Art & History Together North Orlando

Yes, Art & History together north Orlando. Three new exhibits just opened at the fabulous Art & History Museums – Maitland.  Just minutes away from our Central Florida Bed & Breakfast Thurston House , you can  hop in your car or take a short stroll over there. Yes, Art & History together here in Central Florida!

Exhibit #1 – The Maitland Art Center continues to honor the legacy of founder Andre Smith by bringing back the Artist-In-Residence Program. The first artist who has spent 6 weeks living and working on the grounds is Josette Urso. She worked primarily in the gardens making oil paintings, watercolors and drawings.

Exhibit #2 – Heavy Metal – No, not music but abstract arrangements of painted metal and found remains, innovative works by Rocky Bridges.

Exhibit #3 – Family Ties – No, not the TV show! With this interactive exhibition you can learn how to trace your own ancestry while you explore the history of Maitland’s founding families.

Such a unique and wonderful facility, a place where you could easily spend a few hours just enjoying the gardens and gallery. There is even an outdoor chapel and courtyard with wonderful Mayan themed artwork. Don’t forget about the fabulous gift shop too!

Remember, that is Art & History together, here in beautiful Maitland Central Florida!

 

 

 

Andre Smith, Art & Maitland History

Thurston House is just minutes from a most fascinating complex of buildings and gardens – The Maitland Art Center.

“A Day in the Life of the Research Studio”

June 8, 2012 – Sept. 19, 2012

André Smith (1880 – 1959) founded the Research Studio (now called the A&H’s Maitland Art Center) in 1937. He first invited artists to live and create within its walls in January 1938. These artists were called “Bok Fellows,” after Smith’s great patron, Mary Curtis Bok. From (1938 – 1959), nearly 70 individuals participated in this great experiment, including Milton Avery, Doris Lee, Ralston Crawford, and more. What was their day-to-day life like? Using artworks and recently-donated color photography as documentation, the exhibition will recreate the atmosphere of that classic period.

 Maitland Art Center Galleries
231 W. Packwood Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751
Tuesday – Sunday, 11 am – 4 pm

 And don’t miss the history museum next door –


Maitland’s Legacies: Creativity & Innovation

New permanent exhibit

 The story of Maitland’s legacies united all of the Art & History Museums – Maitland, and extends beyond local geography, mirroring many American communities. The important individuals and families that made up these legacies include the Waterhouse family, the Galloway family, André Smith, and many others, including the Dommerichs, the Hills, and many more.

 What united these people that founded our institutions? These pioneers were creative, innovative, entrepreneurial, and visionary. They came to this new, verdant place and made opportunities for themselves and others. Drawn from a variety of social classes, they built both culture and community. Using archival photographs, artifacts, and documents, the exhibition will explore these stories as they relate to the economic, technological, and social aspects of the American experience. There is even a little section for Thurston House!

 Maitland Historical Museum
221 W. Packwood Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751
Thursday – Sunday 12p.m. – 4p.m.

 Both the Maitland Art Center and the Historical Museum are a short drive or a pleasant stroll from Thurston House, North Orlando’s finest bed & breakfast accommodation!

Art & History – Maitland – Central Florida

With a MissionStatement like this –

“We engage the public by educating, collecting, preserving, interpreting, exhibiting, and promoting art and history reflective of the American experience inspired by Maitland’s heritage and the legacy of André Smith’s Research Studio.

Through our multidisciplinary collections, unique architectural environment, and inspirational programming, we stimulate thought, spark the imagination, enrich the spirit, and foster appreciation in art, historical research, and preservation.”…..

you can be assured this organization – Art & History – Maitland – is truly something special.

The organization boasts 5 museums, everything from an 1884 Carpentry Shop & Waterhouse Residence, a Mayan themed Artist Colony, to an Antique Telephone Museum and much more. Ongoing art and history exhibits fascinate and delight the senses. Culture & Cocktail programs offer another unique view of what this organization is about. Couldn’t you use a bit of CULTURE right now?

All museums are a short stroll or drive from Thurston House, North Orlando’s finest bed & breakfast accommodation.

Special Event Venues in Central Florida

Thurston House yard overlooking Lake Eulalia

Thurston House Bed & Breakfast in Maitland is a beautiful place, but alas we cannot host special events. That’s OK, because it means that our fabulous setting amid 8 lakefront acres will be a quiet oasis for your getaway. 

Just minutes away from us there are five inspirational venues for your celebration or meeting . At the Maitland Art Center you find – The Chapel & Mayan Courtyard, The Main Garden, and The Germaine Marvel Building. At Lake Lily you find – The Cottage at Lake Lily and The Waterhouse Residence Museum Lawn. They all have unique characteristics, and I am sure one will be absolutely perfect for your needs! Contact Lauren Murphy to discuss your needs and plan your event – lauren@artandhistory.org or #407-539-2181 ext. 253.

Then, don’t forget to book your room or rooms at our Central Florida Bed & Breakfast, Thurston House!

A Chickering at Maitland B&B!

Thurston House front parlour morning

The front parlour of Thurston House, our North Orlando Bed & Breakfast, is home to a beautiful 1858 Chickering Square Grand Piano. The Smithsonian Institution considers this exact model piano to be of such historical significance to include it in the museum’s “Piano 300” Exhibition now on display in Washington, D. C.
The Square Piano was the mainstay of the American home during the latter half of the 19th century, and the Chickering Company was at the very forefront of innovation at the time. Superior action design and the first patented use of the full iron frame provide this piece with tone quality and repetition speed unrivaled by most other manufacturers of this period. Brahms, Liszt, Strauss, and Tchaikovski were still composing in 1858, when this piano rolled out of Chickering’s Boston factory. Such Romantic era music can be faithfully reproduced on this period piano, and the cabinet beautifully reflects the early Victorian style.

Beautiful gold colored iron work inside the Chickering

On loan from the Art & History Museums – Maitland, this beautiful piano graces the area of the front parlour polygonal bay windows. In the morning, subdued sunlight comes through the elegant lace curtains, making the entire room glow softly. Bed & breakfast guests appreciate the beauty of the rosewood case, and the interior decorative gold colored iron castings. This piano is quite fitting for our circa 1885 home!

Art & History in Central Florida!

The Maitland Art & History Association just launched a brand new website! This new site better reflects their mission to the community of Maitland North Orlando after they merged the Maitland Art Center and the Maitland Historical Society several months ago. Check out their facilities, including several museum buildings, and plan your visit to this wonderful area. Be sure to check the list of current events and even classes that are offered periodically. You can even hold a special event, such as a wedding or baby shower, at one of the organizations several venues. And they are all just minutes from our Central Florida B&B, Thurston House!

What’s Happening with Maitland History Exhibits?

All the Maitland Historical Museums are open for tours Thursdays-Sundays from Noon-4 p.m. Closed major holidays. Nearby to Thurston House B&B, are the Maitland Historical Museum and Telephone Museum, & The Waterhouse Residence Museum and Carpentry Shop Museum.

Exhibiting now at the Maitland Historical Museum in Central Florida –

Maitland on the Move

The Maitland Historical Museum’s permanent exhibition Maitland on the Move features highlights of Maitland through the years in a timeline format. Visitors can learn about the Timucuan Indians, examine the days of the early citrus groves, check out milestones in the City’s history, celebrate the Maitland Little League and more! Exhibit sponsored by Progress Energy and Mercantile Bank.

 Be Prepared: Boys Scouts of America

January 22 – April 10, 2011

This exhibition pays tribute to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members.  Since 1910, more than 110 million Americans have been members of the BSA.  The BSA goal is to train youth in responsible citizenship, character development, and self-reliance through participation in a wide range of outdoor activities, educational programs, and, at older age levels, career-oriented programs in partnership with community organizations.

Maitlands’ 125th Celebration Begins!

Join us for the Opening of our next exhibition  Friday, July 16th

 
2010 marks a special year for the City of Maitland, Central Florida, the 125th anniversary of its incorporation and the 40th anniversary for the Maitland Art Center and the Historical Museums to serve the community as public institutions. In the late 1800s Lake Maitland was a small town, which included a few families, citrus crops, and a handful of businesses. Maitland has come a long way since then but what makes it special is it “continues to carry with it the dreams and visions of hardworking vibrant citizenry while maintaining its picturesque setting amid cypress and lakes.”Leslie Kemp Poole, Images of America: Maitland

July 16th “Maitland’s Founding Families” and Opening Reception

Temporary exhibition opens in the ‘We Make History’ community gallery at Maitland Historical Museum. This museum is just minutes from Thurston House bed & breakfast.

 Keep tuned for more about this exciting week of festivities!!!

Exhibition Opening at the Maitland Historical Museum!

History of Fashion: A to Z

“History of Fashion: A to Z, is the latest exhibition to open at the Maitland Historical Museum. The exibit is based on a book written by society member Sue Dyer, and will include an alphabet sampling of fashion. The opening reception is tonight! Author Sue Dyer will also speak April 28th at noon at the Cottage at Lake Lily. Call 407-644-2451 with questions or to RSVP.

This great museum is just a few minutes from Central Florida’s premier bed & breakfast, Thurston House!