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Twinkling lights, themed trees, and timeless holiday charm — “A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition” is back at the Appleton Museum of Art, on view November 1–January 11.

Joyce Urban’s love of Christmas began when she was a child in the city of Philadelphia. Every year she would go see the elaborate decorations at the department stores set up along the path she walked as she went to see Santa. This wonder of Christmas has stayed with her through the years. She began publicly displaying her collection in 1989 because she wanted to provide a place for children of all ages to come experience what she did as a child. Over the years, her Christmas Tour has raised money for many local charities including Harvest International, Interfaith, Pilot Club, Women’s Pregnancy Center and the Counseling Resource Center where she worked as a counselor. In 2012, Joyce opened Urban Counseling where she continues her legacy of helping others.

The family of Dr. Paul and Joyce Urban is honored to share a portion of their Christmas collection with the Appleton each holiday season. Visitors can enjoy beautifully decorated themed trees, the ever-popular Dickens Village miniature, an extensive nutcracker collection, handmade Santas from around the world, and much more. With new arrangements and details each year, the display offers something fresh for returning visitors to discover.

Adorning the first and second-floor galleries are trees decorated by community groups and organizations. This year’s participants include Alta Printing, Appleton Artspace, Art Approach, Arts in Health Ocala Metro, Better Together, Bridge to Hope, CAMPUS USA Credit Union, College Park Elementary, Crazy Foods, East Marion Elementary, El Bell’s Flower Truck, Hands Up Communications with LN Signs and Greater Marion County Association of the Deaf (GMCAD), Hiers-Baxley – Highland Memorial Park, North Central Florida Media Group, The LILAC Foundation and Urban Counseling.

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.

Holiday Community Day
Saturday, December 6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Celebrate the season at the Appleton Museum of Art’s annual Holiday Community Day, held on Free First Saturday, December 6. Admission is free all day from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Visitors can enjoy the festive holiday atmosphere with A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition, along with additional holiday displays, special exhibitions, and hands-on crafts in the Artspace. From 10 a.m.–3 p.m., guests can enjoy Face Painting by Tonya, and Sensational Selfies returns this year to capture photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Each guest will receive one free printed photo and a texted image. At 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., the auditorium will feature short holiday performances by Devotions Dance Company. Throughout the day, The Donut Express, Poppy’s Dogs and the Brew Hope coffee truck will be on-site with food and beverages available for purchase, as well as El Bell’s Flower Truck and Humane Society of Marion County. This Free First Saturday/Holiday Community Day is sponsored by the Urban family and CAMPUS USA Credit Union.

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 .