��������

The �������� invites the community to savor the sweetness of a family friendly, live musical production of “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka,” on stage April 3-6 at the Dassance Fine Arts Center, 3001 S.W. College Road.

This imaginative student performance captures all the nostalgia of the classic children’s novel and the whimsical tunes of the 1971 film with a fantastical, futuristic steampunk aesthetic. A cast of 30 students will entertain audiences with bold, colorfully adorned costumes, high-energy choreography, daring stunts and enchanting songs.

“The 50 talented students involved in this extraordinary show are having the time of their lives while learning incredible skills,” said Nonalee Davis, �������� assistant professor of theatre and the musical’s director. “We are bringing the wild, mechanical world of the chocolate factory to life, and it’s an engaging, visually captivating experience. Stunts performed by the cast add an extra layer of thrill, while the student tech crew has created intricate mechanical contraptions that make the kinetic energy possible. The result is an unforgettable blending of entertainment and education – in the most exciting way possible.”

The production is a collaboration between �������� theatre, music and dance departments. Dr. Jason Longtin, professor of music, is the show’s music director; dance instructor Justine McDaniel is the choreographer; and Abigail Stallings, assistant professor of digital media, is the costume designer.

Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 3-5, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 6. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for non-�������� students and can be purchased at or by calling 352-873-5810. Tickets are free for �������� students, faculty and staff with valid I.D. For more information about �������� Visual and Performing Arts events, visit ��������.edu/theatre.

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 ��������, its Board of Trustees, or any of their officers, employees, or agents.

The Ira Holmes International Film Series at the �������� 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 �������� Clothing Closet.

“Whether they are preparing for an interview or stepping into a new role, there are �������� students who need our help to dress for success,” said Wendy Adams, �������� Humanities professor and film series director. “The �������� 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 �������� 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 ��������.edu/FilmSeries.

The �������� will host award-winning author David Kirby for reading, discussion and book-signing events on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the �������� 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 �������� Debra Vazquez Memorial Poetry Series, which honors the memory of Professor Debra Vazquez, who taught English, literature and creative writing at �������� 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 ��������.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 �������� Patriot Blues Jazz Ensemble, the �������� Minutemen Brass Ensemble and the �������� Wind Symphony performing original compositions by �������� 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 �������� Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Appleton Museum of Art, ��������, 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 ��������, 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.