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This Season’s Exhibitions

 

March 29 – June 22, 2013
Main Gallery
THE QUEST FOR THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
in Florida History, Mythology and Art

Opening Reception: Friday, March 29, 7–10 pm

Commemorating the 500th Anniversary Ponce de Leon’s Landing in Florida over 30 original art works by contemporary Florida artists that will document the history of the Fountain story in Florida and explore interpretations of the significance of the story in their own lives and in the life of our community.

Don't miss THE QUEST FOR THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH companion exhibition at The Doris (716 North Main St.) March 29 – April 23. For more info, go to www.thedoris.org

Fountain of Youth

Fountain of Youth Sue Jester
Sue Jester

The Fountain by Linda Chapman
Linda Chapman


June 28 – September 28, 2013
ARTIFACTS EXQUISITE & EXTRAORDINARY
From the Theatre of Memory Collection
Opening Reception:  Friday, June 28, 5:00-7:00

Inspired by the centuries-old “Cabinet of Curiosities” tradition of eclectic, encyclopedic personal collections that inspire learning and deep thought, this exhibition will feature a diverse range of objects including: ancient Chinese jade, pre-Columbian textiles, medieval sheet music, Victorian letters, natural history specimens and meteors from space.

Randy Batista Artifacts
Randy Battista

October 4 – January 4, 2014
PIECES OF DREAMS

The Art of Lorelei Esser
Opening Reception: Friday, October 4, 5:00-7:00

Created from found objects and a variety of materials, Lorelei Esser’s dramatic sculptures create form from energy that has been dormant, lost or fallen and evolve from her memories of what once was, recollections of sentimental journeys and deep personal attachments.

Lorelei Esser
Lorelei Esser

Mezzanine Gallery Exhibits

January 11 – February 16, 2013
Showcasing Student Art (K-12)
Reception: Thursday, January 17, 6:30–8 pm

Presented by the Alachua County Public Schools Visual Arts Program, this exhibition will feature the work of over 80 budding artists from over twenty-five K through 12 schools.

ACPS Caitlyn Hardcastle
Caityln Hardcastle

February 22 – March 30, 2013
Showcasing Student Art (Secondary)
Reception: Thursday, February 28, 6:30–8 pm
Artworks by Alachua County Public Schools' Secondary School students will be showcased and celebrated on the walls of the Historic Thomas Center.
 

April 5 – May 18, 2013
Showcasing Student Art (Elementary)
Reception: Tuesday, April 9, 6:30–8 pm
Charming student art from Alachua County Public Schools' Elementary Schools will represent the promise of wonderful things to come.
 

May 24 - September 7, 2013
BLUES PIONEERS
and their Progeny

Opening Reception and Concert:
Reception is on Thursday, May 30, 2013 from 6:30-9:30
Willie Green’s performance begins at 7:30 p.m
The event is free and open to the Public

The BLUES PIONEERS and their Progeny exhibition will feature over 40 colorful folk-art style illustrations of many of the 20th century’s giants of the blues, as well as other legendary musicians who whose style was influenced by these trailblazers. Each portrait will be accompanied by a brief description of the musicians’ lives and their significant accomplishments. In addition, viewers will be able to access a representative recording on their smartphones from each of the artists’ musical catalogues via grooveshark.com at: grooveshark.com/bluespioneers

To mark the exhibition’s opening, the Shakerag Culture Center, Inc. is collaborating with Thomas Center Galleries to present singer, guitarist and harmonica player Willie Green in concert. Green is a beloved Delta style bluesman, who now calls Ocala home. He worked as a migrant farm worker from 4th grade to the age of 40 and, before gaining fame as a musician, made a living as a truck driver, pipe layer and lawn maintenance man. He learned the blues in his early teens when he would hitchhike or hop a freight train to hear the old blues masters playing in juke joints in other towns. He is self-taught on both harmonica and guitar. Now a widely respected artist, he has opened shows for John Hammond, Jr. (who calls Green "the real deal"), John Lee Hooker, Jr., James Cotton, and many others including the legendary Eric Clapton.

The BLUES PIONEERS and their Progeny exhibition is presented by the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department with the support of Grooveshark, the Possum County Folk Art Gallery, Randy Batista Photography and the Shakerag Culture Center, Inc.. Willie Green’s exclusive management is Rick Ambrose Productions.

Ty the Portrait Guy
Ty the Portrait Guy