Appleton Museum of Art / College of Central Florida

Godzilla Double Feature
2025-05-03 11:00 - 15:00 UTC | Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
Inspired by the special exhibition, “Framing Tokyo,” join us in the auditorium on the May 3 Free First Saturday for a double-feature screening of two notable films in the Godzilla franchise. Following a brief introduction by Appleton staff at 11 a.m., the films “Godzilla” (1954) and “The Return of Godzilla” (1984) will be shown back-to-back with a 15-minute intermission between. (Not Rated, 96 minutes; TV-PG, 103 minutes)
Screenings are free as part of Free First Saturday; no reservations needed to attend.
Free First Saturdays are supported in part by CAMPUS USA Credit Union, Marion Cultural Alliance and National Endowment for the Arts.

Topics and concepts presented at this event are for discussion purposes only and are not intended to espouse, promote, advance, inculcate, or compel individuals to believe the topics or concepts presented therein. Nor do they constitute endorsement of such topics or concepts by the College of Central Florida, its Board of Trustees, or any of their officers, employees, or agents.

Free First Saturday
2025-05-03 10:00 - 17:00 | Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
Visit the Appleton on May 3 for Free First Saturday! Admission to the museum is free from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Explore the permanent collection, special exhibitions, and enjoy family-friendly artmaking activities in the Artspace.
Join us in the auditorium for a double-feature screening of the two notable films in the Godzilla franchise, an international icon and grandfather of monster movies. Following a brief introduction by Appleton staff at 11 a.m., the films “Godzilla” (1954) and “The Return of Godzilla” (1984) will be shown back-to-back with a 15-minute intermission between. Screenings are free as part of Free First Saturday; no reservations needed to attend. (Not Rated, 96 minutes; TV-PG, 103 minutes)
Michelle’s NY Style Hot Dogs and The Donut Express food trucks will be onsite throughout the day, as will LifeSouth Community Blood Centers.
Saturday hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Free First Saturdays are supported in part by CAMPUS USA Credit Union, Marion Cultural Alliance and National Endowment for the Arts.

Director's Circle Event: Elephant and Reflecting Pool Unveiling
2025-04-24 18:00 - 20:00 | Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
Appleton Director’s Circle members are invited to a special “poolside” celebration as we unveil the newly restored reflecting pool and bronze elephants. Returning to their original location, the beloved sculptures will spring back to life as a working fountain.
Enjoy live music by the CF Patriot Blues Jazz Ensemble, BBQ by Artman Country Smokehouse and refreshments. Remarks will begin at 6:30 p.m.
RSVP is required to Colleen Harper, harperc@cf.edu, or 352-291-4455, ext. 1831.

Exploring Florida's Sacred Waters
2025-04-05 11:00 - 12:30 | Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
Join us in the auditorium on the April 5 Free First Saturday for a presentation by Dr. Victoria Machado, entitled “Exploring Florida’s Sacred Waters.” Drawing from the concept of ‘spirituality’ and the environmental humanities, this program explores how Floridians can understand the state’s waters within the context of the sacred, the holy or the divine. By gathering historical outlooks and present-day environmental movements, Machado examines the cultural connections Floridians have to water and various environmental practices these connections inspire.
This program is free as part of Free First Saturday; no reservations needed to attend.
Free First Saturdays are supported in part by CAMPUS USA Credit Union, Marion Cultural Alliance and National Endowment for the Arts.

Free First Saturday
2025-04-05 10:00 - 17:00 | Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
Visit the Appleton on April 5 for Free First Saturday! Admission to the museum is free from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Explore the permanent collection, special exhibitions, and enjoy family-friendly artmaking activities in the Artspace.
Join us in the auditorium at 11 a.m. for a talk by Dr. Victoria Machado entitled, “Exploring Florida’s Sacred Waters.” Drawing from the concept of “spirituality” and the environmental humanities, Dr. Victoria Machado explores how Floridians can understand the Sunshine State’s waters within the context of the sacred, the holy or the divine. This talk is free; no reservations needed to attend.
The Secret Kitchen Latin Fusion food truck will be on site throughout the day, as will El Bell’s flower truck (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) and LifeSouth Community Blood Centers.
Saturday hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Free First Saturdays are supported in part by CAMPUS USA Credit Union, Marion Cultural Alliance and National Endowment for the Arts.

CF International Film Series Screening: "Following the Ninth"
2025-03-25 14:00 - 15:40 | Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
As part of the CF Ira Holmes International Film Series, see a screening of “Following the Ninth: In the Footsteps of Beethoven’s Final Symphony.”
“Following the Ninth” is a documentary film about the global impact of Beethoven’s final symphony. This film was directed by Kerry Candaele, award-winning documentary film director, writer and musician. His films include Walmart: The High Cost of Low Price and Iraq for Sale. He was also assistant producer on the documentary A League of Their Own, a film about his mother, which was turned into a feature film starring Tom Hanks and Geena Davis. He has written three books and three albums of his own music. He is married, has three daughters and lives in Venice, California. (NR, USA, 2013, 1 hour, 39 minutes)
Screenings are free for Appleton and film series members; included with admission fee for nonmembers.

CF International Film Series Screening: "My Donkey, My Lover & I"
2025-03-11 14:00 - 15:30 | Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
As part of the CF Ira Holmes International Film Series, see a screening of “My Donkey, My Lover & I.”
Antoinette, a schoolteacher, is looking forward to her long-planned summer holiday with her married lover Vladimir, the father of one of her pupils. When she learns that Vladimir has to cancel because his wife organized a surprise hiking vacation, Antoinette decides to follow their tracks, accompanied by a protective donkey named Patrick. (NR, France, 2020, 1 hour, 33 minutes)
Screenings are free for Appleton and film series members; included with admission fee for nonmembers.

Director's Circle Reception: "What If Eye"
2025-03-08 17:30 - 19:30 | Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
Director’s Circle members are invited to celebrate the special exhibition, “What If Eye: Fifty Years of Exploration with Ummarid (Tony) Eitharong.” Join the artist for an evening of hors d’oeuvres and wine, plus live music from Florida’s retro queen, Becky Baby. At 6:15 p.m. in the auditorium, Appleton director Jason Steuber will give brief remarks with museum news and a preview of what’s to come in 2025.
RSVP is required by March 2 to Colleen Harper, harperc@cf.edu, or 352-291-4455, ext. 1830.

MAX Resident Artist Talk
2025-03-01 11:00 - 12:30 | Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
Join us in the auditorium at 11 a.m. on the March 1 Free First Saturday for a talk by Magnolia Art Xchange (MAX)’s 2025 Resident Artists, whose works are featured in the exhibition, “To the MAX.”
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.
Free First Saturdays are supported in part by CAMPUS USA Credit Union, Marion Cultural Alliance and National Endowment for the Arts.

Free First Saturday
2025-03-01 10:00 - 17:00 | Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
Visit the Appleton on March 1 for Free First Saturday! Admission to the museum is free from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Explore the permanent collection, special exhibitions, and enjoy family-friendly artmaking activities in the Artspace.
Join us in the auditorium at 11 a.m. for a talk by Magnolia Art Xchange (MAX)’s 2025 Resident Artists, whose works are featured in the exhibition, “To the MAX.” Participating artists include: Rod Acosta, Kendra Brazzel, Joan Elizabeth, Sarah Lajealle, Z Reyes and Tyrek Studivant. This talk is free; no reservations needed to attend.
The Casita Luna and Donut Express food trucks will be onsite throughout the day, as will Humane Society of Marion County.
Saturday hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Free First Saturdays are supported in part by CAMPUS USA Credit Union, Marion Cultural Alliance and National Endowment for the Arts.

CF International Film Series Screening: "Some Kind of Heaven"
2025-02-25 14:00 - 15:30 | FL
As part of the CF Ira Holmes International Film Series, see a screening of “Some Kind of Heaven.”
First-time feature director Lance Oppenheim cracks the manicured façade of The Villages, America’s largest retirement community – a massive, self-contained utopia located in Central Florida. “Some Kind of Heaven” invests in the dreams and desires of a small group of Villages residents – and one interloper – who are unable to find happiness within the community’s prepackaged paradise. (Not Rated, 1 h 23 m)
Screenings are free for Appleton and film series members; included with admission fee for nonmembers.

CF International Film Series Screening: "Hit the Road"
2025-02-11 14:00 - 15:30 | Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
As part of the CF Ira Holmes International Film Series, see a screening of “Hit the Road.”
Panah Panahi, son and collaborator of embattled filmmaker Jafar Panahi and apprentice to Iranian master Abbas Kiarostami, makes a striking feature debut with this charming, sharp-witted and deeply moving comic drama. Hit the Road takes the tradition of the Iranian road-trip movie and adds unexpected twists and turns. It follows a family of four – two middle-aged parents and their sons, one a taciturn adult, the other an ebullient six-year-old – as they drive across the Iranian countryside. (NR, Iran, 2021, 1 hour, 33 minutes)
Screenings are free for Appleton and film series members; included with admission fee for nonmembers.

Film Screening: "Boom for Real: The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat"
2025-02-01 14:00 - 15:20, 2025-02-01 11:00 - 12:20 | Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
Join us on the February 1 Free First Saturday for a screening of the 2017 documentary, “Boom for Real: The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat.” Never-before-seen works, writings and photographs offer insight into the life of Jean-Michel Basquiat as a teenager in New York in the late 1970s. The times, the people and the movements of the city help Basquiat form his artistic vision. Screenings are free; no reservations needed to attend. (PG, 1 h 18 m)
Screenings are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and are free as part of Free First Saturday. No reservations needed to attend.
Free First Saturdays are supported in part by CAMPUS USA Credit Union, Marion Cultural Alliance and National Endowment for the Arts.

Free First Saturday
2025-02-01 10:00 - 17:00 | Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
Visit the Appleton on February 1 for Free First Saturday! Admission to the museum is free from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Explore the permanent collection, special exhibitions, and enjoy family-friendly artmaking activities in the Artspace.
At 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. see a screening of the 2017 documentary, “Boom for Real: The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat.” Never-before-seen works, writings and photographs offer insight into the life of Jean-Michel Basquiat as a teenager in New York in the late 1970s. The times, the people and the movements of the city help Basquiat form his artistic vision. Screenings are free; no reservations needed to attend. (PG, 1 h 18 m)
The Nan & Tam Buns on the Run and Donut Express food trucks will be onsite throughout the day.
Saturday hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Free First Saturdays are supported in part by CAMPUS USA Credit Union, Marion Cultural Alliance and National Endowment for the Arts.

Film Screening: "Frozen"
2025-01-04 14:00 - 15:50, 2025-01-04 11:00 - 12:50 | Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
Join us on the January 4 Free First Saturday for a screening of the 2013 Disney animated musical, “Frozen.” After the kingdom of Arendelle is cast into eternal winter by the powerful Snow Queen Elsa, her sprightly sister Anna teams up with a rough-hewn mountaineer named Kristoff and his trusty reindeer Sven to break the icy spell. Based on “The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Andersen.
Screenings are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and are free as part of Free First Saturday. No reservations needed to attend.
Free First Saturdays are supported in part by CAMPUS USA Credit Union, Marion Cultural Alliance and National Endowment for the Arts.

Free First Saturday
2025-01-04 10:00 - 17:00 | Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
Visit the Appleton on January 4 for Free First Saturday! Admission to the museum is free from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Explore the permanent collection, special exhibitions, and enjoy family-friendly artmaking activities in the Artspace.
At 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. see a screening of the 2013 Disney animated musical, “Frozen.” After the kingdom of Arendelle is cast into eternal winter by the powerful Snow Queen Elsa, her sprightly sister Anna teams up with a rough-hewn mountaineer named Kristoff and his trusty reindeer Sven to break the icy spell. Based on “The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Andersen. Screenings are free; no reservations needed to attend. (PG, 1 h 50 m)
The Heavenly Foods and Devilish Treats food truck will be onsite throughout the day.
Saturday hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Free First Saturdays are supported in part by CAMPUS USA Credit Union, Marion Cultural Alliance and National Endowment for the Arts.

Holiday Closure
2025-01-01 | Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
The Appleton is closed in observance of New Year’s Day. Regular hours will resume tomorrow.

Holiday Community Day
2024-12-07 10:00 - 17:00 | Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
Visit on the December 7 Free First Saturday for the annual Holiday Community Day. Enjoy free admission all day to see “A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition,” as well as other holiday displays and special exhibitions. Make festive crafts in the Artspace, and from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., have your picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy Face Painting by Tonya.
The Donut Express, Poppy’s Dogs and Little Red’s Chicken & BBQ food trucks will be onsite throughout the day.
Saturday hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
This Free First Saturday/Holiday Community Day is sponsored by the Urban Family, CAMPUS USA Credit Union, Marion Cultural Alliance and National Endowment for the Arts.

CF Film Screening: "Close to Vermeer"
2024-11-26 14:00 - 16:00 | Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
Presented by the College of Central Florida’s Ira Holmes International Film Series, see a screening of “Close to Vermeer.” (NR, Netherlands, 2023, 1 hour, 19 minutes)
Capturing the imagination of the art world – with glowing reviews, global publicity, and tickets sold out through the entirety of its run – the Rijksmuseum’s Vermeer retrospective is nothing short of an historic event. Suzanne Raes’s film follows curators, conservators, collectors, and experts in their joint mission to shine a new light on the elusive Dutch Master. This fascinating documentary reveals everything from the quiet diplomacy required to get the Vermeers to the Netherlands and the new technical knowledge gained by scanning the paintings layer by layer, to the shocking news that one work may not be by Vermeer after all.
Film is free for Appleton and film series members; included with admission fee for nonmembers.
