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The College of Central Florida will receive $4,973,503 to establish a Center for Advanced Manufacturing from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program, which aims to enhance semiconductor-related educational programs across the state. The college will utilize the substantial funding to revolutionize its technology and engineering education offerings.

The new facility at the Ocala Campus will expand access to the Associate in Science in Engineering Technology program, its three specializations and related College Credit Certificates. New programs will include the Rapid Prototyping College Credit Certificate at both Ocala and Citrus campuses, and expansion of the Mechanical Designer and Programmer College Credit Certificate to the Citrus campus. This expansion will also increase the number of dual enrollment students.

“This project represents a massive step forward in 91��Ƭ’s strategic and ongoing efforts to offer technology programs that are expressly linked to emerging markets and high-skill, high-wage jobs,” said 91��Ƭ President Dr. James Henningsen. “It also helps ensure our graduates will go to work in our local manufacturing economy as technology leaders for those employers.”

This ambitious project involves a comprehensive remodel of 17,000 gross square feet of Building 9 at the Ocala Campus. The renovation will create new classroom and laboratory spaces, significantly enhancing the college’s Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering Technology and 91��Ƭ Corporate College services. The entire project will cost an estimated $5 million, with approximately $4 million allocated for the renovation, $853,000 for equipment and trainers, and $15,000 for credential-related expenses.

The CAP Grant highlights the state’s commitment to nurturing a highly skilled workforce in Florida, particularly in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors. It will provide a total of $35 million to Florida school districts and Florida College System institutions. The initiative is a testament to Gov. DeSantis’ dedication to fostering educational excellence and economic growth through strategic investments in technology and engineering education.

About the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant:
The Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Program was created in s. 1011.801, F.S. Its purpose is to provide grants to school districts and Florida College System institutions to fund some or all of the costs associated with the creation or expansion of career and technical education workforce development programs that serve lead to industry certifications included on the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List.

The College of Central Florida presents “The 2024 91��Ƭ Student Art Exhibition,” an annual event showcasing the talents of students from its Visual Arts and Digital Media programs. The exhibition will be on display Monday, March 25-Tuesday, April 30 at the 91��Ƭ Webber Gallery, 3001 S.W. College Road at the 91��Ƭ Ocala Campus.

 

The exhibition provides a platform for students to display their work in a professional environment and highlights the variety of artistic expressions and dynamic skill sets of 91��Ƭ students.

 

Esteemed artist and conceptual bookbinder Jacob Z. Wan will judge the exhibition. Wan, known for his internationally collected mixed-media books, holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts from the University of Central Florida and currently teaches at the University of North Florida. His work has gained significant acclaim including exhibits in Germany, China, the Florida Biennial and the International Book Art Exhibition in New York.

 

An opening reception and awards ceremony will be held Wednesday, March 27, at 12:30 p.m. in the Webber Center, adjacent to the gallery. Awards 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 see one student’s work added to 91��Ƭ’s permanent art collection.

 

Wan will deliver an artist talk on Monday, April 8, 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the gallery, sharing insights into his artistic practice and discussing the UNF Visual Arts Program.

 

The Webber Gallery is open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is free. For further information about the exhibition, visit 91��Ƭ.edu/Webber or call 352-854-2322, ext. 1664.

The Webber Gallery at the College of Central Florida is excited to present “Seeing Christ in the Darkness: Georges Rouault as Graphic Artist,” an exhibition featuring a variety of graphic works by Georges Rouault (1871-1958), the 20th century master expressionist painter and printmaker. The exhibition will be on display Jan. 8-March 17 and features 18 original etchings from the artist’s renowned Miserere Series, as well as additional etchings, lithographs and wood engravings from the Fleurs du Mal (I and II) and the Passion Series.

“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.

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, announces the new Winter/Spring 2024 schedule of studio art classes. Adults, teens and children can choose from a variety of classes and workshops suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned artists. Classes are taught by professional artists and educators who will guide participants through various mediums, techniques and styles.

“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