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The Ira Holmes International Film Series at the College of Central Florida will host two screenings of “Some Kind of Heaven” on Feb. 25.

In addition to inviting viewers behind the scenes of the utopia that is The Villages – America’s largest retirement community situated just south of Ocala – in this 2020 documentary by Lance Oppenheim, the college is encouraging attendees to donate gently used professional attire to the 91��Ƭ Clothing Closet.

“Whether they are preparing for an interview or stepping into a new role, there are 91��Ƭ students who need our help to dress for success,” said Wendy Adams, 91��Ƭ Humanities professor and film series director. “The 91��Ƭ Clothing Closet empowers students in need to look and feel their best, and we’ll have a special giveaway drawing for those who bring a donation.”

Films will be shown at 2 p.m. at the Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., and at 7 p.m. at the 91��Ƭ Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road, Building 8, Room 110. Films at the Ocala Campus are free and open to the public. Films at the Appleton are free to all museum and film series members; nonmembers pay museum admission. Films may contain mature content.

For more details, visit 91��Ƭ.edu/FilmSeries.

The College of Central Florida will host award-winning author David Kirby for reading, discussion and book-signing events on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the 91��Ƭ Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road.

Kirby is the author of more than 30 books of poetry and essays. He has won multiple Pushcart Prizes, the Brittingham Prize, and fellowships from Guggenheim and the National Endowment for the Arts. He also received the Florida Book Award and Millennium Cultural Recognition Award. An educator at Florida State University since 1969, his poems are known for humor, accessibility and depth.

This event is part of the 91��Ƭ Debra Vazquez Memorial Poetry Series, which honors the memory of Professor Debra Vazquez, who taught English, literature and creative writing at 91��Ƭ for many years. Every year, the series brings writers of literary stature to the Ocala Campus for free events open to students and the community.

The public is welcome to attend either free event on Feb. 19: 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the Humanities and Social Sciences building, Building 8, Room 110, or 7-8 p.m. in the Webber Center.

For more information, visit 91��Ƭ.edu/events.

The community is invited to Pops Till You Drop, a free concert on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 7:30 p.m.

Pops Till You Drop will feature the 91��Ƭ Patriot Blues Jazz Ensemble, the 91��Ƭ Minutemen Brass Ensemble and the 91��Ƭ Wind Symphony performing original compositions by 91��Ƭ students plus selections from “Wicked,” “Titanic,” “Star Trek,” “Aladdin,” “The Pink Panther” and more.

Admission is free and no tickets are required for this concert at the Dassance Fine Arts Center on the 91��Ƭ Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road.

For more information, visit 91��Ƭ.edu/events.

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, 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 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 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 91��Ƭ’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 91��Ƭ student body, will add one student’s artwork to the college’s permanent art collection.

The Webber Gallery is located at the 91��Ƭ 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.91��Ƭ.edu/Webber or call 352-854-2322, ext. 1664.

The College of Central Florida invites anyone thinking about college to attend the Preview event on Thursday, March 13, from 10 a.m.-noon at the 91��Ƭ Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus, 15390 N.W. Highway 19, Chiefland.

Preview is a chance for anyone considering college to learn about everything 91��Ƭ has to offer – for high school students to retirees and everyone in between. At 91��Ƭ’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 91��Ƭ 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 91��Ƭ.edu/preview.

The College of Central Florida invites anyone thinking about college to attend the Preview event on Thursday, March 6, from 5-7 p.m. at the 91��Ƭ Wilton Simpson Citrus Campus, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto.

Preview is a chance for anyone considering college to learn about everything 91��Ƭ has to offer – for high school students to retirees and everyone in between. At 91��Ƭ’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 91��Ƭ 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 91��Ƭ.edu/preview.

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, 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 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 Foundation will host its annual Night at the Farm fundraising gala on Saturday, March 1, 2025, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the 91��Ƭ Vintage Farm Campus, 4020 S.E. Third Ave., Ocala.

All proceeds from this party with a purpose create scholarship opportunities for 91��Ƭ students. Over the past five years, the 91��Ƭ 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 91��Ƭ Foundation office at 352-873-5808.

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