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This beloved collection adorns the first floor of the museum with themed trees and other holiday decor from the collection of Ocala cardiologist Dr. Paul Urban, his wife, Joyce, and daughters, Katie, Kristie, Kassie and Karlie. In addition to ornately decorated trees, see the architecture, customs and history of Victorian England come alive in the popular miniature Dickens Village. Also on display, an extensive collection of nutcrackers from all around the world features handmade Byers’ Choice caroler dolls.

On the second floor, see trees decorated by community groups and organizations. Participating organizations include: Agapanthus Ocala; Appleton Artspace; Association of �������� Colleges CF Chapter; CF Student Activities Board; NOMA Gallery; Ocala Civic Theatre; TJM Promos; and Urban Family Counseling.

On Saturday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., the annual Urban Family Community Day event offers free admission to enjoy the permanent collection and special exhibitions, including “A Dickens Christmas” and “Alphonse Mucha: Master of Art Nouveau,” and holiday crafts in the Artspace. From 1-4 p.m., take photos with Santa. Food trucks will be onsite throughout the day.

Looking for the perfect holiday gift? An Appleton membership is truly the gift that gives all year. Multiple membership levels are available to fit the needs of every individual, couple or family. Visit AppletonMuseum.org for membership details. You can also visit the Appleton Store any time with no admission fee to find unique gifts for all ages including artist-made and vintage jewelry, art books and activities for adults and children, holiday home decor and more.

About the Urban Family Collection

Joyce Urban’s love of Christmas began when she was a child in the city of Philadelphia. Every year she would go see the elaborate decorations at the department stores that were set up along the path she walked as she went to see Santa. This wonder of Christmas has stayed with her through the years. She began publicly displaying her collection in 1989 because she wanted to provide a place for children of all ages to experience the holiday magic she enjoyed as a child. Over the years her Christmas Tour has raised money for many local charities including Harvest International, Interfaith, Pilot Club, Women’s Pregnancy Center and the Counseling Resource Center where she once worked as a counselor. In 2012 Joyce opened Urban Counseling where she continues her legacy of helping others.

The Appleton Museum, Artspace and store are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. A campus of the ��������, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). Parking is free. For more information, call 352-291-4455 or visit

�������� artist Susan Martin’s photorealistic canvasses explore the botanical world by concentrating on small portions of plant life. Her explorations, in exquisite detail, are influenced by the photographs of Russell Lee, of whom she was a protégé. Lee’s lasting influence can be observed in her sharp, clean examination of the subject, her preference for strong contrast that reveals surface quality and detail, and an emphasis on composition that comes from years of work in black and white.

Martin, who works out of her home studio on south Merritt Island, was raised in Texas. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from the University of Texas at Austin, and then continued coursework in art education and art history. A significant part of her educational experience was the opportunity to study photography and composition under the eminent photographer Russell Lee.

Early in her career, the artist turned to acrylics in her quest for the clean edges that a quick drying medium can deliver, adding depth of color through multiple layers of paint. Her work developed “super-real” characteristics, creating an image beyond the scope of the camera.

Upcoming Event with the Artist

Artist’s Outlook Online Talk

Thursday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m.

Join Curator of Exhibitions Patricia Tomlinson and Martin for a free talk on Zoom to discuss the artist’s work, inspirations and more.

Meeting ID: 302 190 0088 │Passcode: 352352

The Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. A campus of the ��������, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). Parking is free. For more information, call 352-291-4455 or visit

In honor of United States military veterans, visit from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11, with no admission fee. Special exhibitions on view will include “Alphonse Mucha: Master of Art Nouveau,” “Heart of the Horse: Photographs by Juliet van Otteren,” and “A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family Holiday Exhibition.” Visitors can also enjoy self-guided artmaking and activity stations in the Artspace.

Additionally, military veterans enjoy free admission year-round at the Appleton by showing an ID or discharge papers.

The Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. A campus of the ��������, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). Parking is free. For more information, call 352-291-4455 or visit

“After a year with virtual exhibitions, unexpected closures, and many uncertainties, the VAS artists return with an exhibition that allows us to see how they have come through the pandemic,” said Tyrus Clutter, Visual Arts faculty at CF. “We have all been changed in some way, and this exhibition will give us a peek at the best works these artists have produced during these tumultuous months.”

The exhibit will be judged by Marcella Martin who is a sculptor, watercolorist and rocket scientist. She has exhibited in Stockholm, Sweden; San Diego, California; and now ��������. She has a signature membership with the San Diego Watercolor Society.

“Best of the Season” is one of two VAS exhibitions each year and has always been an important and exciting part of the Webber series of exhibits, which showcase a variety of styles and mediums, including more traditional paintings and photographs, as well as jewelry, sculpture and digital media.

VAS has more than 85 members from all over Marion County and Central �������� including professional and amateur artists, and many of CF’s talented students.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The gallery is closed Friday through Sunday and college-observed holidays. There is no fee to visit the gallery. For additional information, call 352-873-5809.

Through the University of ��������’s Finish@UF program, students can start a Patriot and become a Gator!

The partnership provides CF students an accessible and smooth transition via UF Online’s clear, criteria-based admissions process. UF and CF teams work in concert to ensure full and coordinated student support from application, admissions, enrollment, via academic advising and coaching, through to graduation. Since students receive advising support from both CF and UF, they might also find a shorter time to degree completion.

“We are excited to offer this opportunity to our students in Marion, Citrus and Levy counties,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president. “UF has been one of our top transfer universities for many years, and Finish@UF will help expand opportunities for those students who need flexibility to complete their bachelor’s degree. With UF Online, these students will be able to earn the very same UF degree but in a more accessible and agile format.”

CF ranks among the top colleges in the nation for quality, according to the Aspen Institute for Community College Excellence. The University of ��������’s online undergraduate experience, UF Online, is ranked third in the nation for online bachelor’s programs by the U.S. News & World Report in 2021. This online pathway to UF has earned the No. 2 spot in the nation for selectivity, yet provides students a more flexible pathway and format to complete their students and earn their UF degree.

Students will find that the CF and UF Online combination is a highly supportive but also an affordable choice. CF is among the top 1% of colleges in the nation for affordability, and UF Online tuition and fees are the most affordable within the State University System of �������� and ranked No. 1 most affordable online bachelor’s program in the nation by Affordable Colleges Online.

To learn more about CF, visit . To learn more about UF Online, visit .

CF will host virtual information sessions for the Bachelor of Applied Science in Business and Organizational Management program. Sessions will be held Monday, Oct. 18, from noon to 1 p.m., and Wednesday, Nov. 10, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Join advisors, administrators and faculty for informational sessions about the bachelor program, which offers specializations in Accounting, Agribusiness, Equine Studies, Management Information Systems, Health Care Management, Public Safety Administration, and Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Learn about program design, affordability and the admissions process.

For additional information and to register for the events, which will be presented via Zoom, go to www.CF.edu/BusTechEvents. To learn more about CF, visit www.CF.edu.