Art & Display

Across 15 locations, Orange County Library System features exhibitions from local, national and international artists. These exhibitions provide a platform for artists of diverse talents and mediums while simultaneously offering culturally enriching experiences to library visitors. The library also maintains an informative exhibit area on the second floor of Orlando Public Library. This space features illuminating and interactive exhibits curated by OCLS staff.

Current Exhibitions

Photograph of the entry archway to Eatonville, Florida. Reads: The Town That Freedom Built. Oldest Incorporated African American Municipality in America.

The Town That Freedom Built – A Photography Exhibition

Orlando Public Library, Melrose Gallery
On display July-October 31

This striking exhibition captures the spirit, history, and enduring contributions of the Eatonville community, celebrating its role as a cornerstone of African American Heritage.

The Town that Freedom Built honors the vibrant cultural legacy of Eatonville, one of the first self-governing all-black municipalities in the United States. This exhibition is presented in collaboration with the Eatonville History Preservation Project, organized by the Eatonville Library, eSTEAMED Learning, Inc., and Lisa G. Moore.

Attend the gallery opening at the Melrose Center on Thursday, July 10 at 4 p.m.

Photograph by Zaira Campos. Black and white photo of a young Black person sitting in a barbers chair receiving a haircut.

Photography by Zaira Campos

Eatonville Branch
On display through September

Zaira Campos is a Black queer disabled photographer raised in Orlando, Florida. Her work centers community, joy, and passion, capturing moments of quiet strength, tenderness, and resilience often overlooked. Her art is a reflection of lived experience, rooted in storytelling, shaped by identity, and driven by a desire to hold space for truth. Displaying her work at an Orange County Library feels like a full circle moment, sharing pieces of her journey in the city that helped shape her.

Meet Zaira Campos at Eatonville Branch on Saturday, August 16 at 1 p.m.

Painting by Gary Clark. Scene shows a Sunrail train passing by a park with people sitting on benches.

My Florida! Paintings by Gary Clark

Southwest Branch
On display through September

Gary Clark, an Orlando native now residing in Maitland, is a retired entrepreneur and lifelong artist. His artworks have been displayed in galleries throughout the United States.

Scenes of Italy

Orlando Public Library
On display through September

Sam Michelle channels emotion through many artistic forms. Her current collection captures the essence of Italy through dreamlike landscapes and architectural impressions. Each piece serves as both a memory and a celebration of creative freedom, inviting viewers on an Italian journey.

Circular color wheel paintings mounted on a wall for display.

Jewel Collection and the Wanderlust Series

Orlando Public Library
On display through September

Shree Chauhan creates vibrant works inspired by nature, emotion, and her identity as a queer Desi woman. This series use color as a language of joy and remembrance. Her pieces invite viewers to slow down, look closer, and feel deeply.