Museums & Galleries

 

Albin Polasek Museum. The former home and studio of world-renowned sculptor Albin Polasek was transformed into a museum in 1961 to exhibit his work. Polasek designed and built the home in 1950 on a moss-hung, oak-treed site on Lake Osceola in Winter Park, where three acres of garden are now populated by his classical-realist statuary.
10 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Sunday  (407)  647-6294.

Maitland Art Center
The center itself is a work and is included in the National Register of Historical Places. Built by Andre Smith, (who is said to haunt the Center) the buildings are built with an Aztec/Mayan motif. The compound is beautiful and is the site of occasional weddings.
The Maitland Art Center serves the area with adult art classes and children’s programs; there’s even living quarters for local artists. On display is a large collection of Smith’s work along with temporory exhibits from local and national artists.
Open weekdays from 10am – 4:30pm; weekends noon- 4:30pm. (407) 539-2181

Cornell Fine Arts Museum
Located on the Rollins College campus, the Cornell Fine Arts Museum features a small collection of 19^th and 20^th century European and American works of art. Pieces include paintings, sculptures and others by such artists as William Merritt Chase, Louis Sonntag, Cosimo Roselli and Childe Hassam. There is no fee for admission.
Open Tuesday – Friday from 10am to 5pm, Saturday & Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. Closed Monday. (407) 646-2526

Charles Mosmer Morse Museum of American Art
The feature of this museum is the work of Louis comfort Tiffany, the master craftsman famous for his stained glass and decorative arts. Huge stained-glass windows and lamps are on display including many pieces built for Tiffany’s Long island, New York mansion. Among those works currently featured are Tiffany's Spring Window and his Four Season's Box. The works of Maxfield Parrish are also featured. The rest of the collection is composed of 19th and 20^th century graphics, paintings and pottery. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for children and students.
Open Tues – Saturday 9:30am – 4pm, Sunday 1pm-4pm, Closed Monday. (407) 645-5324

Orange County Historical Museum
The interesting history of Orlando and Orange County is explored at the Orange County Historical Museum. You can learn about a variety of topics including Seminole and Native American culture, the history of the citrus industry in Florida and other subjects. Artifacts include photos, antiques, a Victorian Parlor and a newspaper press. The most popular part of the Museum is Fire Station No. 3, a fully restored 1926 firehouse. A fleet of antique fire trucks is inside as well as other fire-fighting memorabilia.
Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for children 6-12, kids under 6 free.
Open Mon-Sat, 9am-5pm, Sunday noon-5pm (407) 897-6350

Orlando Museum of Art
This museum features a permanent collection of 19^th and 20^th century American and pre-Columbian art as well as a variety of interesting temporary exhibits. Like most of Orlando, the museum has some very family friendly options including the Art Encounter. Built with help from Disney, this exhibit makes the art in the museum more fun and palatable for kids. They can put on clothes from different lands and participate in other hands-on activities. If you enjoy fine arts, you will not be disappointed.
Admission is $4 for adults, kids 4-11 $2, members and children under 3 free.
Open Tues-Sat 9am – 5pm, Sunday noon-5pm. Closed Monday.

Timothy's Gallery. Features award-winning contemporary American crafts, wearable art and art-related specialty books, plus Florida's most extensive collection of hand-crafted artistic jewelry. Has been named one of the Top 100 Retailers of American Craft two years in a row by the readers of NICHE magazine, the national trade publication for craft retailers. Timothy's Gallery, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday, 212 Park Ave., Winter Park, Free. 629-0707.

Hope Barton Fine Arts. This gallery features etching, monotypes, paintings, fine crafts, pottery, weaving, jewelry and workshops for adults and children. Hope Barton Fine Arts, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 702 W. Montrose, Clermont, Free. (352) 241-4952.