Frank Lloyd Wright expert to speak in Ocala

Wayne Wood [Photo courtesy College of Central Florida]

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, invites the community for an art-filled day on June 7 during Free First Saturday, featuring a special presentation on Frank Lloyd Wright.

The Appleton is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. Admission will be free on June 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and visitors can explore the permanent collection, special exhibitions and do hands-on activities in the Artspace. At 2 p.m., author and historian Wayne Wood will present “Frank Lloyd Wright and His Influence on Florida Architecture.”

Wood’s program will give the audience an in-depth understanding of Wright’s influence on Florida’s architectural history. Widely regarded as one of the foremost chroniclers of Northeast Florida history, Wood has been called the “undisputed godfather of preservation in Jacksonville.” An author, historian and artist, he founded Riverside Avondale Preservation and Riverside Arts Market. He has published 15 books about Northeast Florida, according to the news release.

The Dancing Empanada food truck will be on site and CAMPUS USA and the Humane Society of Marion County will offer information at partner tables. This Free First Saturday is supported in part by CAMPUS USA Credit Union, the Marion Cultural Alliance and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Special exhibitions that may be seen during Free First Saturday include “What If Eye: Fifty Years of Exploration with Ummarid ‘Tony’ Eitharong,” sponsored by Fine Arts for Ocala (FAFO), as well as “Strength and Resilience: Works by Carmen Rojas Ginés and Naomi Shanti.” This will be the last weekend to see “Framing Tokyo: Joel Bustamante’s Architectural Photography,” on view in the museum’s Balcony Gallery for Florida Artists.

To learn more, go to appletonmuseum.org

Frank Lloyd Wright has influenced Florida’s architectural history. [Photo courtesy College of Central Florida]