The College of Central Florida Dassance Fine Arts Center auditorium is being transformed into a fantastical wizarding world for the four performances of “Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic,” presented live on stage by CF Theatre Oct. 24-27. Performances times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24-26, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala.

Told from the point of view of members of the lesser-known Puffs house, who congregate in their kitchen-adjacent basement common room, the fast-paced farce evokes familiar stories of a society of sorcery in which young people – dressed in robes and hats – attend a school of witchcraft, battle dark forces, encounter enchanted creatures, and find plenty of mayhem and mischief. The production includes nearly 30 CF student performers, with four CF staff members cast as wizard-school faculty and several other CF students taking on roles with set construction, costumes and technical crew.

“This production is pure magic,” said Nonalee Davis, CF assistant professor of theatre and the play’s director. “If you are familiar with the wizarding world, you will laugh from the opening line through the entire show, catching all the inside jokes. If it’s your first foray into the magical universe, you will still find it hilarious. Matt Cox’s script is phenomenal.”

CF Theatre Manager Mario Cieri designed and built an elaborate set featuring well-known elements of the castle in which the school of magic is housed, with its myriad staircases and hidden doors and a potions lab where bizarre brews boil and bubble. Preshow music will include original compositions by Erica Morales, a CF student.

“We are growing our performing arts program to offer opportunities to a larger number of students, and increasing the theatre department’s collaborations with other college departments,” Davis said. “We want to give our students a priceless educational opportunity while offering the community an enjoyable experience.”

Theatergoers are encouraged to wear their house colors, wizarding robes or hats, and bring magic wands.  Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for non-CF students and can be purchased at cf.universitytickets.com or by calling 352-873-5810. Tickets are free for CF students, faculty and staff with valid I.D.

For more information about CF Visual and Performing Arts events, visit CF.edu/theatre.

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.

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.

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.

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.