Not Just Gators Country

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The Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art opened in 1990 and is now one of the largest university art museums in the southeast United States.

Photo Credit: Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art

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The "Wall of Wings" at Florida Museum of Natural History showcases thousands of butterflies.

Photo Credit: Florida Museum of Natural History

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See cinema and live shows at the Hippodrome in Gainesville

Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of the Gainesville VCB

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The annual Gainesville Jazz Fest takes place in lively downtown Gainesville.

Photo Credit: Alachua County Visitor and Convention Bureau

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Downtown Gainesville features bars, clubs, shopping, dining, and the highly acclaimed Hippodrome State Theatre.

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

Discover the culture that permeates the college town of Gainesville.

Gainesville – this Central Florida university town is more than Gator Country. What many don’t realize is that a trip to this part of our state can be a culturally rich experience. From amazing museums to state-of-the-art theaters and plentiful festivals, this town offers an endless array of options for art and culture enthusiasts.

Theaters

Theater fans have plenty of options to choose from in this city that boasts a strong history of supporting the performing arts. Two of the biggest theatrical points of interest in the city are the Hippodrome Theatre and Gainesville Community Playhouse.

Opened in 1972 in a converted convenience store, the Hippodrome Theatre has a rich past that began with producing shows that challenged contemporary theater (more edgy). Over the years, the theater changed locations three times, finally putting down roots in downtown Gainesville in the prominent Federal Building. With main-stage performances, cinema and special programs (outreach and summer camps), the remarkable theater welcomes more than 200,000 people every year.

A 40-year-old annual tradition, the Spring Arts Festival sets the stage for an amazing weekend of dance performances, concerts and, of course, the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind art pieces.

The Gainesville Community Playhouse, founded in 1927 as the Gainesville Little Theater, produces six shows a year and a Christmas holiday special for eager audiences. One of the oldest playhouses in Florida, this innovative theater aims to encourage all generations to enjoy the arts and even has a Facebook page. It is an all-volunteer organization, with people from all walks of life serving on the board of directors, performing and providing technical support for the theater. The current production is "GI Holiday Jukebox," followed by "The Murder Room," "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," "Trip to Bountiful" and "Anything Goes." Audition dates are published on our website in addition to announcements on our Facebook Page.

Museums and Galleries

Museum culture is an important part of life in this town. The Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art and the Florida Museum of Natural History are both affiliated with the University of Florida and are two very popular draws.

Located on the University of Florida campus, the Florida Museum of Natural History is a major attraction for children and their families. Permanent exhibitions about Florida fossils to butterfly rainforests and intriguing temporary exhibitions keep residents and visitors coming back for more. And every summer, the venue offers educational and exciting kids’ classes and summer camps. This year, be sure to catch "Florida Cowboys: Keepers of the Last Frontier," Photographs by Carlton Ward (Feb. 12–May 8), "Florida Cattle Ranching: Five Centuries of Traditions" (Feb. 12–May 8) and "Wild Music: Sounds and Songs of Life" (May 28-Sept. 4).

“Not only are we the official state museum for natural history, we make an effort to present a lot of public programming and events for families throughout the year,” explained Paul Ramey, Florida Museum of Natural History spokesperson, of the facility’s impact in Gainesville.

Traditional and contemporary art lovers will without a doubt enjoy the 86,800-square-foot Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art. Opened in 1990, this venue combines a permanent collection and exhibition area with an auditorium, classrooms and gift shop. A dedication to providing cultural enrichment to the lives of everyone in Gainesville drives the museum’s mission.

This year, you can enjoy numerous exhibitions here, including "Africa Interweave: Textile Diasporas" (Feb 8-May 8), "Faces and Figures: Highlights from the Photography Collection" (through July 3), "Refraction: Contemporary Art from the Harn Collection" (through Aug. 7), "Alchemy: From Dust to Form" (March 1-Sept. 11), "Mind’s Eye: 50 Years of Photographs" by Jerry Uelsmann (June 7-Sept. 11).

Festivals

Every year, Gainesville plays host to a variety of festivals dedicated to food, culture and the arts. Two of the biggest are the Spring Arts Festival and Downtown Festival & Art Show.

Santa Fe College hosts the Spring Arts Festival, recently voted Best Arts & Crafts Festival by Florida Monthly, in March/April every year (next on April 9-10). The event welcomes up to 120,000 visitors every year. A 42-year-old annual tradition, it sets the stage for an amazing weekend of dance performances, concerts and, of course, the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind art pieces.

The Downtown Festival & Arts Show is sponsored annually by the City of Gainesville Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. This year, you can enjoy the event on Nov. 12 and 13 in the historic downtown Gainesville district. With the festival featuring 25 fine artists, a free children’s hands-on art activity area and three stages of entertainment, this event is sure to have something for everyone. And for musical lovers, there’s an added bonus this year: kicking off the arts festival is the Downtown Blues Concert at 7 p.m. Friday night. The 2011 show will be the 30th annual event.

And More ...

Murals adorn walls throughout the city in a vibrant splash of artistic inspiration. Along 13th Street, West University Avenue and 34th Street, one can enjoy 17 themed murals with inspirations ranging from football to wildlife. For those who prefer to enjoy art unexposed to the elements in a more intimate setting, the Thomas Center Galleries (located in a Mediterranean Revival-style former hotel amidst the Thomas Center Gardens) and Santa Fe Galleries (located on the Santa Fe Community College campus) offer a traditional gallery experience.

For more information on planning a trip to Gainesville, call 866-778-5002 or visit www.visitgainesville.com.