‘Art on the Up and Up’

Tyrus Clutter’s vinyl in the Appleton lobby, inspired by William-Adolphe Bouguereau’s “The Shepherdess.” [Courtesy of College of Central Florida]

Tyrus Clutter’s vinyl in the Appleton lobby, inspired by Elizabeth Jane Gardner’s “Daphnis and Chloe.” [Courtesy of College of Central Florida]

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, has announced an initiative to bring new perspectives to the museum’s iconic lobby and add opportunities for contemporary artists through the display of dynamic large-scale works of art.

“Art on the Up and Up” is an innovative project series that allows invited Florida artists to develop original artworks that will become oversized vinyl graphics installed in the museum’s lobby, according to the news release.

“You’ll have to look up to see these unique works—the gravity-defying vinyls are secured to the underside of both the eastern and western marble staircases leading to the second-floor galleries,” note the release.

“The museum’s striking travertine façade and reflecting pools have welcomed nearly 2 million visitors since opening in 1987,” said museum director Jason Steuber, in the release. “We’re delighted to present this fresh opportunity to reimagine the lobby and how we engage and welcome visitors, through the installation of contemporary art in unexpected places.”

CF Professor Tyrus Clutter is the inaugural “Art on the Up and Up” featured artist. His vinyls, inspired by William-Adolphe Bouguereau’s “The Shepherdess” and Elizabeth Jane Gardner’s “Daphnis and Chloe,” are on display through the fall. Clutter noted that these two works are frequently chosen by his students for writing assignments when they visit the museum.

“They are iconic images from Arthur I. Appleton’s collection,” Clutter said in the news release. “I think many visitors are often attracted to them on their first visit to the museum and frequent visitors enjoy returning to them again and again.”

The Appleton Museum is at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. To learn more, call (352) 291-4455 or visit AppletonMuseum.org.