APPLETON MUSEUM OF ART

The Appleton Museum of Art at College of Central Florida is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with free and tickets events from Sept. 15 to Oct. 8.

OCALA, Fla. — If you’ve taken a cool photo on your phone, now is your chance to shine. The Appleton Museum of Art and the College of Central Florida are hosting a photography contest for people to submit up to two photos. Artists of all ages can participate in the eighth annual Mobile Photography Contest and Exhibition with a creative photo taken on a mobile device or tablet. Read: Orlando Museum of Art parts ways with CEO following raid of Basquiat exhibitThere is no fee to enter the contest and all levels of experience are welcome. For more information on how to enter the contest, click here.

No crowds on Monday as Ocala gyms reopen with capacity limits and added attention to sanitation. On Monday, gyms across much of Florida could reopen at 50% capacity and with strict cleaning and social distancing protocols. DeSantis ordered gyms closed on March 20. He also said museums and libraries could open at 50% capacity at the discretion of local governments. The Appleton Museum of Art, which is under the governance of the College of Central Florida and the CF Foundation, also remains closed.

The Appleton Museum of Art is considered one of the nations most prestigious fine arts facilities. The Appleton Museum of Art will offer free admission to its First Saturdays at the Appleton for the rest of the year. The event was always free for children. The College of Central Floridas Appleton Museum of Art is Ocala and Marion Countys arts gem and community-centric educational and creative hub, said Jason Steuber, Appleton director, in a news release. The Appleton was built to house the extensive art collection of Arthur I. Appleton, businessman and founder of Bridlewood Farm in Ocala.

There will be no residential collection for sanitation, yard waste or recycling routes today or Jan. 1. Residential sanitation collection regularly scheduled for today and Thursday will experience a one-day delay. Residential sanitation collection regularly scheduled for Jan. 1 and 2 will experience a one-day delay. Waste Pro recycling collection for City of Ocala residents regularly scheduled for today and Thursday will experience a one-day delay. For more information, contact the City of Ocala Residential Sanitation Department at 351-6697.

Annual 'Applaud the Arts' event, held this year at the Appleton Museum of Art in Ocala, launched the cultural season. Applaud the Arts is one of the Marion Cultural Alliances three signature events each year, said Lisa Seiffer, chairwoman. MCA could not possibly support our local artists and arts organizations without the generosity of the people who attended, she said. Thirteen nonprofit arts organizations received grants totaling $30,000. In addition, as part of its advocacy mission, the MCA honored three people for contributions to local arts education, vision and service.

Second Sunday Garden Tour: 1 p.m., Silver Springs State Park, 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Silver Springs. Lunch offered 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.Book sale: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Fort McCoy Public Library, 14660 NE County Road 315, Fort McCoy. Marion County Children's Alliance Family Violence Prevention Workgroup: 11 a.m., Marion County Sheriff's Office Emergency Operations Center, 629 NW 30th Ave. Ocala Civic Theatre Golden Troupers: 1-3 p.m., Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala open to all age 55 and older. Marion County Historical Commission: 6 p.m., Marion County Growth Services classroom, Planning and Zoning, 2710 E. Silver Springs Blvd.

Appleton fundraiser feastThe Appleton Museum of Art will host a special fundraiser dinner called the Feast Under the Stars on Nov. 16. Through Oct. 10, the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County is sponsoring a social media contest that will benefit one nonprofit with a $1,000 cash prize. A video has been posted to the Community Foundation Facebook page www.facebook.com/OcalaFoundation to explain the details of the competition, dubbed "One Passion at a Time," including how nonprofits can be entered. The cash prize is courtesy of two anonymous Community Foundation donors. The cost is $60, and students must RSVP by Oct 14.

The Appleton Museum of Art has a new director to replace Cindi Morrison, who retired in June after serving six years at one of the nations most prestigious fine arts facilities. He also served as an assistant curator of Chinese Art at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. I am honored to become part of the College of Central Florida and Appleton Museum team, Steuber said, according to the press release. Florida State University funded the Appleton, located on East Silver Springs Boulevard, from 1990 to 2004. That led college officials, museum supporters and legislative leaders to work on a deal that allowed CF to take over the museum.

Senior menuThese meals will be provided by Marion Senior Services, 1101 SW 20th Court, Ocala. Lunch delivered by Meals on Wheels and served at congregate sites; dinner at Marion Senior Services. Free admission to paid exhibits is available to all active-duty U.S. military and up to five family members. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Call 291-4455 or visit appletonmuseum.org.