Central – Section 1.5: Inland Inspiration & Coastal Creativity
The Appleton Museum of Art in Ocala offers a striking blend of classical architecture and world-class art collections in the heart of Central Florida.
Continue north of Orlando to Ocala/Marion County’s Appleton Museum of Art, home to a permanent collection of over 24,000 objects representing cultures from around the globe, an outdoor sculpture walk and gardens and a variety of visiting exhibitions and special events throughout the year. Or take in a performance at the Reilly Arts Center—home of the Ocala Symphony—and the Ocala Civic Theatre, a community mainstay for 70+ years.
The Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art in Daytona Beach houses the world’s largest collection of Florida-themed art—celebrating the state’s rich landscapes and history. Photo courtesy of Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
In Central Florida’s northeast area, an impressive collection of visual arts displays awaits at the CiCi and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art in Daytona Beach, boasting the largest collection of Florida-themed art in the world. This sunny, sandy part of the state is also home to the Smithsonian-affiliated Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS) along with a host of indoor and outdoor galleries, performing arts venues and special events showcasing music and artisan crafts.
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South of Daytona on Florida’s Space Coast, Melbourne has one of the state’s most vibrant arts scenes, with theatrical performances, galleries and museums filling its downtown areas—chief among them the historic Eau Gallie Arts District, home to the Historic Rossetter House Museum and Gardens and a band shell for live performances. Eau Gallie galleries display unique fine art pieces, crafts and sculpture while visitors will be mesmerized by the murals depicting people, animals and abstract shapes.
A burst of color and creativity in the Eau Gallie Arts District—Melbourne’s vibrant hub for murals, galleries, and local culture. Photo courtesy of Emergent Media.
Farther south along the Atlantic coast, downtown Fort Pierce is home to the A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery. Famous for his vivid Florida landscapes, Backus also taught and mentored the group of entrepreneurial African American artists who became known as the Florida Highwaymen; today the museum is home to the state’s only permanent multimedia exhibition on the Highwaymen.