Future Nature: The Silent Conversations of Sinuhé Vega Negrin
January - April 13, 2025
Future Nature: The Silent Conversations of Sinuhé Vega Negrin showcases paintings and ceramic sculptures that delve into themes of ecological and human fragility. Inspired by the Dutch Vanitas tradition, Negrin’s new works evoke contemplation on mortality and the pursuit of divine wisdom through earthly reflections. His paintings depict balancing sculptural heads and vessels within lush tropical landscapes, symbolizing humanity’s precarious mental constructs and our disconnection from nature. Negrin’s conversation centers on our future relationship with the natural world, calling for greater ecological awareness and a renewed spiritual connection. These pieces invite viewers to reflect on their role in envisioning a future nature, where the need for a harmonious coexistence with nature is paramount, and where human and ecological resilience are intertwined.
LOSS
April 26 - July 13, 2025
LOSS explores the emotional layers of loss through abstract representation. Viewers can navigate the physical pieces and nuanced lighting, creating a contemplative space to reflect on their own experiences. St. Petersburg-based sculptor Michael Massaro transforms discarded materials, stone, wood, metal, rubber, plastic, and textiles, into contemplative works of art. Through his nonverbal commentary, Massaro explores a world in flux, reflecting on the loss of human rights and environmental stability. By bringing together these disparate, forgotten objects, he creates unexpected reflections on harmony and discord, offering a visual meditation on resilience, renewal, and the stories hidden within what we view as disposable. Massaro was awarded his BFA from the University of Tampa.
A Return to Espero
July 26 - October 5, 2025
A Return to Espero unveils the profound metamorphosis of our founder, J. André Smith, whose near-death experience served as a catalyst for artistic reinvention. This exhibition chronicles the profound personal journey underlying the creation of the avant-garde haven of the Research Studio, known today as the Maitland Art Center. On display for the first time publicly is an intimate collection of personal letters exchanged with his dear friend, philanthropist Mary Curtis Bok, many of which were illustrated by Smith himself. These artifacts along with a wide array of his previously unseen art illuminate themes of resilience, friendship, and the transformative power of artistic expression. Smith and Bok’s correspondence stands as a testament to their shared vision and unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of artistic exploration in Florida.
Pangarap: Espero Reimagined
October 18, 2025 - January 11, 2026
Pangarap: Espero Reimagined transforms The Maitland Art Center gallery into a canvas of speculative storytelling under Filipino artist Isobel Francisco’s guidance. Drawing inspiration from Jules André Smith’s pivotal decision to establish an artist colony in Florida, Francisco envisions an alternate reality where Smith’s path leads instead to 1937 Philippines. Through a collection of fictional artifacts, iconographies, and artworks, the exhibition invites viewers to ponder the intriguing parallels and contrasts between this imagined scenario and the museum’s own rich history. Pangarap, which means dream or vision in Filipino, will offer a compelling alternate reality, inviting audiences to ponder the impact of one artist’s decision on the cultural landscape of 1937 Philippines and beyond.
View Past Exhibitions:
The Silent Conservations of Sinuhé Vegan Negrin
Sinuhé Vegan Negrin
https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=kkRaUV82EyS
Man and Machine
Mauro Wieser
https://discover.matterport.com/space/Rdn4HKJLNh8
A Bright Light from the Embers
Que Throm and Cicero Greathouse
https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=FmLEibgzAmn
The View From Within
Shannon Elyse Curry and Nneka Jones
https://my.matterport.com/models/GJqDXquz37R
A Constant Goodbye: The Table Runner Stories of Gisela Romero
Gisela Romero