Visual art featuring words will take the spotlight in the College of Central Florida Webber Gallery’s “Next Text” exhibition on view Oct. 3-27. The collection of work by multicultural artists from across the country will showcase an intriguing display of storytelling through the use of text in the visual arts. The exhibition was curated by CF Professor of Art Tyrus Clutter and Sheila Goloborotko, an associate professor of printmaking at University of North Florida, whose artwork has been featured in past exhibitions at the Webber Gallery.

“We are excited to bring artwork from nationally known artists to our campus and our community,” said Amanda Lyon, Webber Gallery coordinator. “Many of the artists included in this exhibition have worked as visual arts professors and faculty at universities in Florida and throughout the United States.”

The community is invited to an opening reception on Thursday, Oct. 6, from 4:30-6:30 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, call 352-854-2322, ext. 1664.

The College of Central Florida Entrepreneurship Academy, an innovative program developed in partnership with Chick-fil-A of Ocala, will give students a new option for training to become business community leaders. CF students selected for the academy will receive two semesters of instruction in entrepreneurship-focused courses which lead to a Business Entrepreneurship College Credit Certificate. Each course will be complemented with hands-on experiential activities organized by Chick-fil-A of Ocala leadership.

“The CF Entrepreneurship Academy allows students to gain insight, experience and skills that are foundational to becoming entrepreneurs,” said Dr. Rob Wolf, dean of Business, Technology, and Career and Technical Education. “The program is a unique experience for students to receive a behind-the-scenes knowledge of one of the most successful franchise business models in the restaurant industry.”

Jeromy Williams, owner/operator of Chick-fil-A Ocala, and his wife, Amanda Williams, are both former educators and remain committed to providing opportunities for local students.

“This partnership and idea has been years in the making,” Jeromy Williams said. “We are thrilled to partner with CF on such a unique program that will certainly bring the classroom concepts to life.”

The CF Entrepreneurship Academy courses include Principles of Management, Introduction to Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Opportunities, and Small Business Management. The first cohort of students will begin classes in spring 2023. Interested students should visit www.CF.edu/entrepreneurshipacademy for more information.

“We welcome our new board members and appreciate the service of our returning board member – all who have demonstrated commitment to our community,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president. “They have broad experience in workforce, health care, finance and more, and we look forward to their leadership in impacting our college, students and community.”

Russell Branson, from Ocala, is the president of SouthState Bank and has served as a member of the CF District Board of Trustees since 2015. He is a board member for AdventHealth Ocala Hospital, Marion County Hospital District, and Marion County Public Policy Institute and the treasurer of the United Way Marion County. Branson earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Florida State University and his master’s degree in banking from Louisiana State University. He previously served as a member of the CF Foundation Board of Directors.

Fredrick Roberts Jr., from Ocala, is a partner and attorney for Klein & Klein LLC. He is a board member for Oak Hammock at the University of Florida and a member of the Marion County Bar Association. Roberts earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from UF and his juris doctor from Stetson University. He also has served as a member of the CF Foundation Board of Directors.

Charlie Stone, from Ocala, is the president and owner of Stone Petroleum Products Inc. He was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2012-2020 and a Marion County Commissioner from 2004-2012. Stone is a member of the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership and the Marion County Roadbuilders Association and is past president of Silver Springs Rotary Club. He also has served as a member of the CF Foundation Board of Directors.

Dr. Michael Torres, from Ocala, is the vice president and Chief Medical Officer of AdventHealth. He is a Veteran of the United States Air Force. Dr. Torres earned a certificate in military leadership from Air War College, his master’s degree in business administration from Touro University International, and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Spartan Health Sciences University.

There are seven seats on the CF District Board of Trustees. Additional board members include Joyce Brancato, Bobby Durrance and Bill Edgar.

To learn more about CF, visit CF.edu.

The Friday Talks Business Advancement Series, a program of the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership and the College of Central Florida, will feature Bonnie Hays on Aug. 26, presenting “Career Services and College Connections: New Opportunities.”

Hays, CF’s manager of work readiness, will highlight ways employers can connect with students at CF, including GradCast and Handshake, two new web-based platforms that provide a direct connection between businesses, students and alumni. She will also share information about internships, career fairs and classroom presentations.

Attend in person at the CF Hampton Center, 1501 W. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, or virtually at Facebook.com/OcalaCEP. The in-person event will begin with a continental breakfast at 8:15 a.m. and the presentation will begin at 8:30 a.m. RSVP to andrea@ocalacep.com.

For more information about CF, visit CF.edu. For more information about the Ocala CEP, visit ocalacep.com.

The College of Central Florida and Marion County Public Schools will host the 2022 Careers and Colleges Expo on Wednesday, Aug. 24, from 5-7 p.m. at the Ewers Century Center, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala.

This free event offers high school seniors, transfer students, current college students and their families the opportunity to explore career paths and talk with dozens of vendors representing colleges and universities, trade schools, military service branches and local career opportunities. The expo is part of the Florida School and College Relations Tour.

For more information, visit www.CF.edu.

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, is pleased to announce a performance by the award-winning Maharajah Flamenco Trio on Sept. 15, 6-8 p.m. Tickets are $30; cash bar available. Tickets can be purchased at AppletonMuseum.org or in person at the museum’s Visitor Services desk.

The Sept. 15 performance will include the world premiere of their newest song, “Escucha el Mar (Listen to the Sea),” an original composition by the trio’s classical and flamenco guitarist Silviu Ciulei. After their well-attended performance at the Appleton Museum of Art earlier this year, Appleton director Jason Steuber invited Ciulei to become the inaugural composer-in-residence for the museum. In spring 2022, the musician spent time in the museum visiting the artworks and found inspiration in a bronze sculpture called “Neapolitan Fisherboy,” c. 1860, by Jean Baptiste Carpeaux (French, 1827-1875).

The sculpture, on view in the museum’s second-floor European galleries, depicts an adolescent boy holding up a conch shell to his ear. On his object of inspiration, Ciulei says, “After the last couple of years we have had, I wanted to choose something positive. When looking at the artwork and thinking about the text for the vocals, I knew I could do so much more just by involving this teenage boy listening to the sea. Maybe he is remembering a person he loves, or his love at home, or the love of his parents. The inspirational options are so many that it allows me to play with words and ideas when figuring out the lyrics.”

Adding a composer-in-residence is another way the museum is carrying out Arthur Appleton’s vision, Steuber explained.

“Silviu was the ideal fit for the composer in residence program’s inaugural artist as he and the Maharajah Flamenco Trio are global citizen musicians and educators with ties to Florida and the Appleton,” Steuber said. “Mr. Appleton’s vision for the museum to be a place for art for all aligns with this multidisciplinary program.”

The September concert will be the first opportunity for museum visitors to experience new music inspired by art.

“We couldn’t think of a better way to kick off of our Composer-in-Residence program than by working with our friends Maharajah Flamenco Trio,” said Assistant Director Victoria Billig. “We hope you’ll join us on Sept. 15 for what will absolutely be an inspirational and heartfelt performance by these Global Music Award winners.”

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.

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the College of Central Florida will host a Hispanic Heritage Festival on Saturday, Oct. 1, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala.

Visitors can enjoy free kid-friendly art activities, music and giveaways, community resources and vendors. Food trucks will have meals and snacks available for purchase. Museum admission will be free for all visitors in connection with the Appleton Museum’s Free First Saturday, and the Appleton Museum will offer discounted memberships to festival attendees.

“We are hosting this festival not only to celebrate but to share the Hispanic culture as well as offer resources to our community in a festive and welcoming environment,” said Alondra Gonzalez-Torres, CF admissions recruiter.

CF and the Appleton Museum of Art are hosting the festival in partnership with the Hispanic Business Council with the support of the following vendors: CAMPUS USA, Express Employment Professionals, Marion County Public Schools, The Rock and Take Stock in Children.

To learn more about the Appleton Museum of Art, call 352-291-4455 or visit AppletonMuseum.org.

The College of Central Florida will host the 2022 Careers and Colleges Expo on Wednesday, Aug. 25, from 5-7 p.m. at the Wilton Simpson Citrus Campus, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto.

This free event offers high school seniors, transfer students, current college students and their families the opportunity to explore career paths and talk with dozens of vendors representing colleges and universities, trade schools, military service branches and local career opportunities. The expo is part of the Florida School and College Relations Tour.

For more information about the event, click here or contact Becca York-Alcorn at 352-746-6721, ext. 6181.