A look at Lake Alice on the University of Florida campus Gainesville
A look at Lake Alice on the University of Florida campus
THIS WEEK
‘French Moderns: Monet to Matisse, 1850 – 1950’
The Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida is presenting a major exhibition, “French Moderns: Monet to Matisse, 1850–1950.” The blockbuster exhibition, chosen for display during the Harn’s 35th anniversary, showcases more than 55 paintings, drawings and sculptures from the Brooklyn Museum’s esteemed collection of European art. Ranging widely in scale, subject matter and style, and encompassing the key avant-garde movements that emerged in and around Paris from 1850 to 1950, the works on view were produced by some of the era’s leading artists. The exhibition is on view through Jan. 4. The works of art in French Moderns span the era between the Revolution of 1848 and the conclusion of World War II — a period marked by significant social, intellectual and political upheaval in France. This era saw the emergence of avant-garde artistic movements, including Realism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Symbolism, Fauvism, Cubism and Surrealism, that left a lasting impact on the Western artistic tradition. These key movements are represented in the exhibition through examples by the era’s leading artists, including Pierre Bonnard, Gustave Caillebotte, Paul Cézanne, Marc Chagall, Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Gustave Courbet, Edgar Degas, Édouard Manet, Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, Gabriele Münter, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Auguste Rodin and others. The exhibition is organized into four sections: Landscape, Still Life, Portraits and Figures, and The Nude. Beginning with the landscapes of Corot and the birth of plein-air (outdoor) painting, the exhibition surveys the innovative styles and techniques developed by artists from the Realism of Courbet to the light and atmosphere of Monet and the Impressionists, to the Surrealism of Yves Tanguy. “French Moderns: Monet to Matisse, 1850–1950” is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue including thematic essays and interpretive object entries by the exhibition’s co-curators. For more information, visit harn.ufl.edu/frenchmoderns. Admission is free. The Harn Museum is located at Southwest 34th Street and Hull Road.
Camellia Show
The Kanapaha Botanical Gardens’ annual Camellia Show features prize-winning camellias of all sizes, shapes and colors. This show is designed to educate the public about the care, culture and appreciation of camellias. Regular admission price for non-members includes entry into the gardens and the show. The event is planned for 1-5 p.m. Jan. 3 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 4. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is located at 4700 SW 58th Drive. For more information, visit kanapaha.org.
Flying Pig Parade
The third annual Flying Pig Parade returns to downtown Gainesville from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 3, celebrating all that is wild and wonderful about life in North Central Florida. The free parade begins at Bo Diddley Plaza and travels south along Southeast First Street before looping near the Hippodrome Theatre and concluding at Southeast Second Avenue. A post-parade concert follows at 3 p.m. back at Bo Diddley Plaza, featuring R&B favorites Show Time in honor of what would have been Bo Diddley’s 98th birthday. Bo Diddley Plaza is located at 111 E. University Ave. For more information, visit flyingpigparade.org.
ONGOING
Horse Feeding
The Retirement Home for Horses provides lifetime care to elderly horses seized by law enforcement agencies, rescued by the SPCA or humane societies, as well as horses retired from government service such as police patrol or state and federal parks. They allow visitors to tour the property and feed treats — carrots, apple slices and bananas provided by the visitors — from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday. Mill Creek Farm Retirement Home for Horses is located at 20307 NW CR 235A in Alachua. For more information, or to support the nonprofit, visit millcreekfarm.org.
Community Nights
Community Nights are free weekly events hosted by South Main Station and Heartwood Soundstage that include a rotating calendar of jams, skillshares, concerts, arts markets, food and drink specials, and other activities each Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. The event has grown in popularity with families, locals, musicians, and college students since its launch in 2024. The event takes place at South Main Station, an arts, food, and entertainment campus adjacent to Depot Park that spans the Southeast corner of Main Street and Depot Road. Community Nights always feature free live music and drink specials at Heartwood Soundstage’s lawn bar, but any given week can also include skillshares on music and videography, kids’ activities, film screenings, and opportunities to sample local food and drink at South Main’s businesses, which include Humble Pie Pizzeria, Grand Scheme Brewery, Bingo Deli, and Afternoon Coffee. The first Wednesday of every month always features an open-air arts market of local makers and an old-time music jam. More information is available at heartwoodsoundstage.com.
COMING SOON
‘The Drowning Girls’
Acrosstown Repertory Theatre presents “The Drowning Girls,” a darkly poetic true-crime drama running Jan. 16-Feb. 1. Written by Beth Graham, Charlie Tomlinson and Daniela Vlaskalic and directed by Lola Bond, the play revisits the real Edwardian-era murders committed by George Joseph Smith through the voices of three of his wives — Bessie, Alice and Margaret — who appear as ghostly figures rising from bathtubs to recount the events leading to their deaths. Blending gallows humor with lyrical language and striking imagery, the production examines not only Smith’s crimes but the broader social forces that left the women vulnerable. Performances take place at Acrosstown Repertory Theatre. For tickets and showtimes, visit acrosstown.org/season-202526.
MLK Lecture
Join the Center for Arts, Migration and Entrepreneurship for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. lecture featuring speaker Kathi Earles Ross, MD, Physician and Artist. The lecture will begin at 5 p.m. Jan. 22 at Pugh Hall Ocora, 241 Pugh Hall. For more information, visit linktr.ee/afrofuturismweek.Kick-Off Party and Introduction to AfrofuturismA family friendly celebration and introduction to Afrofuturism Week is set for 5-8 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Santa Fe Blount Center, located at 530 W. University Ave. Attendees wll be able to take part in music, refreshments, a pop-up library, and comic- and print-making workshops. For more information, visit linktr.ee/afrofuturismweek.
Afrofuturism Concert and Cipher
After the AFW Kickoff celebration, head to The How Bazar for an afterparty of innovative music. Pulp Arts will present experimental artists Chris Williams and Black Sun Black Moon, followed by a DJ set from We’re Sweet Girls. Tickets are $10 at the door. The afterparty runs 8-11 p.m. Jan. 24 at How Bazar, located at 60 SW Second St. For more information, visit linktr.ee/afrofuturismweek.
Sci-Fi and Fantasy Book Club Meeting: “Parable of the Sower”Join the Lynx Bookstore from 6 to 7 p.m. Jan. 26 to discuss the graphic novel adaptation of Octavia Butler’s classic dystopian novel “Parable of the Sower.” Books are available at the Lynx bookstore. The Lynx Bookstore is located at 601 S. Main St. For more information, visit linktr.ee/afrofuturismweek.
An Evening of Afrofuture Spirituality: Lecture and Music
Guest scholar and performer Dr. Louise Toppin and Dr. Joseph Brown will lead a discussion exploring the teaching of gospel and Black church music to new audiences, highlighting contemporary spiritual music. Hear their lecture from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 28 at Greater Bethel AME Church, 701 SE 43rd St. For more information, visit linktr.ee/afrofuturismweek.
‘Technoskepticism’ Book Party
Guest scholars will discuss “Technoskepticism: Between Possibility and Refusal,” a book that explores the possibilities and skepticism of new technologies in the context of Afrofuturism, from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 29 at UF Innovate, 747 SW Second Ave., Suite 160. For more information, visit linktr.ee/afrofuturismweek.
Final Celebration, Fashion Show and Costume Contest
Celebrate Afrofuturism Week’s signature Fashion Show event, showcasing mythology, fantasy and cosplay. Also featuring performances, music, AI demos and costume contests, the celebration will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Cade Museum, located at 811 S. Main St. For more information, visit linktr.ee/afrofuturismweek.
Old Florida Celebration of the Arts
The 2026 Old Florida Celebration of the Arts two-day event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 11-12, 2026, in Cedar Key. This year’s theme is “Stars of Cedar Key.” According to organizers, the festival was established in 1964 and was formerly known as the Cedar Key Sidewalk Arts Festival. The Old Florida Celebration of the Arts returned to a juried fine art fair format in 2006. It features 100 artists and about 15,000 visitors annually. This free event benefits the Cedar Key Arts Center in addition to local nonprofit and Cedar Key school groups who serve food and beverages during the festival.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.gainesville.com ’
