[Orlando] Orlando Museum of Art
Since its inception, the Orlando Museum of Art has enriched Florida's cultural life by providing excellence in the visual arts.
Seven galleries within the Museum display ever-changing exhibitions. Currently, the Museum's American Art Collection consists of works including paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, and sculptures from the 18th century to the present. The Museum's 18th, 19th, and 20th-century holdings include works by artists such as John Singer Sargent, Thomas Moran, George Inness, Georgia O'Keeffe, Ansel Adams, Suzanne McClelland, Robert Rauschenberg, Pat Steir, Morris Louis, John Chamberlain, and Dennis Oppenheim, among others.
407-896-4231 | www.omart.com

[Lakeland ] Polk Museum of Art
With eight galleries and a sculpture garden, visitors are sure to find something they like on exhibit here. The rotating exhibition schedule offers a diverse array of visual options, from African or Asian art to contemporary art by national or regional artists.
Downstairs, visitors enter into the Hollis Gallery, otherwise known as the "front porch." Major touring and Museum organized exhibitions are found in the two large main galleries: the Dorothy Jenkins Gallery and the Emily S. Macey Gallery. Pre-Columbian works can be found on permanent display in the Taxdal Pre-Columbian Gallery, and artwork by elementary through high school students will be found in the George Jenkins Student Gallery.
863-688-7743 | www.polkmuseumofart.org

[Sarasota] John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, is the largest museum complex in the nation. It preserves the legacy of John and Mable Ringling, while with its connection to Florida State University, educates and enables a large and diverse audience to experience and take delight in a world-renowned collection of fine art.
As the Museum's collection continues to grow, so does the Museum. In 2002, the Koger Collection of Chinese ceramics, which spans over four millennia of Chinese ceramics, was donated to the Museum.
941-359-5700 | www.ringling.org

[Winter Park] Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
The museum houses the world's most comprehensive collection of the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933) including Tiffany jewelry, pottery, paintings, art glass, leaded-glass windows, lamps, and the chapel interior he designed for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The Museum's holdings include a major collection of American art pottery and representative collections of late-19th and early-20th century American paintings, graphics, and decorative arts.
Exhibitions in the Museum's 19 galleries are changed periodically to enable the public to see more of the permanent collection and to bring a broader understanding of developments in American art.
407-645-5311 | www.morsemuseum.org

[West Palm Beach] Norton Museum of Art
Ralph Hubbard Norton (1875-1953) and his wife, Elizabeth Calhoun Norton (1881-1947), founded the Norton Museum of Art in 1941. For many years, Ralph and Elizabeth Norton were actively interested in fine arts and developed a sizable collection of paintings and sculpture.
In 1940, the Norton Gallery and School of Art was built in West Palm Beach. Mr. Norton commissioned Marion Syms Wyeth, of the distinguished firm of Wyeth, King & Johnson, to design a building to house the collection. The late Art Deco/Neo-Classic building opened its doors to the public on February 8, 1941.
After renovations and additions, the current Norton Museum of Art houses 122,500 square feet and is highlighted with new and pre-existing galleries which display the Museum's permanent collection.
561-832-5196 | www.norton.org

[St. Petersburg] Museum of Fine Arts
Founded by Margaret Acheson Stuart (1896-1980), the Museum of Fine Arts reflects her vision of providing outstanding examples of world art in an inviting, elegant setting.
The Museum opened to the public in 1965 and became dedicated to serving all people by pursuing excellence in art from antiquity to the present through collection, exhibitions, and education for its diverse audiences.
The Museum of Fine Arts has the only comprehensive art collection on the Florida west coast. The Museum's wide range of special exhibitions are designed to enhance the understanding of world art and to compliment the gallery's permanent collection.
727-896-2667 | www.fine-arts.org

[Vero Beach] Vero Beach Museum of Art
The museum provides cultural leadership and the enrichment of the public through a diversity of quality exhibitions and a significant permanent collection of American and international works of art. Current exhibitions include FACE FORWARD: American Portraits from Sargent to the Present through May 25, 2008, BARRY FLANAGAN: Sculptures through May 18, 2008, and the recent installation of two new outdoor sculptures: Deborah Butterfield's Saltbox and Thomas Otterness' Trial Scene.
The Museum is the principal visual arts facility in a region of more than 800,000 residents and millions of tourists. The Museum's neoclassical structure commands a premiere position in the 54 acre Riverside Park, along the scenic Indian River and serves more than 75,000 residents and visitors annually through exhibitions, collections, gallery tours, studio and classroom art and humanities education for youth and adults, cinema, community events, lectures, seminars, concerts, special youth events, and cultural celebrations.
772-231-0707 | www.vbmuseum.org

[Dunedin] Dunedin Fine Art Center
For over 30 years, the Dunedin Fine Art Center (DFAC) has been offering exciting art opportunities in a most welcoming kind of way. St. Petersburg Times writer Lennie Bennett says that DFAC is "the artistic equivalent of a village square," offering quality experiences to people of all ages. DFAC offers year-round exhibitions in four galleries featuring national, regional and local artists. Classes for students four years to 94 years fill seven studio classrooms and a changing yearly theme makes the David L. Mason Children's Art Museum a hands-on experience not to be missed.
Visitors can take some time to enjoy a delicious lunch or gourmet coffee in the Palm Cafe, or search out one-of-a-kind gifts in the Gallery Gift Shop.
727-298-DFAC | www.dfac.org

[Miami] Historical Museum of Southern Florida
Through June 1, 2008, the Historical Museum of Southern Florida will highlight more than 200 pieces of North American native arts through three exhibitions: Native Arts of the Northwest Coast: The Paul and Joan Gluck Collection, Seminole Arts from Florida Collections and First Arrivals: The Miami Circle, which will be part of the permanent exhibition.
Museum visitors will have an opportunity to view a stunning array of Native American art forms, from the spectacular totem poles and ritual masks of the Northwest Coast to the finely crafted patchwork, and baskets of the Seminoles. In addition mysterious artifacts of the Tequestas, who lived at the mouth of the Miami River hundreds of years ago are also highlighted.
These three exhibitions will be accompanied by a variety of educational programs, including free Family Fun Days on Second Saturdays, and panel discussions on third Thursdays.
305-375-1492 | www.hmsf.org

[Ocala} Appleton Museum of Art
Initially built to display and preserve the collection of the late Arthur I. Appleton, today's Appleton Museum of Art has grown into one of the South's premier art repositories and education centers.
The 65,000-square-foot museum features large galleries, arranged around an interior courtyard, which house eight permanent wide-ranging collections including African American, pre-Columbian, European, and Contemporary art. The Appleton also has a two-story, 4,000-square-foot gallery for special exhibitions.
Current exhibitions include Silver Springs: The Underwater World of Bruce Mozert through May 11 and John Kingerlee: Recent Works through March 30. The Underwater World showcases four decades of pioneering work promoting what was once Florida's number one tourist attraction. The Appleton is the only Florida venue exhibiting Recent Works which features the Irish artist's abstract landscapes, collages and grids. Upcoming exhibitions include The Sixth District: Congressional Art Show (April 1-22) and the 2008 Appleton Biennial (June 14-August 17).
352-291-4455| www.appletonmuseum.org continued on page 72
Art aficionados don't have to limit themselves to galleries! Florida is renowned for its cultural offerings and features some of the world's finest performance halls and cultural events!

Asolo Repertory Theatre
Asolo Rep is Florida's premiere professional theatre and one of only four rotating repertory theatres in the country. Performing up to four plays per weekend, Asolo Rep offers a unique experience for visitors-Rep Weekends. Rep Weekends offer an in-depth, dynamic theatrical experience that shines a spotlight on recurring themes in our plays and highlights the flexibility of our actors in their multiple roles. Visitors will enjoy backstage tours, seminars with our creative team, narrated set changeovers, special meal and accommodation packages, and, of course, Asolo Rep's wonderful shows!
941-351-8000 | 800-361-8388 | www.asolo.org

The Florida Ballet is first and foremost a company of professional dancers. The repertoire is innovative and unique, featuring Ballet dancers who are equally proficient in classic and contemporary ballets. The Company's slogan "Watch The Body Talk" describes the communication between the dancers and audience. In addition to the performance series at the Florida Theatre, the Company can also be seen in area schools and community centers.
904-353-7518 | www.floridaballet.org

Florida Grand Opera, which is currently celebrating its 67th season, stands as one of the oldest performing arts organizations in Florida. In addition to producing standard repertoire, the Opera also presents lesser known operas, as well as commissions and produces new operas.
800-741-1010 | www.fgo.org

Sarasota Opera, based in Florida's beautiful Gulf Coast, is currently celebrating its 49th season. Since 1983, the company has been under the artistic leadership of Victor DeRenzi.
The Sarasota Opera House is now in the final stages of a multi-million dollar renovation and restoration. The project is designed to restore the historic 1926 theater to its original glory, while creating a venue for opera for the 21st century. Decorative details have been restored, seating has been replaced, and the orchestra pit enlarged to allow for an expansion of the repertoire.
888-OPERA-12 | 941-366-8450 | www.sarasotaopera.org