Special holiday exhibit may be seen through Jan.11

Nutcrackers are shown on display in the “A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition” at the Appleton Museum of Art in Ocala in 2024. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

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Posted November 3, 2025 | Staff report

Twinkling lights, themed trees and timeless holiday charm — that is the “A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition,” which will be on view at the Appleton Museum of Art from Nov. 1–Jan. 11.

Joyce Urban’s love of Christmas began when she was a child in Philadelphia. Every year she would go see the elaborate decorations at department stores along the path she walked to see Santa. This wonder of Christmas has stayed with her through the years. She began publicly displaying her collection in 1989 because she wanted to provide a place for children of all ages to experience what she did as a child. Over the years, her Christmas Tour has raised money for many local charities including Harvest International, Interfaith, Pilot Club, Women’s Pregnancy Center and the Counseling Resource Center where she worked as a counselor. In 2012, she opened Urban Counseling, the news release noted.

The family of Dr. Paul and Joyce Urban is honored to share a portion of their Christmas collection with the Appleton each holiday season. Visitors can enjoy beautifully decorated themed trees, the Dickens Village, an extensive nutcracker collection, handmade Santas from around the world and more. With new arrangements and details each year, the display offers something fresh for returning visitors to discover.

Adorning the first and second-floor galleries are trees decorated by community groups and organizations. This year’s participants include Alta Printing, Appleton Artspace, Art Approach, Arts in Health Ocala Metro, Better Together, Bridge to Hope, CAMPUS USA Credit Union, College Park Elementary, Crazy Foods, East Marion Elementary, El Bell’s Flower Truck, Hands Up Communications with LN Signs and Greater Marion County Association of the Deaf (GMCAD), Hiers-Baxley – Highland Memorial Park, North Central Florida Media Group, The LILAC Foundation and Urban Counseling, according to the release.

Regular admission fees apply to visit. Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month.

The annual Holiday Community Day is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 6, during which admission is free. Visitors can see the Urban exhibit, along with additional holiday displays, special exhibitions and hands-on crafts in the Artspace.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., guests can enjoy Face Painting by Tonya and Sensational Selfies will capture photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Each guest will receive one free printed photo and a texted image.

At 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., the auditorium will feature holiday performances by Devotions Dance Company.

Throughout the day, The Donut Express, Poppy’s Dogs and the Brew Hope coffee truck will be on-site with food and beverages for purchase, as well as El Bell’s Flower Truck and the Humane Society of Marion County.

For more information, call (352) 291-4455 or go to appletonmuseum.org