Artifacts | May–August 2026

May–August 2026

College

Joyce Brancato, Vice Chair; Rusty Branson; Bobby Durrance; Bill Edgar; Jose Juarez; Fred Roberts Jr.; Charlie Stone, Chair

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

A Letter to Members and Friends

Summer is nearly here and we’re already two months into our special exhibition, “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee: Celebrating American Art and Design.” Attendance has been strong as we gear up for celebrating America’s patriotic 250th birthday in just a few short months. You noticed that “Ambassador Molly” graces the cover of this issue of Artifacts, and we are so proud and grateful to be the new caretakers of this hometown hero. You can read more about Molly and how she came to find a new home at the Appleton on page 9.

In celebration of “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” and the nation’s semi-quincentennial, we are offering free admission to the museum for the entire month of July, along with several special events. Members and nonmembers, alike, we hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to visit the museum for a quiet afternoon to yourself or to share with friends and family our world-class permanent collection and special exhibitions.

I’m also pleased to share that last month we hosted a consortium for members of Florida Association of Museums (FAM). We welcomed our colleagues in the arts for an afternoon exploring the museum, followed by a reception in our lovely interior courtyard. It’s the perfect time of year to show off the beautiful grounds. Events like this allow us to share all that we do here at the Appleton with other museums and arts professionals in the state, ultimately expanding our reach and making important connections for collaboration.

Lastly, please help us spread the word about our Summer Art Camp (page 12), which is more than 50% full! This year we were able to add an early care program for many of our camps, as well as additional camps for ages 5–7, our most popular age group.

With sincere appreciation,

Jason Steuber, Director

Scan the QR code to make a donation to the museum.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

May–August 2026 Free First Saturdays

Discover something new each month on Free First Saturdays! Enjoy free admission, inspiring exhibitions, hands-on art activities and educational programming. While you’re here, grab a bite from local food trucks and meet community partners such as the Humane Society of Marion County, LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, Friends of Silver Springs and more.

2026 Free First Saturdays: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

May 2, June 6, July (free admission all month), August 1, September 5, October 3, November 7, December 5

MAY 2

Performance: Fort King Middle School Marching Band, 11 a.m.

Film Screening: “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” (1971, Rated G, 1h 38m), 2 p.m.

Join the expedition visiting legendary candy man Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder) in a splendiferous movie that wondrously brings to screen the endlessly appetizing delights of Roald Dahl’s classic book. Free to attend.

JUNE 6

Talk: “Kenneth Treister: The Fusion of Architecture and Art” by Dr. Wayne Wood, 2 p.m.

Join Wood in the auditorium for a talk on Kenneth Treister, a Florida architect and sculptor whose designs have been described as, “a cross between Frank Lloyd Wright, Antoni Gaudi, Auguste Rodin and the Mayans.” His avant-garde approach to creating sensuous environments with unconventional shapes and novel use of materials sets him apart from other designers. Free to attend.

JULY 25

Talk: “Picturing Paradise: From John James Audubon to the Florida Highwaymen” by Dr. Keri Watson. (rescheduled from July 4), 1 p.m.

The Florida landscape has provided aesthetic inspiration to artists for centuries. Titian Ramsay Peale and John James Audubon came in search of native flora and fauna, followed by Harriet Beecher Stowe, Martin Johnson Heade, George Inness, Winslow Homer and Henry Ossawa Tanner, who were lured by its natural beauty and warm climate. This presentation offers a succinct and engaging history of Florida’s landscape painters. Free to attend.

AUGUST 1

Film Screening: “1776” (1972, Rated G, 2h 20m)

11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

This adaptation of the Broadway Tony-winning musical celebrates the founding fathers’ midwifery of the Declaration of Independence, the document that would give birth to a nation. Free to attend.

Please note: For all events, seating in the auditorium is limited to 250 guests on a first-come, first-served basis.

Free First Saturdays are supported in part by CAMPUS USA Credit Union.

July 1–31, 2026

Enjoy free admission all July in celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary. Explore special exhibitions and permanent collection galleries, visit the Artspace and take this opportunity to introduce family, friends and colleagues to the Appleton. See our full schedule of exhibitions and events at AppletonMuseum.org.

ON VIEW Spring/Summer 2026 Exhibitions

Through September 13

My Country, ’Tis of Thee:

Celebrating American Art and Design

On view now in the Edith-Marie Gallery on the first floor, “My Country, ’Tis of Thee” celebrates more than three centuries of American art and design. Most of the 115 works included in the exhibition are drawn from our permanent collection and range from contemporary furniture to Pop Art to historical photos and documents reflecting Marion County’s own history.

The exhibition is organized in themes inspired by the lyrics of “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” written in 1831 by Samuel Francis Smith, who was a student at the Andover Theological Seminary. The song debuted in public on July 4, 1831, at a children’s Independence Day celebration at the Park Street Church in Boston.

In the first bay, don’t forget to check out the timeline, chronicling the history of the Sunshine State. It begins in 1776 when Florida remained faithful to England as a haven for loyalist Tories during the American Revolution. The timeline continues through to this year, celebrating Ocala native and Olympic gold medalist Erin Jackson, who was selected by her peers as the U.S. flagbearer for the Winter Olympics opening ceremony. From its colonial roots to its modern-day triumphs, Florida’s history is a vital piece of the larger American story.

My country, ‘tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing; Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims’ pride, From every mountainside Let freedom ring!

July 4-January 24

Life, Labor and Lens: Randal Levenson’s Working-Class America

After receiving a Brownie camera from his father as a boy, Levenson developed a lifelong passion for photography. He studied the medium at the Rhode Island School of Design before going on to work with Robert Frank and develop prints for Richard Avedon. In addition to his career as a photographer, he taught at the University of Ottawa and lectured at Harvard and Brown University.

Opening in the Balcony Gallery for Florida Artists, “Life, Labor and Lens” surveys Levenson’s fivedecade journey through America and the people and places he encountered. Both familiar and nostalgic, his images share an unglamorous account of the American experience; gritty yet beautiful, sentimental yet honest.

Through August 16

Appleton Studio Art Showcase

Now in its eighth year, the “Appleton Studio Art Showcase” celebrates the works created by students of all ages in the museum’s studio arts programs. On view in the Education Wing Rotunda, this exhibition offers a unique look at the talent and creativity fostered within our year-round classes, workshops and art camps.

Open House Saturday, May 16, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Participating artists and their families can enjoy free admission during an Open House to see the artwork on display. Please check in at the Visitor Services desk in the museum lobby.

“Ambassador Molly” Finds a Place at the Appleton

Gleaming and white, carved from pristine Carrera marble by renowned artist Nilda Comas, “Ambassador Molly” sits proudly in the “My Country, ’Tis of Thee” exhibition on the first floor of the Appleton. Recently donated to the museum by Lilly Baron, who rescued Molly, the sculpture stands in memorial to the once mistreated but resilient mixed-breed boxer. The sculpture also serves as an emblem for Molly’s Law, a publicly accessible animal abuser registry maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement that lists individuals who have been convicted of or entered a guilty or no-contest plea to animal cruelty offenses.

The Appleton is pleased to now be the caretakers of “Ambassador Molly” and to debut her in the “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” exhibition, which celebrates American art and design.

Appleton Director Jason Steuber said, “When you visit, you’ll notice the exhibition is thematically arranged to reflect the opening lines of its namesake patriotic song. The sculpture ‘Ambassador Molly’ is presented against a backdrop of photographic portraits in the ‘Of Thee I Sing’ section. We feel Molly embodies the patriotic spirit and wholesomeness of our community, whose citizens came together to take public action that ultimately became law for the greater good.”

Following the end date of the exhibition on September 13, Molly will be relocated to another public space in the museum where she can continue to welcome our 70,000 annual visitors.

Photo courtesy of Avera Visuals.

EDUCATION NEWS

Meet

Deborah Horvath

Deborah Horvath has been an integral part of the education team at the Appleton since she first volunteered to help with Summer Art Camp in 2018, and was hired one year later as a part-time Education Assistant. As an artist with a background in education and sales, her keen eye and creative mind are behind many of the displays in the education spaces. She is the creative force behind the “Artist Spotlight” and many other shadowbox displays throughout the Artspace and education wing, updated several times a year. Recently, she curated a display of Japanese netsuke and hard-carved wooden birds in the education hallway. We sat down with Horvath to ask a few questions about how she got started in the arts.

Can you tell us a little about your professional background before joining the Appleton?

My first job was at a full-service flower shop when I was 15. I had to learn all about plants, what each flower was, and all aspects of floral design. Of course, they would do window displays as well. I also worked in sales, which was themed (like seasons and product lines) and related to marketing. For over a decade I did Christmas displays. As a preschool teacher I got to decorate my classroom however I wanted and I taught the Girl Scouts how to make displays. I love a well-executed trifold board!

How did you get into making displays for the Appleton?

It was sort of a “pick me” situation. My first display was dot-themed, for International Dot Day. The Artspace was being rebranded around the time I started and I had time to learn what the education team was looking for.

What’s your favorite thing about creating displays?

To me, it’s no different than working on a canvas. I have a message that I’d like to share, and I like the display to spark an interest in the viewer to learn something new or to inspire them with a fresh approach toward something they find appealing. I hope our guests look forward to new displays each time they revisit the museum, much like they do a new exhibition of artwork. I also hope they enjoy our displays — an endless combination of exciting materials and elements drawn together to express a shared message.

This summer, Horvath will be teaching two Summer Art Camps — Artsy Science (ages 8–12) and Pixels and Blocks (ages 8–12). See page 12 for more details.

ACADEMIC INITIATIVES CF Foundation Endowed Chair Project

As a campus of the College of Central Florida, the Appleton proudly supports special projects and activities spearheaded by faculty across all academic disciplines and campuses.

In 2025, Dr. Chelsea Watts and Professor Wendy Adams were awarded a CF Foundation Category I Endowed Chair. Endowed chairs provide funds that support innovative teaching, curriculum development, faculty training and special programming that enriches the academic experience for both students and instructors.

Led by Watts and Adams, this three-year project includes providing faculty with specialized training to integrate the Appleton’s permanent collection into their curricula. By replacing costly textbooks with ADA-compliant interactive media, the initiative promotes the adoption of free, open-source materials. Other special programs are planned over the course of the three years that focus on the Appleton’s collection and tie to on-campus curricula.

You may have already seen some of these special programs in action! On Presidents’ Day, Watts and Adams hosted a special screening of the film “The Monuments Men” at the Appleton, where participants were invited to explore the role of art preservation during wartime through an interactive scavenger hunt in the museum galleries. After the activity, visitors were invited to vote on the artwork from the collection they would choose to protect during a time of war, prompting thoughtful reflection on cultural heritage, preservation and the value societies place on works of art.

Beyond providing a valuable service to students and faculty, this project highlights the versatility of the Appleton’s collection as a powerful tool for transformative learning and academic engagement.

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STUDIO ARTS 2026 Summer Art Camp Spotlight

Take a peek at a few of the exciting camps being offered this summer. The full schedule of camps is available at AppletonMuseum.org.

Artsy Science (Ages 8–12)

Creative and curious about your world? Engage in hands-on activities that combine creative art with scientific concepts like color, motion and pattern. Learn about Escher’s tessellations, Calder’s mobiles and the science of color.

July 20–24, 1–4 p.m.

Instructor: Deborah Horvath

$150 Appleton members | $180 nonmembers

Pixels and

Blocks

(Ages 8–12)

Grab inspiration from your favorite block-based video game in a world of pixels, blocks, creativity and imagination! Build your own universe while exploring new art techniques with like-minded enthusiasts.

August 3–7, 1–4 p.m.

Instructor: Deborah Horvath

$150 Appleton members | $180 nonmembers

Outdoor Painting

(Ages 13–17)

Leave the classroom behind and explore CF’s Center for Agricultural Innovation at Vintage Farm as your painting studio. We’ll take portable easels and paints outside to practice your painting skills “en plein air,” or, in the open air. Please note, the class may also work indoors, depending upon the weather.

Off-site Camp at CF Vintage Farm July 13–17, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Instructor: Jordan Shapot

$170 Appleton members | $200 nonmembers

To see the full camp schedule for ages 5–17 or to register, visit AppletonMuseum.org or scan the QR code. All materials are included unless otherwise specified.

Programs for Adults

Dig into Clay: Wheel Throwing

Led by Dawn Bergstrom, this session offers potters of all skill levels a chance to practice and develop new skills and techniques in hand building and wheel throwing through fun and functional ceramic projects such as serving sets, vases, or your own creative expressions. Fee includes clay, glazes and firing.

Saturdays, August 22–September 26

2–4:30 p.m.

Appleton Members: $265 | Nonmembers: $310

Dig into Clay: Dig Deeper

Led by Dawn Bergstrom, take your pottery skills to the next level with Dig Deeper, the perfect follow-up to our basic wheel-throwing class.

Designed for intermediate potters who are confident in their ability to center clay, this six-week session explores more complex forms, advanced glazing techniques and ways to refine your throwing skills. Participants will build on foundational knowledge while experimenting with new creative approaches. Fee includes clay, glazes and firing.

Saturdays, August 22–September 26 10:15 a.m.–12:45 p.m.

$265 Appleton Members | $310 Nonmembers

Prerequisite: Participants must have completed at least two regular “Dig into Clay” classes within the past three years.

Virtual Art 101: Acrylic Painting

Join us for this free online workshop to learn new acrylic painting techniques or refine your existing skills in a single, two-hour session. Participate live via Zoom with fellow art enthusiasts from around the world and follow along with step-by-step instruction from our teaching artist. A recording will be available to watch later.

Tuesday, August 25, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Registration will appear on Eventbrite.com a month before the event (link available at AppletonMuseum.org). There are no fees to participate; supply list provided on Eventbrite.

For more information or to register for adult classes, visit AppletonMuseum.org or scan the QR code. All materials are included unless otherwise specified.

APPLETON ART SCENE

This page

1–5

Appleton members celebrated the opening of “My Country, ’Tis of Thee: Celebrating American Art and Design.”

Opposite page

6–8

Artist Judy Weber-Lucas (8) led a floral paper and paint collage workshop for adults.

9–11

Fifth-grade students attended the annual Marion County Tag Art open house.

12–13

Education assistant Ruth Dexheimer (12) led the March Museum & Me program for ages 2–5.

THE ART OF LIVING Member Events,

News and Deals

After Hours with Maritime Art: An Invitation for Appleton Director’s Circle Members

Thursday, August 27, 5–6:30 p.m.

The second event in our After Hours lecture series, Director’s Circle members are invited to join Museum Educator Hollis Mutch for a talk on maritime art from the permanent collection. Learn more about the Battle of Trafalgar, the decisive British Naval Victory during the Napoleonic Wars, through an examination of William Adolphus Knell’s painting and the miniature replica of the HMS Victory. Explore the artwork of Richard Brydges Beechey, Henry Scott, Montague Dawson, and the history of the British tea clipper, the Cutty Sark.

Like last time, we will meet in the café for light snacks and a glass of wine. You will be permitted to bring your wine into the auditorium. The talk will begin at 5:45 p.m.

This event is free, and open to Director’s Circle members. RSVP is required to Colleen Harper, harperc@cf.edu, or 352-291-4455, ext. 1831.

(detail) “Song of the Sea: Cutty Sark,” 1964, Montague Dawson (British, 1895–1973), Oil on canvas, Gift of Arthur I. Appleton.

A Place to Pause: Memorial Bench Installation Begins

Our brand new benches have arrived and are being installed across the grounds with their commemorative and memorial plaques. We extend sincere thanks to our generous donors for supporting the museum and our ongoing Sculpture Walk and Garden project.

For many years we have made a dedicated effort to raise funds specifically for maintaining and beautifying our expansive outdoor spaces. This work includes everything from seating and lighting to the care of sculptures, repairs to the reflecting pool, and both general and seasonal landscaping needs. It’s a big job but well worth the effort to ensure a safe, welcoming and enjoyable environment for our visitors. We simply couldn’t do it all without your support.

As this project continues, we offer $100 bricks (8x4 in.), $250 pavers (8x8 in.) and $5,000 benches. Bricks and pavers are installed in the circular pads surrounding outdoor sculptures, while benches are placed throughout the grounds. Each provides a meaningful opportunity to honor a loved one, share a favorite quote or create a lasting family legacy. To purchase a brick, paver or bench, scan the QR code. Or, email AppletonMuseum@cf.edu to learn more.

Additional contributions are always welcome and may be made through the Sculpture Walk & Garden online donation form by selecting “Other Amount.” Every gift, in any amount, truly makes a difference.

May–August 2026 Member Deals

Enhance your membership experience by exploring exclusive discounts at select local businesses, curated especially for Appleton members. Your support means the world to us, and as a token of our gratitude, we’re delighted to offer you these new coupons from our generous network of business partners. To redeem, clip the coupon you want to use and present it to the participating business. Coupons expire on August 31, 2026.

La Cuisine French Restaurant 48 SW 1st Ave. | Facebook @lacuisineocala Instagram @lacuisineocala | lacuisineocala.com

10% OFF

An award-winning, authentic selection of bistro dishes drawn from various regions of France. Offer not valid on holidays and cannot be combined with prix-fixe menus and discounts.

Farm Tours of Ocala 352-895-9302 (call to book) | farmtoursofocala.com

15% OFF

Enjoy a guided insider’s tour of Ocala’s working farms and discover why Marion County is the “Horse Capital of the World!” Tours are Monday-Saturday, daily, and begin at 8:30 a.m. and finish between noon and 12:30 p.m. Closed on major holidays; coupon cannot be combined with other discounts.

Sandy’s Shack Imported Wine and Beer

4901 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Units 306-307 | Facebook @SandysShackWineandBeer Instagram @sandysshackwineandbeer | sandysshack.com

10% OFF

The biggest wine and beer store in North Central Florida, offering imported wines and beers, craft beers, mead, cider, sake and more. Offer excludes cigars.

Looking to spotlight your locally owned business? Consider featuring an exclusive, members-only deal for Appleton members! By partnering with us, your business will be showcased on the Appleton website, highlighted in “Artifacts” magazine, and shared in our weekly eblast, reaching over 8,000 engaged contacts. This is a fantastic opportunity to promote your business to a broader audience. To get started, reach out to Jason Steuber at steuberj@cf.edu. Deals are fully customizable by your business, including any restrictions, blackout dates, or specific terms.

WELCOME TO THE DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE

New, Upgraded and Renewed

(December 1, 2025–March 31, 2026)

Thank you to our Director’s Circle members for their support! To join, renew or upgrade memberships at any level, contact Colleen Harper, harperc@cf.edu, or 352-291-4455, ext. 1831. Or visit AppletonMuseum.org.

Ms. Nancilee Alley

Mr. and Mrs. Ron Bethune

Mr. Masataka Blackburn

Ms. Donna M. Bosold

Mr. and Mrs. Gus Bruno

Mrs. Susan J. Burdan

Mr. and Mrs. Albert Burnell

Mr. and Mrs. Craig J. Cannon

Bernie and Artie Carleton

Mr. Jimmy Carrell

Ms. Katherine Carriger

Mrs. Margitta Claterbos

Ms. Alison W. Conner

Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Deason

Mr. and Mrs. Robert DeJohn

Ms. Mary Delancey

Mr. Dan Dooley

Ms. Janis Dorgan

Elizabeth and Jamie Dressel

Morgan and Kelly Evans

Mr. and Mrs. Donald S. Fare

Ms. Sharon Fernandes

Ms. Nancy Fishell and Mr. Howard Seip

Mrs. Sandra Fuller

Amanda Gushue and Jess Bloom

Ms. Jarl B. Hagood

Ms. Shirley A. Halcomb

Gloria Harwig and Fred Blume

Kirk and Judith Hempel

Dr. and Mrs. James D. Henningsen

Mr. William Hoeper and Mrs. Kathy Frank

Mr. Brian Holloway

Mrs. Shanna Holloway

Scott and Danuta Jacob

Heidi and Jason Jasper

Ms. Peggy Johnson

Mr. Roger Kass

Dr. Evelyn B. Kelly

Mrs. Helen Klocko

Mr. and Mrs. Norris F. Krohn, II

Dr. Susan Krotzinger

Julia and Dallas Lee

Ms. Denise Leigh

Mr. and Mrs. Austin Lillard

Mr. Peter Littlefield

Ms. Jonia R. McGill

Mr. Jerry McGill, Jr.

Ms. Karen McKeon

Ms. Elizabeth Mignano

Ms. Joyce S. Mills

Ms. Mary Moore

Dr. and Mrs. Orlando Moreno

Mr. Wolfgang Mueller

Mr. Mark P. Mulligan

Samuel and Jane Mutch

Ms. Linda W. Myers

Greg Neri and Margret Kusenbach

Mr. and Mrs. James R. Nichols

Mr. David G. Peck

Mr. Seth Perkins

Mrs. Kristi C. Potter de Haan

Mr. and Mrs. Norman Reid

W. Wynn Riley and George P. Ververis, Jr.

Ms. Eileen Roemer

Al and Jacqueline Rosencrance

Mr. and Mrs. David Rossiter

Dr. Robert Sazama

Ms. Bonnie Schirmers

Richard E. Schleicher and James H. Poston, Jr.

Ms. Carolyn M. Scott

Ms. Martha K. Slemmer

Mrs. Linda C. Smith

Dana and Alan Spector

Ms. Sharon Statucki

Mr. Scott Sturgis

Ms. Dorothy Swartz

Dr. Frederick F. Tarolli

Mrs. Ida Mae Thayer

Mr. and Mrs. Kendall Turnage

Dr. James Ukockis and Ms. Catherine Miller

Tori and Toy Underwood

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Verdi

Dr. Carolin Von Rosenberg

Mr. Anthony Waller

Mr. Kenneth Washington

Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit White

Mr. Robert G. Wuestenhagen

Ms. Gwen Zeller

Ms. Cynthia Zoll

4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL 34470-5001

352-291-4455 | AppletonMuseum.org

ON THE COVER AND TABLE OF CONTENTS: (detail) “Ambassador Molly,” 2023, Nilda Maria Comas (American, b. 1953), Carrara marble on granite base, Gift of the SPCA of Ocala Animal Rescue, Photo courtesy of Avera Visuals.