Free Admission at Orlando Museum of Art Oct. 15 including Special Florida Wildlife Programming

The Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) is opening its doors for free admission on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. as part of its monthly Access for All program.

The Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) today announces its October Access for All event, opening its doors with free museum admission on Thursday, October 15, from 10 am to 8 pm.

The monthly program, made possible through support from the Art Bridges Foundation, is part of OMA's ongoing effort to make art accessible to every visitor, regardless of cost. Guests are invited to spend the day in the galleries, take part in family-friendly programming, and connect with original works from OMA's collection and current exhibitions.

“Access for All reflects our core commitment to enriching our community by offering a space where families can disconnect from daily distractions and truly engage with art,” said Cathryn Mattson, CEO of OMA. “Through our partnership with the Art Bridges Foundation, we welcome all guests to explore our galleries, spark new passions, and gain a deeper appreciation for our local history and culture.”

The October 15 Access for All schedule includes:

• 11:00 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Collective Love by Kelly Joy Ladd

  This exhibition spreads the love by offering guests the chance to write a love note to themselves and add the word “love” to a communal sphere. Participants will leave with greater self-gratitude after sharing positive energy during this collaborative experience. 

• 12:00 - 1:00 p.m | Art Sandwiched In 

  Protecting Florida’s Water, Wildlife & Wild Places: Join Conservation Florida for an engaging introduction to the organization’s mission to protect Florida’s water, wildlife, and wild places. Through stories and examples from real land-protection projects, Chad Crawford and Kristin Anderson will explore the many forms conservation can take, why protecting Florida’s natural spaces matters to our ecosystems, economy, and communities, and the partnerships that make this work possible. The program will be presented by Conservation Storyteller Chad Crawford, an award-winning filmmaker and creator of the Emmy-winning series How to Do Florida, and Programs & Community Engagement Lead Kristin Anderson, a lifelong nature enthusiast with a background in Florida ecology and urban ecological restoration.

• 1:30, 3 p.m. & 5:30 | Discussion: KT Bryden, Executive Producer and Film Director, Wildpath

  1:30 p.m. The Little Brown Bird film

  3 p.m. Florida Bear Tracks film

  5:30 p.m. The Path of the Panther

• 2:30 & 3:30 p.m. | Gallery Talk

  Museum-goers can join the museum curator for an informal exploration of the galleries. This month’s topic is Floridiana: Material Culture from the Sunshine State. Participants will discover the stories behind nostalgic objects, quirky collectibles, and iconic imagery that reveal how Florida’s identity has been shaped through tourism, memory and cultural traditions. 2:30 p.m. for the English tour and 3:30 p.m. for the Spanish tour.

• 5:00-7:00 p.m | Sketching in the Galleries 

  Drawing and sketching supplies will be available for artists of all ages. Museum goers can enjoy an evening at the museum and be inspired by artwork in the galleries.

• 7:00 p.m | Highlights Tour

  This docent-led tour provides opportunities for meaningful conversations with your entire family. Follow along with a docent as they take you from gallery to gallery, highlighting various works. 

Visitors will have the opportunity to view the recently unveiled exhibition, The Wild Path, by National Geographic conservation photographer Carlton Ward Jr. Featuring 70 striking photographs, the exhibition captures the natural beauty of native Florida, inviting viewers to pause and appreciate the state’s wild landscapes and animals. Additional highlights include Hello Sophie!: The Artwork of Sophie Blackall, which showcases original illustrations from more than 50 of Blackall’s celebrated children’s books, and Floridiana: Material Culture from the Sunshine State, featuring items shaped by Florida’s tourism and fantasy. There will also be educational activities and resources provided by the Fish and Wildlife Commission, Wildpath, and Conservation Florida.

“As an eighth-generation Floridian, Carlton Ward Jr.’s work offers a deeper appreciation for our state's wild spaces,” said Coralie Claeysen-Gleyzon, chief curator at OMA. “Alongside Floridiana and Hello Sophie!, these exhibitions offer visitors of all ages a chance to connect with different cultures and rediscover the world through a lens of wonder.”

In addition to free admission and extended hours, Access for All day will include guided tours and engaging gallery activities, giving visitors the chance to connect with art in a meaningful and lasting way. Everyone is invited to join and experience the beauty and inspiration of art in a welcoming environment.

For more information about the event and OMA's exhibitions and programs, please visit www.omart.org.

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