CF Celebrates Nursing Bachelor’s Degree with Anniversary Event

The College of Central Florida will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program with a special event on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

Award-winning photographer and filmmaker Carolyn Jones, who created the book and documentary film “The American Nurse,” will present “The American Nurse: Moving the Needle on the Most Important Issues of Our Time” at 6 p.m. at the Dassance Fine Arts Center, 3001 S.W. College Road.

“CF’s RN to BSN program provides a valuable education for registered nurses who are ready to take their career to the next level,” said Dr. Stephanie Cortes, vice president of health sciences. “We are celebrating 10 years of supporting nurses who choose to pursue advanced clinical positions and nursing faculty positions as well as meet the need for more primary care nurses in our community.”

The public is invited to learn more about the role of nurses in the U.S. health care system as Jones shares inspiring stories of nurses from across the country who are helping to find nurse-led solutions to the nation’s maternal mortality crisis.

RSVP requested at CF.edu/nurse.

Topics and concepts presented at this event are for discussion purposes only and are not intended to espouse, promote, advance, inculcate, or compel individuals to believe the topics or concepts presented therein. Nor do they constitute endorsement of such topics or concepts by the College of Central Florida, its Board of Trustees, or any of their officers, employees, or agents.

CF Appleton Museum of Art to Host “Art in Spain” Talk and Dance Performances on Free First Saturday, Oct. 5

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, has a full schedule of activities on the upcoming October 5 Free First Saturday.

Admission to the museum is free from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Guests are invited to explore the permanent collection and special exhibitions, and enjoy family-friendly artmaking activities in the Artspace. Several new exhibitions are on view, including “Striking Poses: Portrait Photography from the Permanent Collection” and “Common Thread: Photographs by Theresa Segal.” It also is the last weekend to see the special exhibition, “En Pointe: Expressions of Dance in Art,” featuring more than 60 works from the permanent collection that tell the story of dance as a powerful and multifaceted form of expression.

At 11 a.m., the Appleton welcomes back Dr. Jose Gaudier, who will give a free talk in the auditorium. The Ocala neurologist and art enthusiast will present on the evolution of art in Spain, beginning with the Prehistoric Period. This talk is free and no reservation is needed to attend.

From 1-3 p.m., local talent from Devotions Dance Company will give short performances in the auditorium. Performances are free and no reservations are needed to attend.

Support Ocala’s local small businesses and stop by the Donut Express and Poppy’s Dogs food trucks, on-site throughout the day.

Free First Saturdays are sponsored in part by Marion Cultural Alliance, National Endowment for the Arts 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. For more information, call 352-291-4455 or visit AppletonMuseum.org.

Topics and concepts presented at this event are for discussion purposes only and are not intended to espouse, promote, advance, inculcate, or compel individuals to believe the topics or concepts presented therein. Nor do they constitute endorsement of such topics or concepts by the College of Central Florida, its Board of Trustees, or any of their officers, employees, or agents.

CF Ira Holmes International Film Series Features “Psycho” Event

The Ira Holmes International Film Series at the College of Central Florida will host its first special Film Series at the Marion event for the 2024-2025 season on Tuesday, Oct. 22. The 7:30 p.m. screening of the classic Alfred Hitchcock thriller at Ocala’s historic Marion Theatre will include a film talk by Ocala Symphony Orchestra Music Director Matthew Wardell, who will reveal insights into film composer Bernard Herrmann’s film score and unique working relationship with Hitchcock.

“There have been few film director and composer relationships as long lasting and vivid as was the one between Alfred Hitchcock and Bernard Herrmann,” Wardell said. “Their work together paved the way for great teams like Spielberg/Williams and Burton/Elfman. The ‘Psycho’ score is unique and incredibly memorable, crafted by Hitchcock and Herrmann’s special relationship.”

The film will be shown at 2 p.m. at the Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., and at 7:30 p.m. at the Marion Theatre, 50 S. Magnolia Ave. Films at the Appleton are free to all museum and film series members; nonmembers pay museum admission. Only the 7:30 p.m. screening will include the film talk, and admission is free. Films may contain mature content.

For more details, visit CF.edu/FilmSeries.

CF to Host Naming Ceremony in Memory of Ira Holmes

The College of Central Florida, in partnership with the City of Ocala, will host a special naming ceremony dedicating a Humanities and Social Sciences classroom in memory of Ira Holmes. The event will take place Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. at the Ocala Campus, Building 8, 3001 S.W. College Road.

The beloved professor, who passed away on June 9 at age 90, joined the CF faculty in 1962. He started the Ira Holmes International Film Series more than 60 years ago to share his lifelong passion with the community. The newly named Ira Holmes Classroom is the location for series film screenings open to CF students and the community.

Holmes, known for his love of art, travel, lifelong learning and cultural studies, led more than two dozen study tours to Europe. He was one of the first members of the Ocala Historic Preservation Advisory Board, serving more than 40 years and assisting with numerous landmark projects including the Reilly Arts Center and Marion Theatre renovations. Just a few days before his passing, the City of Ocala was preparing a proclamation recognizing Holmes’ years of service.

At the 6 p.m. event, CF President Dr. Jim Henningsen will deliver dedication remarks, and Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano and Ocala City Manager Pete Lee will present the City of Ocala proclamation. At 6:30 p.m., Ira Holmes International Film Series director Wendy Adams will lead the sharing of memories, and at 7 p.m., the 2024-2025 series will kick off with a screening of “The Seventh Seal.” The 1957 Swedish historical fantasy film was selected by Holmes as “a message of hope for us all.”

RSVP requested at CF.edu/Ira.

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.