Appleton Museum of Art — Attraction in Ocala

Note: I called the number below and left a message and was never called back. Guess they weren't that concerned. Just know it is UNSAFE to walk there. For over six years now I've been walking over at the Appleton Museum and the Civic Theater early in the mornings. I see many other people doing the same and we all wave at each other. I was totally shocked this morning when we were accosted by a security guard. And I choose the word accosted carefully because he was incredibly aggressive and incredibly rude and snarky. We were walking across the grass in the parking lot area and he pulled up and told us we weren't allowed to walk through there. So we immediately apologized and said we wouldn't walk on the grass anymore and continued on our way. He then began following us in his vehicle and pulled up beside us again. Telling us we couldn't walk there. I've then questioned we're not allowed to walk on the parking lot and he said no you're not. And I said how do people get from their cars to the building if they don't walk on the parking lot. He then began yelling and got upset. At which point I told my neighbor to walk away and I tried to speak with him very very calmly and explain to him that nobody was giving him a hard time or disrespecting him. When he said we weren't allowed to walk through there we thought he meant the grass. At this point he said only walk on the sidewalks. I told him fine we were happy to only walk on the sidewalk. But there was no need for him to be so upset and yelling and be so aggressive. I explained to him that I was just trying to difuse the situation and that my friend and I would use the sidewalk and leave the property. He got very upset and said that he had not been aggressive and he had not been snarky and screamed at me to get off the property. I told him fine. I began walking towards my friend so that we could use the sidewalks to exit the property. He then came racing around in his vehicle at a very high speed slammed on his brakes, Got Out of His Vehicle and walked very aggressively toward my friend telling her to get off the property and turn around and walk the other way. We responded no we walked in this way we're going back the way we came we're walking on the sidewalk like you told us to. He then began screaming and waving his arms telling us to get off the property that we were walking back up to 40 where we came from. We didn't come from that direction we had a small dog with us we were not walking on 40. So I told him we are leaving. He yelled and screamed and carried on and continue to be aggressive as we walked away then he demanded our IDs and wanted to know our names. We told him to leave us alone and we weren't going to give him anything we were leaving the property. He then got in his car again raced around the other side of the building to watch us as we exited the property. This man was incredibly aggressive! His response was disproportionate to what was going on. And that he would stalk us and drive so dangerously around us is inexcusable. I warn anyone do not walk over there and absolutely do not walk over there alone. It is a shame that this is how the Appleton conducts business but I for one will not ever set foot on their...

Since 2014 I have been able to enjoy walking the beautiful an peaceful grounds that surround the Appleton Museum and Ocala Civic Theater as have many of my neighbors who live close by. I have always felt safe there But that changed as of yesterday morning when my neighbor and I were harassed and threatened by the Appleton's security guard. He pulled into the parking lot as we were crossing the parking lot with my small dog that had just walked across a small portion of the medians by the parking blocks.. In a very terse voice he bellowed that we could not cross here. We apologized and redirected ourselves to the blacktop and continued walking. The security guard started to follow us in his car literally cutting us off and then jumped from his car to stand less than 3 ft from me to berate us, yelling that we were to go to the sidewalk that we could not walk there.. I told the security guard that I had been walking this parking lot for more than 7 yrs and had never had a problem. He informed me very rudly that I could contact the Appletons office to complain but while he was there we could not walk there.. I moved away from him because he was very irrate and was scaring my dog so I headed for the sidewalk while my neighbor tried to speak with the guard explaining that we weren't trying to make him feel disrespected but to follow his request .. I made it to the sidewalk by the fountains and looked back to make sure my neighbor was alright when I noticed the security guard driving recklessly through the parking got and once again jumping from his car to cut me off towering over me he continued yelling that I needed to go to the side walk. I explained I was trying to leave by the sidewalk that I was standing on and that he was harassing us and that he needed to step away from me that I was trying to get to the sidewalk that led back to the Civic theater .. at this point he started pointing towards HWY 40 and saying no that sidewalk .. I informed him I do not walk on silver springs blvd as it is not safe with all the cars and exhaust and with my small dog I didn't want anything to happen and that I was going back to my the way I came as he had told me to do .. at this point there was a worker there as well that had stepped from the side of the building where there are 2 machines close to the building to work on the tiles in the building. I walked towards him trying to get away from the guard. He continued to follow us demanding my ID .. and my name. I once again asked him to stop harassing us that we were leaving.I WILL NEVER AGAIN VISIT THE MUSEUM AND I FIND THIS VERY SAD AS I AM LITERALLY A 5 MIN WALK FROM THERE. And I hope that all of my neighbors realize that this sort of treatment from the security is unacceptable and will no longer visit the museum either. And may I add as well there are NO "no trespassing or dog walking " SIGNS SAYING THAT WE ARE NOT TO WALK ON THE GROUNDS and no signs about dogs being with you either.. and as a responsible dog owner I always carry bags...

World Class Museum Bringing Art to Marion County

We took a day trip to Ocala to visit the Appleton Museum of Art. It was well worth the hour drive to see this outstanding collection of 18,000 objects from the collection of Arthur Appleton. Appleton entered Dartmouth at 16, graduated from the Tuck business school four years later and was a WWII Navy seaman. He took over Appleton Electric from his father and is credited with 161 patents. A worldwide traveler, he began collecting at 17 years of age.

The museum is a campus of the College of Central Florida. Housed on two floors, the museum reflects Appleton's eclectic collection. Art lovers will find something of interest among the varied galleries: Art for the Afterlife; Art of the Ancient World; African Art Gallery; Asian Art; Portraiture; Pre-Columbian; European Art; Maritime Art; Florida Artists; Equine.

We were in awe in many of the galleries but especially African Art; Art for the Afterlife; and Asian Art. Several of the pieces have a QR code to scan; a curator gives a brief talk about the piece pointing out its unique features and notable qualities.

We visited on a Saturday afternoon; there were very few visitors. The museum is Covid compliant: masks must be worn. Unfortunately, the labs (clay, art and artspace) remain closed. However, learning continues with "Teaching Tuesdays" when new instructional online art projects are posted using basic art and craft supplies. These classes are ideal for ages 7-12. All project videos can be found on social media or at the museum website. First Saturdays at the Appleton are free "to enjoy the special exhibitions, permanent collection and our beautiful outdoor Sculpture Garden." Additional outreach programs include Zoom online book clubs and chats with painters. Participation is free and easy. Login details are sent via email.

The museum and gift shop, Appleton Store, is open Tuesday-Saturday: 10-5 and Sunday: noon-5. It is closed on Monday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. Adult admission: $10; Seniors/55+: $8; Youth (6-17): $5; Children under 5: Free; Veterans and Active Military (with ID): Free. We have seen reduced admission prices for veterans but never free admission. Parking is plentiful as are restrooms and seating areas to rest and reflect. The Appleton Museum is...