The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, will present the exhibition “Across the Atlantic: American Impressionism Through the French Lens,” Nov. 2, 2019-Jan. 5, 2020.

This extraordinary exhibition, drawn mostly from the collection of the Reading Public Museum in Reading, Pennsylvania, explores the path to Impressionism through the 19th century in France. The show examines the sometimes complex relationship between French Impressionism of the 1870s and 1880s and the American interpretation of the style in the decades that followed.

More than 65 paintings and works on paper help tell the story of the “new style” of painting that developed at the end of the 19th century — one that emphasized light and atmospheric conditions, rapid or loose brushstrokes, and a focus on brightly colored scenes from everyday life, including both urban and rural settings when artists preferred to paint outdoors and capture the changing effects of light during different times of day and seasons of the year.

“Across the Atlantic” will also feature works by artists whose paintings helped pave the pathway to Impressionism such as members of the Barbizon School including Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot and Narcisse Diaz de la Peña. Other French painters whose techniques and subjects paralleled those of the Impressionists like Charles-François Daubigny, Leon-Augustin Lhermitte, and Jean-Charles Cazin will also be examined. Many of these artists practiced painting outdoors, en plein air, a new freedom that the commercial availability of tubed paint and portable easels afforded them.

Some of the key artists featured in the exhibition include Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, Victor Vignon, Albert Lebourg, among others, who exhibited in the official Impressionist exhibitions in Paris in the 1870s and 1880s. Although familiar and beloved by modern audiences in their own time, the Impressionists were thought of as a rather radical alternative to the traditions of academic painting. The progressive group of artists avoided the official, state-funded Salon in Paris and instead decided to exhibit their works in unconventional displays.

Among the earliest American artists to embrace the style were John Singer Sargent, William Merritt Chase, John Henry Twachtman, Willard Metcalf, Childe Hassam and Frank W. Benson, among others, whose works are included in the exhibition. American collectors and taste-makers were among the first to begin collecting Impressionist paintings.

A host of American artists, many of whom traveled to France around the turn of the century to continue their studies in fine art, embraced the style. Daniel Garber, Edward Redfield, Robert Spencer, Arthur Watson Sparks, Robert Lewis Reid, William Paxton, Chauncey Ryder, Frederick John Mulhaupt and Guy Wiggins, are highlighted.

The exhibition is sponsored in part by Marion Cultural Alliance, Fine Arts for Ocala, Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, Art Bridges and CAMPUS USA Credit Union.

Opening and Special Events

VIP Opening Reception and Talk
Friday, Nov. 1, 6-8 p.m.

Appleton Director’s Circle members are invited to a VIP reception, followed by a talk at 7 p.m. with exhibition curator Scott Schweigert, Reading Public Museum. RSVP is required. To RSVP or join the museum at the Director’s Circle level, contact Colleen Harper, harperc@cf.edu, or 352-291-4455, ext. 1831.

Exhibition Talk
Saturday, Nov. 2, 11 a.m.

Exhibition curator Scott Schweigert, Reading Public Museum, will give a free talk about the exhibition. This event is open to the public but does not include entry to the museum.

A Feast Under the Stars, Fundraiser Dinner
Saturday, Nov. 16, 6-9 p.m.

Travel back in time to the world of the Impressionists at this one-of-a-kind fine dining experience under a starry sky at the Appleton. Indulge your senses in the elegance of the scents, flavors and music of the 1890s in this authentically crafted multi-course formal dinner, complete with wine pairings and décor of the era. Black tie or era-inspired dress is encouraged. Tickets are $150 (individual) and $2,500 (table of eight). Tickets available at AppletonMuseum.org.

After Hours Concert Series: Marina Tucker, Imperial String Quartet
Thursday, Dec. 12, 5-8 p.m.

Enjoy a virtuoso string quartet made up of members of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra playing era-appropriate waltzes and other selections from the 1800s. $5 for Appleton members; $15 for nonmembers. Tickets available at: AppletonMuseum.org.

For additional exhibition-related programming and events, visit AppletonMuseum.org.

Owned and operated by 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 Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, will host “Feast Under the Stars,” on Nov. 16, 6-9 p.m.

In combination with the special exhibition “Across the Atlantic: American Impressionism Through the French Lens,” guests are invited to travel back in time to the world of the Impressionists at this one-of-a-kind fine dining experience at the Appleton. They may indulge their senses in the elegance of the scents, flavors and music of the 1890s in this authentically crafted multi-course formal fundraiser dinner, complete with wine pairings and décor of the era. Black tie or era-inspired dress is encouraged.

Funds from ticket sales and those collected during the event will support the museum’s exhibitions and programs.

Tickets are $150 for individual or $2,500 for a table of eight. A full table includes eight tickets to visit the exhibition and a bottle of wine hand-selected by Dave Lewis, Republic National Distributing Company. Tickets must be purchased in advance, and are available at: AppletonMuseum.org.

About the Exhibition

“Across the Atlantic: American Impressionism Through the French Lens” will be on view at the Appleton Museum of Art Nov. 2, 2019-Jan. 5, 2020. This extraordinary exhibition, drawn mostly from the collection of the Reading Public Museum in Reading, Pennsylvania, explores the path to Impressionism through the 19th century in France. More than 65 paintings and works on paper help tell the story of the “new style” of painting that developed at the end of the 19th century — one that emphasized light and atmospheric conditions, rapid or loose brushstrokes, and a focus on brightly colored scenes from everyday life, including both urban and rural settings when artists preferred to paint outdoors and capture changing effects of light during different times of day and seasons of the year.

The exhibition, events and programming are sponsored in part by Marion Cultural Alliance, Fine Arts for Ocala, Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, Art Bridges and CAMPUS USA Credit Union. For additional exhibition-related programming and events, visit AppletonMuseum.org.

Owned and operated by 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’s International Film Series continues with “Ali and Nino” on Tuesday, Oct. 8, “Lives Well Lived” on Tuesday, Oct. 22, and “Loving Vincent” on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Shows start at 2 p.m. at the Appleton Museum of Art and at 7 p.m. at the Ocala Campus in the Humanities and Social Sciences Building 8, Room 110.

“Ali and Nino” is a story of romance that crosses political, geographic and religious divides when a Muslim man marries a Christian woman. This film is in Azerbaijani and Russian with English subtitles. It is not rated and has a total run time of 101 minutes.

“Lives Well Lived” is a documentary by Sky Bergman that celebrates the incredible wit and wisdom of adults 75 to 100 years old who are living their lives to the fullest. This film is in English, and will include guest host from On Top of the World, Wellness Director Cammy Dennis. The film is not rated and has a total run time of 90 minutes.

“Loving Vincent” brings the paintings of Vincent van Gogh to life to tell his story. Ira Holmes, Humanities professor and CF International Film Series founder, will guest host the evening screening at the college. This film is rated PG-13 and has a total run time of 95 minutes.

Viewings are free at CF and for Appleton and film series members.  Nonmembers pay the museum admission price. To become a film series member, pay $15 for individuals, $25 for dual membership at www.CF.edu/MakeaGift. For information about membership, call 352-873-5808.

For a full series list and more information on the International Film Series, contact Joe Zimmerman at 352-873-5800, ext. 1233, or visit www.CF.edu/filmseries.

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, is offering free admission on Sunday, Oct. 13, noon-5 p.m. to honor the birth date of Arthur I. Appleton.

Visit the permanent collection and special exhibitions “Urban Chatter: Sharon Kerry-Harlan,” “Do Not Bleach: Stephanie Brown,” and “Florida Impressions: Relief Prints by Leslie Peebles.” Visit the new permanent exhibition in the auditorium, “Artistic Legacy: The Story of Arthur I. Appleton and the Appleton Museum of Art,” to learn about the history of the museum and the Appleton family. There are several new and must-see works of art on view in the second-floor Modern & Contemporary galleries, including a Picasso and two Warhol prints.

Guests can also visit the Artspace, full of activity stations and art projects for the whole family; there is even an area for toddlers with art books and soft blocks. This is also a great opportunity to take a stroll on the museum grounds and check out the outdoor sculpture collection.

About Arthur I. Appleton:

Born in Chicago in 1915, Arthur I. Appleton was the son of the founder of the Appleton Electric Company. He loved art and antiquities from an early age because his mother, a concert pianist, singer and collector of fine art, instilled in her children her love of beautiful things. After graduating from Dartmouth College in 1936, Arthur I. Appleton joined the family business, which manufactured electrical products used in chemical and steel plants. He contributed many inventions to the electronics field, acquiring more than 160 patents. Upon his retirement in 1982, the business was sold to Emerson Electric.

Appleton and his wife, actress Martha O’Driscoll, bought land in the Ocala area during the mid-1970s and established Bridlewood Farm, a thoroughbred breeding and training facility. When Appleton realized Ocala was the perfect setting for a museum that would allow him to share his vast art collections with the public, he hired Tampa architect Dwight Holmes to design the Appleton Museum of Art. The design was based on a sketch drawn by Appleton. Construction began on the 44 acres of land in 1984. The museum opened to the public in 1987, winning the American Institute of Architects Florida Award for Excellence. Appleton passed away Jan. 15, 2008, at the age of 92.

Owned and operated by 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 the Appleton Museum of Art at 352-291-4455 or visit AppletonMuseum.org.

The College of Central Florida presents “Countable/Uncountable: Jacoub Reyes,” Sept. 30-Oct. 31 at the Webber Gallery, Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road. This solo exhibition features a mix of prints and original hand-cut woodblocks. The prints comment on current events and look at the past, present and future through a mixture of religious and secular iconography to address pain, trauma, loss and the hope of a more inclusive future. Reyes sees the artwork as “finding a common thread that ties us together.”

Reyes is a multi-disciplinary artist living and working in Orlando. He has been featured in several publications such as The American Institute of Graphic Arts and Centric and Artborne magazines. Reyes is also a recipient of the Southern Graphics International grant award, J.R. Hopes scholarship, Master Scrounge Printer award by Ke Francis and other accolades. He is currently a year-long artist-in-residence at Maitland Art Center.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The gallery is closed Saturday, Sunday and college-observed holidays. The public is invited to a reception on Thursday, Oct. 3, from 5-7 p.m. The exhibit and reception are free.

For additional information, call 352-873-5809.

High school seniors and incoming and current college students interested in getting assistance with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid can attend a workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 2, from 2-6 p.m. at the College of Central Florida Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus, 15390 N.W. Highway 19, Chiefland.

Students under the age of 24 are strongly encouraged to attend with their parent or guardian. Required documents to bring include the student’s photo identification, parents’ and student’s 2018 income tax returns and all W-2s, Social Security numbers and dates of birth of parents and student, and records of all 2018 untaxed income.

Space is limited. Register at www.CF.edu/fafsaworkshop. For more information, call 352-658-4077.

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, will host a jazz concert featuring The Greg Snider Quartet on Thursday, Oct. 10, 7-9 p.m.

Led by College of Central Florida Professor and Saxophonist Greg Snider, the quartet will take guests on a musical journey through the history of the Harlem Jazz Age. This concert is inspired by the jazz imagery in Sharon Kerry-Harlan’s art quilts, on view through Oct. 20 in her solo exhibition “Urban Chatter.”

Tickets are $10 for Appleton members; $15 for nonmembers. Tickets must be purchased in advance at Eventbrite.com or by visiting AppletonMuseum.org. Cash bar will be available.

Owned and operated by 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 the Appleton Museum of Art at 352-291-4455 or visit AppletonMuseum.org.

College of Central Florida Theatre will present “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express” Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 17-19, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 20, at 3 p.m. in the Dassance Fine Arts Center, 3001 S.W. College Road.

This production is adapted by Ken Ludwig, directed by CF Associate Professor Dr. Kathleen Downs, and produced by special arrangement with Samuel French. The show is set in December 1935 when famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot’s train becomes trapped in deep snow and he is called on to solve a murder that occurred in a first-class sleeping car the night before.

Agatha Christie drew on her time treating Belgian soldiers during World War I to create the character of the fastidious, eccentric Hercule Poirot, whom she describes as a celebrated veteran of the war. “Murder on the Orient Express” specifically emerged from Christie’s fascination with the train route, which she rode first in 1928, and her time in Turkey and the Middle East. She wrote the novel almost entirely in a room at the Pera Palace Hotel in Istanbul.

In 1926, Christie disappeared for 11 days, spurring a media sensation and a manhunt that even involved fellow author Arthur Conan Doyle. She was found alive and well at a hotel and spa in Harrogate. Today, biographers attribute the disappearance to an emotional crisis following the death of her mother.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for nonstudents. CF students, faculty and staff are free with CF identification. For tickets and more information, call the CF Box Office at 352-873-5810 or visit www.tickets.cf.edu. The box office is located in lobby of the Fine Arts Center and is open from Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m. and an hour before show time.

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, announces its 2019-2020 After Hours schedule. Enjoy music, food and fun at this annual series of musical performances.

The series kicks off in October with an Oktoberfest band, Alpine Express, that entertains audiences with singing, yodeling, audience-participation and more. The high-energy show consists of traditional Oktoberfest music, along with unique folk instruments that may include alphorns, cowbells, the Holzanes G’Lächter (member of the xylophone family) and a singing saw. In December, Marina Tucker of Imperial String Quartet will present selections from the 1800s and other era-appropriate music in combination with the special exhibition “Across the Atlantic: American Impressionism Through the French Lens.” New to the Appleton’s stage, Chris McNeil will entertain guests in February with Southern influenced guitar-playing and singing. Last but not least, the Appleton welcomes back the popular duo Gosia and Ali for a performance in April showcasing the flute, acoustic guitar and vocals.

Admission is $5 for Appleton members; $15 for nonmembers. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.com or by visiting AppletonMuseum.org. Seating for each event is limited to 250. Doors open at 5 p.m. and music begins at 5:30 p.m. Food service and cash bar ends at 7 p.m. For questions, contact AppletonMuseum@cf.edu.

2019-2020 Concert Schedule

Thursdays, 5-8 p.m.

Oct. 3: Alpine Express (Oktoberfest)
Dec. 12: Marina Tucker, Imperial String Quartet
Feb. 6: Chris McNeil
April 2: Gosia and Ali

This season of After Hours has been generously sponsored by SeniorLearners.org and Ocala.com.

Owned and operated by 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 the Appleton Museum of Art at 352-291-4455 or visit AppletonMuseum.org.

CF will remain closed through Wednesday due to the uncertainty of Hurricane Dorian. This closing is for all sites, including the Ocala Campus, Citrus Campus, Levy Campus, Hampton Center, Appleton Museum and Vintage Farm, as well as online classes.

Please continue to monitor the CF website (www.CF.edu), traditional media and social media for additional updates.