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The Appleton Museum of Art, �㽶��Ƶ, is proud to present “What If Eye: Fifty Years of Exploration with Ummarid Eitharong,” on view Feb. 28-Aug. 3, 2025 in the first-floor Edith-Marie Gallery.

As a young man visiting the Kennedy Space Center with a friend, Ummarid “Tony” Eitharong remarked of an impressive wall mural, “I bet I could draw that.” Winning that bet was the genesis of a long and successful career in art.

Never content, Eitharong consistently asks himself “What’s next?” “What if I try this?” “What if I change that?” Through more than 50 works, visitors can experience his artistic evolution that has resulted in three distinct bodies of work. Beginning in the 1970s and 1980s, realistic yet expressive pencil portraits and figure drawings give way to mixed-media assemblages from his Military Industrial Art (M.I.A.) series from the 1990s and 2000s. Finally, his explosively colorful and magnetic acrylic paintings bring the viewer current with Eitharong’s work from the last 15 years through today.

“As a supporter of Florida’s artists for nearly four decades, the Appleton is happy to host a retrospective of Tony’s work,” said Jason Steuber, Appleton director. “He is very much admired in our community and well beyond and we know that our visitors will be amazed at his expansive artistic range, which is quite special.”

“What If Eye: Fifty Years of Exploration with Ummarid Eitharong” is sponsored by Fine Arts for Ocala (FAFO).

Director’s Circle Reception
Saturday, March 8, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Appleton Director’s Circle members are invited to celebrate “What If Eye” by joining the artist for an evening of hors d’oeuvres and wine, plus live music from Florida’s retro queen, Becky Baby. RSVP is required by March 2 to Colleen Harper, harperc@cf.edu, or 352-291-4455, ext. 1830.

Regular admission fees apply to visit. Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month as part of the Free First Saturday program. Free First Saturdays are supported in part by CAMPUS USA Credit Union, Marion Cultural Alliance and the 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 �㽶��Ƶ, 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 �㽶��Ƶ Webber Gallery will showcase the talent of the college’s visual arts and digital media students in the annual Student Art Exhibition on view March 31-May 6. Featuring a diverse range of mediums and styles, this exhibition spotlights the incredible passion and creativity of CF’s student artists.

“We look forward every year to providing a platform for emerging artists to showcase their work in a professional setting at the Webber Gallery,” said Tyrus Clutter, professor and program manager for art. “Each piece in this show tells a unique story, inviting viewers to explore the innovative visions of the next generation of artists.”

The community is invited to an opening reception and awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 2, at 12:30 p.m. Awards will include Best in Show, first through third place, honorable mentions and purchase awards. Notably, the People’s Choice Purchase Award, voted on by the CF student body, will add one student’s artwork to the college’s permanent art collection.

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 �㽶��Ƶ invites anyone thinking about college to attend the Preview event on Thursday, March 13, from 10 a.m.-noon at the CF Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus, 15390 N.W. Highway 19, Chiefland.

Preview is a chance for anyone considering college to learn about everything CF has to offer – for high school students to retirees and everyone in between. At CF’s largest event of the year, representatives from admissions, financial aid, student services, clubs and organizations will help attendees plan their successful college experience.

The $30 application fee is waived for anyone who applies at the event. Attendees who complete a survey will get a CF T-shirt and will be entered to win free tuition for one 3-credit undergraduate class at the in-state tuition rate.

Additional Preview events will be held at the Wilton Simpson Citrus Campus on Thursday, March 6, 5-7 p.m. and the Ocala Campus on Tuesday, March 11, from 5-7 p.m.

For more details, visit CF.edu/preview.

The �㽶��Ƶ invites anyone thinking about college to attend the Preview event on Thursday, March 6, from 5-7 p.m. at the CF Wilton Simpson Citrus Campus, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto.

Preview is a chance for anyone considering college to learn about everything CF has to offer – for high school students to retirees and everyone in between. At CF’s largest event of the year, representatives from admissions, dual enrollment, financial aid, student services, clubs and organizations will help attendees plan their successful college experience.

The $30 application fee is waived for anyone who applies at the event. Attendees who complete a survey will get a CF T-shirt and will be entered to win free tuition for one 3-credit undergraduate class at the in-state tuition rate.

Additional Preview events will be held at the Ocala Campus on Tuesday, March 11, from 5-7 p.m. and the Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus on Thursday, March 13, from 10 a.m.-noon.

For more details, visit CF.edu/preview.

The Appleton Museum of Art, �㽶��Ƶ, proudly announces its participation in celebrating Magnolia Art Xchange’s 10-year milestone with the exhibition “To the MAX: Magnolia Art Xchange’s 10-Year Anniversary.”

On view Feb. 15-May 18 in the second-floor Preview Gallery, the show includes MAX’s 2025 Resident Artists: Rod Acosta, Kendra Brazzel, Joan Elizabeth, Sarah Lajealle, Z Reyes and Tyrek Studivant.

Located in Ocala’s historic Union Station, MAX celebrates its 10th year as a vibrant hub for artists, educators and art enthusiasts. Through its Resident Artists program, MAX provides emerging and mid-career artists with the tools and opportunities to thrive both creatively and professionally. Resident Artists enjoy dedicated studio spaces with 24/7 access, the chance to showcase their work in exhibitions, engage in public educational programming and receive mentorship and support from MAX’s board of directors and advisory board. This signature program, in collaboration with the City of Ocala and partnership with FAFO (Fine Arts for Ocala), embodies MAX’s commitment to fostering artistic growth and community engagement.

“Celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Magnolia Art Xchange is incredibly meaningful because it marks a decade of fostering creativity, building community and empowering artists,” said Darian Mosley, MAX board member and secretary. “This incubator has not only had a profound impact on our local art scene but has also sparked a momentum that promises even greater achievements in the years to come.”

“To the MAX: Magnolia Art Xchange’s 10-Year Anniversary” is sponsored by Fine Arts for Ocala (FAFO).

Resident Art Talk
Saturday, March 1, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Join MAX’s six Resident Artists in the Appleton auditorium on the March 1 Free First Saturday for a featured talk focusing on their work and inspiration as artists. Participating artists include: Rod Acosta, Kendra Brazzel, Joan Elizabeth, Sarah Lajealle, Z Reyes and Tyrek Studivant. This talk is free as part of Free First Saturday; no reservation needed to attend.

Regular admission fees apply to visit. Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month as part of the Free First Saturday program. Free First Saturdays are supported in part by CAMPUS USA Credit Union, Marion Cultural Alliance and the 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 �㽶��Ƶ, 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 �㽶��Ƶ Foundation will host its annual Night at the Farm fundraising gala on Saturday, March 1, 2025, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the CF Vintage Farm Campus, 4020 S.E. Third Ave., Ocala.

All proceeds from this party with a purpose create scholarship opportunities for CF students. Over the past five years, the CF Foundation has raised more than $423,000 through the Night at the Farm event.

This year’s gala is presented by CAMPUS USA Credit Union and Friends of Horse Farms Forever. Guests will enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres featuring the flavors of Florida and live music by Michael Smith (The String Smith) – back by popular demand. Cocktail attire is recommended for this upscale event set under the glowing chandeliers of the college’s expansive vintage barn.

For tickets and more information, visit Nightatthefarm.org or call the CF Foundation office at 352-873-5808.

About the �㽶��Ƶ Foundation:
The �㽶��Ƶ Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to providing support for the �㽶��Ƶ through fundraising initiatives. The Foundation’s efforts are focused on enhancing the educational opportunities and resources available to students and faculty.

The striking architectural photographs of Joel Bustamante will be on view Jan. 18-June 8, 2025 in “Framing Tokyo: Joel Bustamante’s Architectural Photography” at the Appleton Museum of Art, �㽶��Ƶ. Opening in the Balcony Gallery for Florida Artists, the exhibition features 30 black-and-white and color photographs by the Venezuelan-born artist.

Bustamante (b. 1949) enjoyed an international education early in his career. He graduated from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale while working in the college’s photography department. Bustamante owned and operated an advertising agency in Caracas for a decade before graduating with a master’s degree in architectural photography from Tokyo-based Nihon University. During that time, he created a photo exposé of the amazing modern architecture in Japan from the 1970s-1980s, capped by the 1985 one-of-a kind structures erected for the World’s Fair in Tsukuba Science City, located north of Tokyo.

Regular admission fees apply to visit. Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month as part of the Free First Saturday program. Free First Saturdays are supported in part by CAMPUS USA Credit Union, Marion Cultural Alliance and the 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 �㽶��Ƶ, 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 �㽶��Ƶ recently was certified as a National Institute of Food and Agriculture Non-Land-Grant College of Agriculture. CF is one of only three Florida educational institutions with this designation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, alongside Florida State University and Florida International University, and is the only college in the Florida College System to earn this certification.

CF joins the ranks of 82 universities and just five other colleges nationwide with this designation, which makes CF now eligible to apply for specific sources of federal funding to build capacity, enhance academic programs and strengthen partnerships with local businesses and organizations. CF is the only Florida state college that offers an Associate in Science degree in Agribusiness Management, and CF’s Vintage Farm Campus is the only working farm campus within the Florida College System.

“The Vintage Farm Campus is quickly becoming one of the �㽶��Ƶ’s most high-tech educational facilities,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president. “This certification shows the potential for Marion County to become a hub for cultivating cutting-edge agriculture and equine talent for the entire state of Florida. With our area producing nearly $400 million in agriculture exports each year and generating an economic impact of more than $4 billion through our equine industry, CF is positioned to be the top educational provider for agribusiness career training, talent development and applied research.”

The Non-Land-Grant College of Agriculture designation is a key aspect of the CF Vintage Farm Plan for the Future, a five-year strategic plan for 2025-2029. One of the plan’s priorities is to obtain funding to expand CF’s training space with a state-of-the-art simulation lab, vocational lab and additional classroom space to accommodate the growing numbers of students interested in agribusiness and equine careers.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, a lifelong farmer, has recognized CF’s creative approach to expanding workforce education.

“CF has been ahead of the curve each time they have accommodated their local communities to make sure that they’re producing the workforce that is needed,” Simpson said. “You have this gem in Central Florida at CF that’s growing our talent for tomorrow’s jobs.”

For more information on �㽶��Ƶ’s Agribusiness Management program, visit CF.edu/Agribusiness. For more information on the CF Vintage Farm Campus, visit CF.edu/VintageFarm.