Art & History Museums of Maitland (A&H) is a destination like no other in Central Florida. You can explore our beautiful campus and museum attractions for free with your library card through the Local Wanderer program.
HISTORY
A&H’s Maitland Art Center campus was founded as an artist colony in 1937 by visionary artist and architect Jules André Smith, and originally called the Research Studio. Over 65 notable artists lived and created experimental art in the studios on campus until Smith passed away in 1959. The Art Center’s gallery was the third art gallery in all of Florida, and the first in Florida to show modern art. The Maitland Art Center is now the only National Historic Landmark in greater Orlando, awarded in 2014 for its history and its striking Mayan Revival architecture. It features over 2,500 sculptures and murals throughout – inspired by nature, myths and world religions – almost all carved or painted by André Smith throughout his 22 years on campus.
VISITING
Open year-round except for Mondays and holidays, A&H is located less than 15 minutes from downtown Orlando. Check out the gallery with contemporary exhibitions changing quarterly; the History Museum featuring the permanent exhibition Maitland’s Attic: A Journey Through A Small City’s Past – highlighting five pivotal points in local history; and the Telephone Museum with working antique phones and switchboards. Maitland’s Attic begins with the history of the First Peoples of Florida, details Maitland’s ties with neighboring Eatonville, outlines the start of the Art Center, and ends with an interactive jaunt into the 1970s – with plenty of everyday to weird objects in between. You can also explore the courtyards, gardens, lily pond, and outdoor chapel, all adorned with sculptures and murals. You may encounter resident and visiting artists working in their studios while you are wandering, just as when the Art Center was founded!
ART EXHIBITIONS
In July, the Maitland Art Center gallery will feature an homage to Que Throm and Cicero Greathouse, who both played key roles in growing the arts in Central Florida. A Bright Light from the Embers will be a window onto the life and love they shared, and the deep affection they each had for the Maitland Art Center – shown through their art, letters, personal artifacts, and the memories of those who knew them best. Following in October, Man & Machine – a solo exhibition by resident artist Mauro Wieser – will explore the complicated relationship between humanity and technology.
GET MORE INVOLVED
A&H also offers many free and low-cost programs outside of regular museum visits. From Free Family Days, to Last Wednesday evening hours with Artist Talks or Curator Tours, and weekly historic architecture tours, there is something for every interest and age. There are quarterly sessions of Art School for adults, offering instruction in many mediums including ceramics, painting, and bookmaking – all in an inspirational setting. There are also opportunities for children to experience the benefits of art, such as school field trips and Girl Scout badge activities. Learn more at artandhistory.org.
Visit ocls.info/wander or check out your passes today!
