Artist to offer talk on Saturday at Silver Springs

“Flora and Fauna,” by Larry Whitler, is part of his art exhibit at Silver Springs State Park. [Submitted]

Many in this area know Larry Whitler as a radio personality and singer/songwriter. But he’s also one heck of an artist.

From 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 8, visitors can participate in a “Meet the Artist Event” with Whitler, hosted by the Friends of Silver Springs State Park. Some of Whitler’s original artworks are on display in the park’s Welcome Center through mid-August.

According to Robin MacBlane, Whitler’s longtime morning drive radio co-host and co-creator of their children’s entity “Robin And The Giant,” he is “looking forward to meeting you!”

“He will be speaking about his art, how his artwork in this exhibition incorporates the theme ‘The Springs,’ and having conversations with you about his artwork. There are 10 pieces of Larry’s original artwork on display that reflect different personalities of some of the waterways and the land that encompass some of our springs around Florida,” MacBlane wrote via email.

Whitler has more than 60 years of artistic expertise in watercolor, oil, pastel, acrylic, charcoal and, most recently, digital art.

Through his art, MacBlane said, he has brought awareness to and raised funds for various entities within the community, such as more than $28,000 for the Marion County Literacy Council. He created a portrait of Marion County Medal of Honor recipient Hammet Bowen Jr., at the request of Hammet Bowen Sr., which now hangs in the Hammet Bowen Jr. Elementary School in Ocala. He was asked to create two portraits for the Ocala Shrine Club to bring awareness of their work with children. He also was asked to create a portrait of the dog Phoenix to raise awareness of the work of the Marion County Humane Society, all “gratis,” per MacBlane.

The Friends of Silver Springs State Park Welcome Center, at 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd., is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, just across from the world-famous glass-bottom boats. There is no charge to view Whitler’s art exhibit in the center. There is, however, a $2 per person fee to enter the state park, which is open 8 a.m. to sundown daily.

For more information, visit larrywhitler.com or thefriendsofsilversprings.org