Winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, Hayao Miyazaki’s wondrous fantasy adventure is a dazzling masterpiece from one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of animation. Chihiro’s family is moving to a new house, but when they stop on the way to explore an abandoned village, her parents undergo a mysterious transformation. Overflowing with imaginative creatures and thrilling storytelling, “Spirited Away” became a worldwide hit and is one of the most critically acclaimed films of all time.

The screening will begin at 2 p.m., at the Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala. 91��Ƭ Student Activities Board will provide 91��Ƭ students and film series members with a free popcorn and drink. 91��Ƭ ID or film series membership card required.

For a full series list and more information on the Ira Holmes International Film Series, contact Wendy Adams at 352-873-5800, ext. 1546, or visit www.91��Ƭ.edu/filmseries.

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Preview offers an invaluable opportunity for anyone considering college to discover all that 91��Ƭ has to offer. As 91��Ƭ’s largest event of the year, Preview brings together representatives from admissions, financial aid and student services, as well as various clubs and organizations. These representatives will be available to assist attendees in planning a successful college experience.

In a special offer to students at Preview, 91��Ƭ will waive the $30 application fee for anyone who applies during the event. Additionally, attendees who complete a survey will receive a complimentary 91��Ƭ T-shirt and will be entered into a drawing to win free tuition for one three-credit undergraduate class.

For more details about the Preview events, visit 91��Ƭ.edu/Preview.

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From Jan. 8-Feb. 5, 2024, photos taken of Silver Springs State Park using any camera or mobile device can be submitted to this contest. The contest is open to all ages and each participant may submit one photo per category. The three categories are: Color; Flora and Fauna; and People.

Submissions will be juried by Appleton Museum of Art and Silver Springs State Park staff. Two overall prizes will be awarded by age group: youth (17 and under) and adult (18 and older). Additional prizes will be awarded in each category.

Entries will be displayed at Silver Springs State Park from March 8-April 30, 2024. Regular park admission fees apply to see the photo display.

“We’re pleased to partner with our friend and neighbor, Silver Springs State Park,” said Appleton Director Jason Steuber. “The photography contest is a wonderful opportunity to engage the community and highlight the beautiful wonder of the springs and park, which we are so fortunate to have in Marion County. This contest coincides with several special exhibitions opening in early 2024 at the Appleton that feature artwork focused on Florida’s springs and waterways. We look forward to celebrating this unique and revered feature of the Sunshine State’s ecosystem.”

Contest Details and Rules:

• Entries must be original and taken by the person submitting the entry. Parents/guardians may submit photos on behalf of children under 18.
• Photos must have been taken at Silver Springs State Park (no specific timeframe).
• From Jan. 8-Feb. 5, 2024, email photos to AppletonEducation@cf.edu. Include the category in the subject line and your full name in the body of the email. For youth, please include age.
• Entries must be submitted by email; those submitted by mail or through Facebook or other social media will not be accepted.
• Entries will be juried and winning photos will be selected based on creativity, quality and overall impact.
• Winners will be notified before announcements are made on social media.
• The first 500 entries and the winning photos will be printed; others will be displayed virtually. Details will be announced before the exhibition opens.
• For ease of printing, photos will be cropped to 4 x 4 in. or 4 x 6 in. There are no guarantees for special printing of panoramas.
• Photos must be tasteful and a positive representation of Silver Springs State Park. Any photos or emails that do not adhere to all of the guidelines may be disqualified at the discretion of staff.
• Prizes will be shipped or available for pickup at the museum. Winners must provide a U.S. shipping address to request the prize by mail; international shipping is not available.
• Questions? Email AppletonEducation@cf.edu.

To learn more about upcoming exhibitions and other special programs, visit .

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

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“Georges Rouault was one of the few modern artists whose work was clearly religious,” said Bill Dyrness, senior professor of Theology and Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary in Los Angeles. “But the graphic art in this exhibition, done at the height of the artist’s powers, shows how deeply the artist identified with people’s sufferings and, indeed, saw within this darkness the salvation that Christ brought.”

On view during the religious season of Lent, this exhibit allows viewers to consider and contemplate the twin sufferings of humanity and Jesus. Rouault’s work is often darker and complex, unlike the typical imagery one might connect with Christianity, making the exhibit perfect for this reflective season within the church calendar.

The works on display are from The Bob and Sandra Bowden Collection of Chatham, Massachusetts, a substantial collection built over many years and many trips to Europe. Sandra Bowden will visit the Webber Center and Gallery on Wednesday, Jan. 17, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will participate in a question-and-answer forum with Professor Tyrus Clutter about the content and style of Rouault’s work. There is no fee to attend this session.

Admission is free. The Webber Gallery’s hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. For additional information, call the gallery at 352-854-2322, ext. 1664. Additional tours of this exhibition will take place on select Sunday afternoons during the exhibition. Visit for more details.

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“The Appleton is the perfect place to immerse yourself in a creative environment,” said Appleton Assistant Director Victoria Billig. “Whether you are just getting started on your artistic journey or are more advanced, there is truly something for everyone.”

Highlights from the upcoming schedule for children include the Museum & Me Pre-K Program for ages 2-5, offered bimonthly on Tuesdays from 10:30-11:30 a.m.; Art Adventures for ages 5-7 that meets on three consecutive Saturdays in April to introduce young Picassos to working in a studio environment; several six-week Art Explorations sessions for ages 8-12 that focus on drawing, painting and clay; and portrait drawing and wheel throwing just for teens to gain new skills or build their portfolios.

New, and geared toward independent and homeschool groups, the Museum Happenings program meets once a month on Jan. 23, Feb. 27 and March 26, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Led by a museum educator, this program includes an activity in the galleries and the Artspace.

For adults, the Art 101 workshop series offers low-commitment opportunities to try something new. One-day workshops include Watercolor on Jan. 9, Surrealist Landscape Painting on Feb. 13, Silk Scarves on March 12 and Pastel Sunflowers on April 9.

Multiweek classes for adults include three, six-week Dig into Clay sessions. Wheel Throwing begins Jan. 20 and again on March 23. Hand Building begins May 4. Classes meet on Saturdays and are open to potters of all skill levels. Artist Lisa Russo will lead a painting workshop in February, teaching participants to paint the soft and subtle skin tones of Bouguereau’s exquisite “Young Shepherdess” using acrylic paint.

The Master Class Series welcomes back Sue Primeau to lead a multiweek watercolor class in February and March, and Tyrus Clutter for a cyanotype workshop on May 18.

Registration is now open and advance registration is required for all classes and workshops. Visit AppletonMuseum.org for the full schedule of classes and to register. 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

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The fully online Fire Science Technology Associate in Science degree is designed to give students a scientific understanding of fire and emergency hazards, with an emphasis on effective prevention, control and management. The program will prepare students for employment in firefighting and prevention supervision, to supervise or manage firefighters who control and extinguish fires, protect life and property, and conduct rescue efforts.

“We’re proud to offer our Fire Science Technology program and look forward to preparing both current and future fire service professionals for an expanded managing fire officer role,” said Daniel Garcia, Fire Science Technology program manager. The program includes a curriculum tailored to certifications in Fire Officer I, Fire Officer II, Fire Safety Inspector I and Fire Instructor II.

For prospective students interested in learning more about the program, 91��Ƭ is hosting virtual information sessions on Tuesday, Dec. 5 and Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 11 a.m. Viewers will meet with Garcia, as well as an academic advisor, to learn details about the degree and program goals.

To register for the information sessions, please visit /events/category/health-sciences/list/. To learn more about this new program, visit .

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Over the last four decades, Gainesville-based multimedia artist Margaret Ross Tolbert has traveled extensively throughout areas of Florida and many international destinations that boast exceptional springs, waterways and caves. “Water’s Margins” brings together a selection of Tolbert’s paintings created following visits and plunges into these waters, including some in Marion, Levy and Citrus counties. The idea of the margins between humans and water reflects the interactive fluidity of the crystal-clear waters that flow from the Floridan aquifer.

From large-scale paintings to more intimate works created underwater on pieces of slate, Tolbert uses an array of kaleidoscopic blues and earth tones to express her passion for and understanding of these unique subaquatic environments.

Tolbert earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts in painting at the University of Florida and shortly thereafter began exploring the springs. She said, “The paradisiacal Springs of North Florida are my paintings’ subject and metaphor. The springs paintings begin onsite at the water’s edge and often in the water. I swim in the springs; I sketch underwater; I am inspired to write when I am beside them.”

Since the 1980s, Tolbert’s springs paintings have been featured in exhibits and collections in the U.S., Europe and Turkey. Appleton Director Jason Steuber, a longtime appreciator of Tolbert’s work, said, “Water is key to our existence and inspires awe and wonder. Margaret literally submerges herself in her work and her paintings offer us a new appreciation of Florida’s natural resources available at parks and springs that bubble up across the Sunshine State.”

Regular admission fees apply to visit. Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month as part of the Free First Saturday program.

Events with the Artist

Director’s Circle Reception

Saturday, Jan. 27, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Appleton Director’s Circle members are invited to celebrate the opening of “Water’s Margins” with hors d’oeuvres and wine in the café, and a meet-and-greet with artist Margaret Ross Tolbert. RSVP is required to Colleen Harper, harperc@cf.edu, or 352-291-4455, ext. 1831.

Gallery Tours with Margaret Ross Tolbert

Saturday, Feb. 3, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Take a tour of “Water’s Margins” with artist Margaret Ross Tolbert. Learn more about the work directly from the artist with opportunity to ask questions. Tours will meet in the first-floor Edith-Marie gallery and are free as part of Free First Saturday. Free First Saturdays are sponsored in part by Marion Cultural Alliance, National Endowment for the Arts 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

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According to the AACC, the conference brings together more than 850 NSF ATE grantees and their project partners to focus on the critical issues related to advanced technological education. Conference participants represent community colleges, business and industry, secondary school systems, and four-year colleges covering projects in a wide variety of areas, such as information technology, engineering technology, micro- and nanotechnologies, chemical technology, biotechnology, and others.

Kromke received his Associate of Science in Engineering Technology with a specialization in Advanced Manufacturing from 91��Ƭ, and is currently attending Daytona State College, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Engineering.

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Respondents were asked to indicate their satisfaction with the organization through which they obtained an online degree, including hybrid programs, and to what extent they would recommend the organization to others. The title serves to reinforce 91��Ƭ’s standing as an online college that provides great value and excellent opportunities to its students on a national level.

“Recognition by Statista and Newsweek reinforces the strength of 91��Ƭ’s online programs,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, 91��Ƭ president. “Whether a student chooses to attend in person, online or in combination, we know that they are receiving a quality education at an affordable price. This award is testament to the satisfaction of their experience.”

91��Ƭ offers fully online courses, degrees and certificates, as well as hybrid programs, allowing students to obtain a high-quality education on a flexible schedule. To learn more about 91��Ƭ’s Online Learning, visit .

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Mary Sue Rich is a graduate of Central Florida Community College (now the College of Central Florida) and the University of Central Florida. Born and raised in Ocala, Rich was the first African-American woman elected to the Ocala City Council and served for 24 years. In 2019, the “Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place” was named after Rich and community activist Ruth Reed, honoring their community service. Throughout the years, Rich has received many honors, including the 91��Ƭ Foundation’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2001.

“We are so proud that the Association of Florida Colleges recognized the outstanding qualities, service and leadership Mrs. Rich possesses with this statewide recognition,” stated Chris Knife, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and CEO of the 91��Ƭ Foundation. “She truly exemplifies what it means to be a 91��Ƭ alumna.”

Named in honor of former Governor LeRoy Collins, a champion of the state’s college system, the LeRoy Collins Distinguished Alumni Awards are held every two years to give the Florida College System the opportunity to recognize those that inspire and excel in our communities.  Each college is eligible to submit one nominee, but only four alumni across Florida receive the distinction of being a LeRoy Collins Distinguished Alumni. Award recipients must have achieved success within their college service district and demonstrated notable community involvement.

For more information about the Association of Florida Colleges, visit .

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