The Thomas Center Galleries announce the fall opening of AQUIFERious, an expansive exhibition to be presented in the Historic Thomas Center’s Main and Mezzanine galleries from Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015 to Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016. The opening reception for the exhibition is Thursday, Oct. 1 from 5:30-7 p.m.
AQUIFERious is curated by Margaret Ross Tolbert, and is based on her award-winning book of the same title. A multi-media art experience in the truest sense, the exhibition will juxtapose Tolbert’s dramatic, large-scale springs paintings and eloquent poetry with contributing artists’ and scientists’ photographs, videos, cartography and writings. Featured will be the underwater photography by Jill Heinerth, Mark Long and Tom Morris, and cave maps by Eric Hutcheson.
Among the most remarkable natural wonders of the Sunshine State is the seldom-seen, underground Floridan aquifer system, a 100,000 square mile life force that reaches into neighboring states and feeds more than 1,000 freshwater springs throughout Florida. AQUIFERious is intended to give the audience a greater understanding and appreciation of Florida’s subterranean water system, while celebrating its extraordinary beauty and that of the fragile springs that arise from the system’s depths.
Over the course of the exhibition, the Thomas Center Galleries will present a number of programs and opportunities for discussion about the springs, and how they serve as a rich platform to connect art and science.
The opening reception of AQUIFERious will be followed by a music concert inspired by the land and waters of Florida and beyond, performed by Patchwork, an award-winning, five-piece female folk/bluegrass that is a favorite of Florida festivals. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. The reception and concert are free and open to the public.
Striking images from the exhibition can be viewed at https://www.flickr.com/gp/
The Thomas Center Galleries are located at 302 NE Sixth Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday from 1-4 p.m. The galleries are closed for observed holidays. For additional gallery information, please contact Russell Etling, cultural affairs manager, at 352-393-8532 or visit www.gvlculturalaffairs.org
