Appleton Museum’s free day offers art & film

Appleton Museum of Art; courtesy of Maven photo + film.

On the first Saturday of each month, the Appleton Art Museum hosts a free day of admission to see special exhibitions, permanent collections, and art made in the Artspace.

One of the highlights of the June 1 event is a talk by artist Margaret Ross Tolbert at 11 a.m.

According to Appleton Museum’s website, Tolbert, a Gainesville-based multimedia artist is a well-seasoned traveler and has been particularly drawn to exceptional springs, waterways and caves.

Her exhibit on display, “Water’s Margins” currently at the Appleton brings together a selection of Tolbert’s paintings created following visits and plunges into these waters, including some in Marion, Levy and Citrus counties.

“From large-scale paintings to more intimate works created underwater on pieces of slate, Tolbert uses an array of kaleidoscopic blues and earth tones to express her passion for and understanding of these unique subaquatic environments.”

Tolbert says, “The paradisiacal Springs of North Florida are my paintings’ subject and metaphor. The springs paintings begin on site at the water’s edge and often in the water. I swim in the springs, I sketch underwater; I am inspired to write when I am beside them.”

At 2 p.m., see a free screening of the documentary, “Lost Springs” with a brief intro by filmmaker Matt Keene.

The Donut Express and Brick & Ember food trucks will be on-site from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.