being born in Japan and growing up in multiple national and international communities profoundly shaped Whitehead’s world view and aesthetic, igniting her passion for culture, community, inclusivity and liberation. She earned degrees in Health Information Management and Health Services Administration from the College of Central Florida and the University of Central Florida. Whitehead has exhibited at Shapot Art Gallery, Brick City Center for the Arts and the College of Central Florida Webber Gallery.

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.

The College of Central Florida Foundation will host a free estate planning seminar Thursday, April 18, 10-11:30 a.m. in the Webber Center at the CF Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road.

Attorney Samantha Shealy Rauba with the McGraw, Rauba & Mutarelli firm will discuss trusts and trust funding and cover strategies to assist attendees with understanding and implementing philanthropic plans.

Advanced registration is required by emailing Traci Mason at the CF Foundation at masont@cf.edu. To learn more about the CF Foundation, visit CF.edu/Foundation.

The College of Central Florida Ira Holmes International Film Series will complete its season Tuesday, April 9, with the award-winning film “Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom.”

Directed by Pawo Choyning Dorji, this 2019 film from Bhutan, South Asia, outlines the endearing story of a young disillusioned schoolteacher who is transferred to the most remote school in the world, cut off from modern life deep in the Himalayan glaciers. In a classroom with no electricity or even a blackboard, he finds himself with only a yak and a song that echoes through the mountains.

A screening will begin at 2 p.m. at the Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., and is free to all museum and film series members; nonmembers pay museum admission. A second screening will begin at 7 p.m. at the CF Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road, Building 8, Room 110. The screening at the CF Ocala Campus is free and open to the public.

For more information about the Ira Holmes International Film Series, contact Wendy Adams at 352-873-5800, ext. 1546, or visit CF.edu/filmseries.

The College of Central Florida will host a Dental Open House Wednesday, April 10, 1-4 p.m., at the Hampton Center, 1501 W. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. This event celebrates the launch of the Associate in Science degree in Dental Hygiene, as well as the opening of a new community dental clinic. Prospective students, dental professionals and community members will have an opportunity to explore CF’s dental programs and learn about affordable dental services.

Opening remarks will be provided by CF President Dr. James Henningsen. The event will feature admissions guidance for those interested in pursuing a career in dental health, information on scheduling low-cost dental cleanings and oral health examinations at the clinic, a meet-and-greet with CF program managers and guided tours of the dental facilities at the Hampton Center.

For more information about the Dental Open House and CF’s dental programs, please visit CF.edu/DentalOpenHouse.

About the Hampton Center:

The Hampton Center serves as CF’s location for its dental programs and is a key location in Ocala for education and community outreach. It is also the home of the Marion County Dental Clinic, which provides diagnostic, restorative, preventive and educational services charged on a sliding scale based on income. The college began a $1.6 million renovation in 2022 and students began scheduling patients in January 2024.

The College of Central Florida’s Musical Theatre Department announces its upcoming production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” a new musical inspired by Victor Hugo’s novel with songs from the Disney film. This captivating performance, featuring music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and based on the book by Peter Parnell, promises to bring a spectacular blend of storytelling and melody to the CF Theatre stage.

“This dark tale follows Quasimodo’s struggle and punishment on a journey to discover the true monster of Notre Dame,” said Nonalee Davis, CF assistant professor of theatre and the play’s director. “The college is proud to have several departments represented onstage, from a full choir and orchestration to large dance numbers and detailed set design.”

Performances are scheduled from Thursday, April 4, through Saturday, April 6, at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee show Sunday, April 7, at 3 p.m. The shows will take place at the Dassance Fine Arts Center, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala.

Tickets are priced at $12 for adults and $6 for non-CF students. CF students, faculty and staff are invited to attend free of charge with a valid I.D.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 352-873-5810. For additional information about the production and other upcoming Visual and Performing Arts events, please visit CF.edu/VPAEvents.