An exhibit displaying the life and work of artist and educator Gladys Shafran Kashdin is now on display at Ocala’s most prominent art museum.
“Gladys Shafran Kashdin’s Garden of Ideas” is now on display at The Appleton Museum of Art, which is an extension of the College of Central Florida. The exhibit runs through August 23 at the facility, which is located at 4333 E Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala. The exhibition features five paintings and nearly a dozen prints that highlight Kashdin’s opus of expressive art.
Born in Ohio in 1921 and raised during the Great Depression, the artist developed a personal aesthetic that blended the natural world with abstract techniques and mixed media. She earned a Ph.D. in Humanities and Aesthetics and spent a portion of her career teaching at the University of South Florida.
Kashdin’s work often explored depictions of plant life and natural formations, infusing these images with recurring themes of spirituality, mythology, and womanhood.
Beyond her personal creations, she left a significant mark on Florida’s art community through her philanthropy and leadership.
While in Tampa, Kashdin, who passed away in 2014, was a key figure in the creation of the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI).
Locally, she collaborated with Kenneth Colen to form the Ina Gotler-Colen and Gladys Shafran Kashdin Endowed Fund for Florida Artists, which has significantly aided the Appleton Museum in acquiring works by Florida artists.
The Appleton Museum of Art is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Parking is free, and admission is free on the first Saturday of each month.