Museum to offer free lectures and admission on Feb. 3

Margaret Ross Tolbert gives a tour to Appleton Museum of Art Director’s Circle members at the opening celebration for “Water’s Margins.” [Courtesy Maven Photo + Film]

On Feb. 3, the Appleton Museum of Art’s February Free First Saturday event will host a special guest. Gainesville-based artist Margaret Ross Tolbert will lead two tours of her solo exhibition, “Water’s Margins,” newly on view at the museum. Visitors can expect to be immersed as the large, first-floor Edith-Marie Gallery is filled with Tolbert’s oversized and hypnotic paintings of Florida’s natural springs.

Over the last four decades, the artist has traveled extensively throughout Florida gaining inspiration for her expressive, sub-aquatic scenes—literally submerging herself in the storied springs, waterways and caves. Many of the locations depicted are right in our own backyards throughout Marion, Citrus and Levy counties, and beyond. From the sand boils of Fern Hammock Springs to the shocking blue of Buford Sink, her depth of inspiration and passion for the subject is clear.

Free First Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tolbert’s tours will meet in the exhibition at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and are free. No reservation is needed to attend.

The Appleton’s monthly Free First Saturday program is sponsored by the Marion Cultural Alliance, National Endowment for the Arts and CAMPUS USA Credit Union.

“Waters Margins: Paintings of Florida’s Springs by Margaret Ross Tolbert” will remain on view through June 2.

To learn more, go to appletonmuseum.org

Margaret Ross Tolbert, “Springs Diptych,” 2005, oil, shellac and mixed media on canvas. [Courtesy Maven Photo + Film]