‘Godzilla’ double feature and more for CF Appleton Museum of Art’s May 3 Free First Saturday

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, presents a fun day of activities on the upcoming May 3 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.

In celebration of the special exhibition, “Framing Tokyo: Joel Bustamante’s Architectural Photography,” join us for a double-feature film screening beginning at 11 a.m. in the auditorium. Following a brief introduction by Appleton staff, the screening will begin with the original Japanese “Godzilla” (1954), followed by “The Return of Godzilla” (1984), that restarts the storyline and picks up after the original film. The “Framing Tokyo” exhibition spotlights Tokyo’s striking skyline, and viewers might recognize several featured skyscrapers in the 1984. Like photographer Joel Bustamante, director Koji Hashimoto was drawn to the dynamic architecture of Shinjuku, a special ward of Tokyo, using special effects to depict Godzilla (or Gojira) wreaking havoc on these iconic buildings. Admission to the films is free as part of Free First Saturday; no reservations needed to attend.

Other special exhibitions on view include: “To the MAX: Magnolia Art Xchange’s 10-Year Anniversary,” “What If Eye: Fifty Years of Exploration with Ummarid ‘Tony’ Eitharong,” both sponsored by Fine Arts for Ocala (FAFO), as well as “Strength and Resilience: Works by Carmen Rojas Ginés and Naomi Shanti.”

Support Ocala’s local small businesses and stop by Michelle’s NY Style Hot Dogs and The Donut Express food trucks, serving delicious treats. While you’re there, make a difference and donate blood with LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, also onsite throughout the event.

This Free First Saturday is supported in part by CAMPUS USA Credit Union, Marion Cultural Alliance and National Endowment for the Arts.

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.