Appleton Museum Current Exhibition

There’s always something new to discover at the Appleton. Our permanent collection of over 24,000 extraordinary works offers an encyclopedia of cultures and ideas from around the globe in nearly every artistic medium up through today.

February 16, 2024 - March 31, 2026
Ancient Pathways: A Legacy of Trade
The Silk Road wasn’t just one road but a vast network of land and sea trade routes that started around the 2nd century BCE. It connected the far reaches of China with the Mediterranean Sea, stretching over 4,000 miles through challenging terrains like harsh deserts, towering mountains and fertile plains.

May 3, 2025 - March 31, 2026
Romantically Involved: Expressions of Love from the Permanent Collection
“Romantically Involved,” curated by museum intern Caitlin Ulangkaya, draws from the Appleton Museum of Art’s permanent collection of American and European artwork to offer a timeline of passion that spans from the 19th century through today.

June 21, 2025 - January 18, 2026
The Human Pulse: Photographs by John Elliott
“The Human Pulse: Photographs by John Elliott” features 42 black-and-white prints from the Ocala-based photographer’s ongoing series, “The Human Pulse.”

July 5, 2021 - December 31, 2026
Artistic Legacy: The Story of Arthur I. Appleton
Ever wondered where the Appleton Museum of Art got its name, or how the museum found a home in Ocala? Stroll through the history of the Appleton Family and the museum to learn all about Marion County's cultural gem.

August 29, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Deconstructing Self: Work by Seth P. Benzel
Opening in the second-floor Preview Gallery, “Deconstructing Self” is an exploration of identity, transformation and the fragmented nature of the human experience through the lens of abstract painting.

September 6, 2025 - February 22, 2026
Under the Cover of Knowledge: Betty Ford-Smith’s Pinecone Quilts
"Under the Cover of Knowledge" highlights the work of nationally recognized Florida-based artist and quilter Betty Ford-Smith (American, b. 1951), whose hand-sewn Pinecone Quilts transform a traditional bedcover into extraordinary works of art.