A&H - Art & History Museums Maitland

Stories in Stone: A Walking Tour of the Maitland Art Center
2025-10-23 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-11-01 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-11-13 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-11-15 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-12-06 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-12-11 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-12-20 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Art & History Museums – Maitland, 231 W. Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL, 32751, United States
Step behind the gates of the Maitland Art Center and into a world shaped by vision, imagination, and legacy.
This one-hour guided tour takes you through the gardens and courtyards of a campus like no other—founded in the 1930s by American artist and architect J. André Smith as a haven for modern experimentation and creative freedom.
Click here to reserve your tickets>>
Experience the Tour
As your guide leads you through the campus, you’ll trace the story of Smith’s life—from his childhood in Hong Kong to his service in World War I to the founding of the Maitland Art Center, which he called “Espero,” a Spanish word for hope. These experiences—and his Episcopal faith—influenced the extraordinary design of the campus: a blend of Mayan Revival architecture with embedded Christian symbolism and East Asian motifs. The result is a surreal, immersive environment—at once spiritual, exotic, and modern—where over 2,500 carvings, sculptures, and reliefs adorn nearly every surface.
Along the way, you’ll learn about the community of artists who lived and worked here between the 1930s and 1950s—names like Milton Avery, Ralston Crawford, and Doris Lee—and how this hidden Florida enclave became one of the state’s most forward-thinking creative centers.

Included with the Tour

Maitland Art Center Gallery
Maitland History Museum
Telephone Museum

Tickets

$4-$6 (includes 3 museums & grounds)
Free for members
Suitable for all ages; reccomended for ages 13+

Click here to reserve your tickets>>

Last Wednesday at A&H
2025-10-29 17:30 - 20:00 | Art & History Museums – Maitland, 231 W. Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL, 32751, United States
Enjoy free gallery admission, grab a drink from our cash bar, and discover the beauty of our main garden after hours every Last Wednesday of the month. Jumpstart conversations with free tours of our current gallery exhibitions by our Chief Curator or a free lecture by a visiting expert in art or history every month from 6-7pm! Find your creative community every Last Wednesday at the Art & History Museums of Maitland.
Click here to reserve your spot>>

This program is supported by the Rotary Club of of Orange County East – Winter Park.

Free Gallery Tour
2025-10-29 18:00 - 19:00 | Art & History Museums – Maitland, 231 W. Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL, 32751, United States
Get your FREE tickets here >>
This A&H curator-guided gallery tour offers a deep dive into the current exhibition Pangarap: Espero Reimagined, from its conception through creation to the decisions that determine its presentation. We’ll begin the evening with a 45-minute tour led by our Chief Curator Dan L. Hess followed by conversation with complimentary food for the rest of the evening! Bring a friend, a date, or come by yourself to make new friends who share your interest in the arts.
For more information about our current exhibition Pangarap: Espero Reimagined :
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.
This evening event is presented during our monthly Last Wednesday hours, when we open our gallery free of charge with a cash bar from 5:30-8pm. Learn more here.

First Saturdays Open Studios
2025-11-01 11:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-06 11:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-03 11:00 - 16:00 | Art & History Museums – Maitland, 231 W. Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL, 32751, United States
Connect with our Studio Resident Artists and see what pieces they’re currently working on!
On the first Saturday of every month from 11am–4pm, all of our Studio Artists will open their doors and welcome you into their creative spaces. This is your chance to connect directly with the artists, explore their works-in-progress, and ask questions about their practice.
Bonus: Enjoy FREE admission to our museums on these days!
This new program comes directly from your feedback asking for more predictable opportunities to engage with our artists and community.
Grab your FREE tickets here!
Plus, receive a 10% discount when you sign up for a membership during First Saturday events!

Cyanotype Printing
2025-11-02 11:00 - 13:00 | Maitland Art Center Studio 10, 210 W. Packwood Ave., Maitland, FL, 32751, United States
Instructor: Abbey Kish
Location: Maitland Art Center Studio 10
Cost: $50 + $15 material fees
Materials fees must be paid in cash directly to the instructor, and are due on the day of the workshop.
Cyanotype printing is the earliest form of photographic printing invented in the 1800’s. Using a simple chemical solution & sunlight, cyanotypes are a brilliant blue where light hits and white where the light is obscured. Enjoy a bit of the magic, science, history, and art in creating these beautiful blueprints. We will be printing on paper but cyanotypes can also be printed on fabric if you wish to bring a cotton/linen t-shirt, tote bag, or other such items. You may also bring items for printing such as jewelry, trinkets, small toys, or anything with an interesting silhouette.
Register Here!

Bookbinding: Japanese Stitching
2025-11-08 11:00 - 14:00 | The Cottage at Lake Lily, 701 Lake Lily Dr., Maitland, FL, 32751, United States
Instructor: Ryan Price
Location: Cottage at Lake Lily
Cost: $80 + $20 material fees
Materials fees must be paid in cash directly to the instructor, and are due on the day of the workshop.
Participants will learn how to make a Japanese-style book. They will learn how to organize the materials needed for the sketch book by sizing the paper and making the cover. The instructor will also be demonstrating how to thread the needle and how to stitch the pattern on an example book. After the demonstration, participants will practice their own stitching on computer paper before proceeding to work on their own books. Learn about Japanese stitching for bookbinding, and leave with your own handmade sketchbook or journal! Open to all levels!
Register Here!

Silk Painted Scarves Galore
2025-11-11 10:00 - 15:30 | The Cottage at Lake Lily, 701 Lake Lily Dr., Maitland, FL, 32751, United States
Instructor: Peggy Wertheim
Location: Cottage at Lake Lily
Cost: $125 + $30 material fee
Materials fees must be paid in cash directly to the instructor, and are due on the day of the workshop.
Discover, create, and explore the exciting techniques of Silk Painting. Everyone is successful! No experience necessary. Designs Provided. Students will learn resist application, color blending and salt techniques. You will create a Long Silk Scarf as a wearable or wall hanging. Design ideas and an extensive handout packet for you. Fun, easy, creative art form! A $30 materials fee is paid directly to the teaching artist on the day of the workshop.
Register Here!

Drawing a Surrealist Dreamscape
2025-11-11 18:00 - 21:00 | Maitland Art Center Studio 10, 210 W. Packwood Ave., Maitland, FL, 32751, United States
Instructor: Gisela Romero
Location: Maitland Art Center Studio 10
Cost: $80 + Supply List
Join us for a captivating 3-hour workshop open to all skill levels, where you’ll explore essential drawing techniques to create imaginative surrealist artworks. Dive into the captivating world of surrealism as you examine iconic artists like Salvador Dalí and Remedios Varo, gaining insight into how they transformed dreams into visual art.
Through playful methods like Exquisite Corpse and automatic drawing, you’ll unleash your creativity while learning to merge bizarre elements, such as a clock with wings or figures morphing into flowers, into your pieces. Guided exercises will inspire you to develop your personal surrealist landscape, focusing on combining elements, manipulating scale, and exploring unconventional textures and colors.
By the end of our time together, you’ll leave with your own surrealist masterpiece and newfound skills to continue your artistic journey. Come ready to unleash your imagination and create unique artwork!
Register Here!

A Taste of Marbling on Paper and Glass Baubles
2025-11-12 10:00 - 13:00 | The Cottage at Lake Lily, 701 Lake Lily Dr., Maitland, FL, 32751, United States
Instructor: Peggy Wertheim
Location: Cottage at Lake Lily
Cost: $110 + $30 material fee
Materials fees must be paid in cash directly to the instructor, and are due on the day of the workshop.
Marbling will inspire you with instant gratification and success! Peggy teaches Traditional Marbling using acrylic paints floating on carrageenan. You will create several 9”x12” marbled papers and also four Marbled Glass Baubles/Ornaments. A $30 materials fee is paid directly to the teaching artist the day of the workshop. Bring your love of art & your curiosity – everything else is included.
Register Here!

Autumn Reflections in Watercolors
2025-11-13 18:00 - 20:30 | The Cottage at Lake Lily, 701 Lake Lily Dr., Maitland, FL, 32751, United States
Instructor: Jami Akins
Location: Cottage at Lake Lily
Cost: $150 + Supply list
Thursday, November 13 and 20 | This is a 2-day workshop
Join us for an enchanting two-day watercolor class, perfectly timed for the beautiful fall season! We embark on a creative journey to paint a vibrant forest alive with the warm golds, fiery reds, and deep oranges that define this magical time of year.
As we gather around, you’ll learn how to translate the breathtaking colors of fall onto paper. We will explore a variety of techniques designed to help you blend colors seamlessly, create stunning contrasts of light and shadow, and master the art of soft reflections on a serene lake. With each stroke of your brush, you’ll not only bring the picturesque landscape to life but also deepen your understanding of watercolor as a medium.
We’ll begin with a light sketch of shapes to set up the drawing, use masking fluid to block out white spaces, and then work on layering paint to create our landscape. This class caters to everyone—from curious beginners who have never picked up a brush to seasoned artists looking to refine their skills. You will leave with a beautiful piece of art that embodies the spirit of fall, along with newfound techniques that will inspire your future creations. Let’s celebrate the beauty of nature together and harness the joy of painting this autumn!
Register Here!

Homeschool Day at A&H: Architecture Tour & Printmaking Workshop
2025-11-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Art & History Museums – Maitland, 231 W. Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL, 32751, United States
For more information & to Register:
Click Here!
Spark a lifelong love of art and history when you step into the past with the Art & History Museums of Maitland! Explore our National Historic Landmark campus, delve into Victorian architecture at the Waterhouse Residence Museum, and discover communication technology at our Telephone Museum. After each tour, students will enjoy hands-on art workshops, including printmaking, outdoor sketching, 3D sculpture crafting, and architecture design. Join us just 15 minutes from downtown Orlando for a creative learning experience for your entire family!
If you have any questions about our Homeschool Day, please feel free to contact our education team at education@artandhistory.org.

Fall Studio Show 2025
2025-11-14 18:30 - 20:30 | Art & History Museums – Maitland, 231 W. Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL, 32751, United States
Join us for a cozy, FREE celebratory evening filled with local art, live music, and creative inspiration in our gardens.
Get your FREE tickets here >>
A Cozy Evening in the Garden
Enjoy the lush, beautiful surroundings while you relax with friends, family, or even new acquaintances from the creative community. Our Main Garden will come alive with live music by Shine, setting the perfect mood for a laid-back evening.

Explore our Art Studios

Discover our Artist’s-in-Action’s latest works
One-on-one chats with artists and instructors
Shop for unique gifts and handmade art in the museum store

Bring your own picnic food and blankets, or simply enjoy the atmosphere with a drink in hand:

Cash bar with beer, wine, and mixed drinks
Lawn seating and open space to relax and connect

With a cash bar offering beer, wine, and mixed drinks, you’re welcome to bring your own picnic foods and blankets, making our studio show the perfect opportunity to unwind, mingle, and experience the vibrant artistic energy of Central Florida.
Whether you’re planning a romantic date night, a creative family outing, or just hoping to meet fellow art lovers, this free fall event has something for everyone.

This is our gift to the community—and we can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Get your FREE tickets here >>

A&H Book Club
2025-11-16 15:00 - 17:00 | Art & History Museums – Maitland, 231 W. Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL, 32751, United States
Make new friends at the A&H Members-Only Book Club! Join A&H Director of Development Jessi VanPelt every other month to share your opinions on fascinating topics in the realms of art and history on our beautiful campus. At the end of each meeting, we’ll vote on what book to read together next. We will meet in Studio 10.
November’s Book: TBD
Book Club meetings are just $5 (which includes refreshments). Space is limited so you must register in advance.
This event is for A&H members only. If you’re not a current A&H member, you must join or renew before Book Club date.
Register now >>
If you have any questions or need to verify your membership status, contact Jessi at jvanpelt@artandhistory.org.

Creating a Pop Art Portrait
2025-11-18 18:00 - 21:00 | Maitland Art Center Studio 10, 210 W. Packwood Ave., Maitland, FL, 32751, United States
Instructor: Gisela Romero
Location: Maitland Art Center Studio 10
Cost: $80 + Supply List
Have you ever wanted to make your own unique Pop Art? Join us for a vibrant 3-hour workshop designed for art enthusiasts of all skill levels! Explore the captivating realm of pop art and draw inspiration from legendary artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.
In this beginner-friendly session, you’ll learn essential drawing techniques such as creating bold outlines, applying flat colors, and mastering the iconic Ben-Day dot patterns. Making it easy for everyone to participate. This is not just a class; it’s an opportunity to unleash your creativity, express yourself, and connect with fellow art lovers. Whether you’re looking to enhance your artistic skills or simply have fun, this workshop is the perfect way to dive into the exciting world of pop art! Come ready to create and be inspired!
Register Here!

Little Creatives & Me
2025-11-19 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-12-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Art & History Museums – Maitland, 231 W. Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL, 32751, United States
Songs, stories and art time, especially for babies and toddlers and their very special person.
Join us in the main garden on the historic grounds of the Art & History Museums. We’ll have a themed circle and story time plus an art activity especially for littles! A snack will be provided too. Recommend age: under 3, and their very special person (parent, grandparent, caregiver). Older siblings are always welcome!
Space is limited and registration will close 2 days before the program date. Pre-registration is required >> email Jcohen@artandhistory.org
Please arrive about 5 minutes early to give yourself time to park and walk over to the main garden. We will begin promptly at 10 am. If you’d like, please bring a picnic blanket for your family.
This program is brought to you free of charge by the Art & History Museums of Maitland.
2024-25 Free Family Programs at A&H are generously supported by a grant from Duke Energy Foundation.

Free Winter Family Day
2025-12-06 10:00 - 13:00 | Art & History Museums – Maitland, 231 W. Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL, 32751, United States
For More Information and To Register:
Register Here!
Bring your whole family to welcome a new season at our Winter Family Day, including a winter-themed Family Art Workshop!
A&H’s Maitland Art Center was originally built in 1937 as an artists’ colony and named the Research Studio. Our founder, artist J. Andre’ Smith, had a dream that all artists creating in this space would experiment with art, and we can’t think of a more fun way to celebrate winter then by sculpting our own mini winter wonderlands on our National Historic Landmark Campus!
As the new season unfolds, the fall days, touched by less sunlight, wake up new colors in nature! When the green in leaves begins to fade, new colors like red, yellow, orange and fuchsias are revealed! The warm glow of sunlight and rich palette of colors make for a truly beautiful season!

Winter Family Day is free of charge and sponsored by Massey Services. 2025-26 Free Family Programs at A&H are generously supported by a grant from Duke Energy Foundation.

Intro to Digital Painting for Adults
2025-12-06 10:00 - 13:00 | Maitland Art Center Studio 10, 210 W. Packwood Ave., Maitland, FL, 32751, United States
Instructor: Ynon Mabat
Location: Maitland Art Center Studio 10
Cost: $140
Unleash your creativity in our exciting introductory workshop! Whether you’re a passionate artist looking to expand your repertoire or a curious beginner eager to dive into a new art form, this engaging session is perfect for you. In just one afternoon, you’ll explore foundational concepts and essential techniques that will open up a world of possibilities in this medium. Imagine experimenting with colors, textures, and shapes as you discover the magic of this art form.
Designed for everyone, this workshop invites those with experience in drawing, painting, and collaging to elevate their skills while also welcoming individuals who might feel a bit unsure about their drawing abilities. You’ll be guided through fun activities that encourage personal expression, inspire creativity, and build confidence. By the end of the session, you’ll have a better grasp of how to add this dynamic medium to your artistic toolbox. And if you find yourself hungry for more, we offer an exciting 6-week class in digital painting for those ready to take their skills to the next level! All the necessary equipment will be provided. Students will be using a free version of the Sketchbook App. Class size is limited to 4 people.
For more information, please email mabatart@gmail.com
Register Here!

Art Journaling
2025-12-07 11:00 - 13:00 | Maitland Art Center Studio 10, 210 W. Packwood Ave., Maitland, FL, 32751, United States
Instructor: Abbey Kish
Location: Maitland Art Center Studio 10
Cost: $40 + $10 material fees
Materials fees must be paid in cash directly to the instructor, and are due on the day of the workshop.
Art journaling is great for stress relief and healing. It is a way of creatively expressing your emotions on the page with no rules or expectations. In this class, a wide variety of expressive materials will be provided, and you will be guided through a reflective art journaling activity. At the end of the workshop, we will share our creations & discuss them as a group. All levels of experience are encouraged. You may bring your journal/sketchbook if you have one; otherwise, paper will be provided.
Register Here!

Stories in Stone: A Walking Tour of the Maitland Art Center
2026-01-03 10:00 - 11:00 | Art & History Museums – Maitland, 231 W. Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL, 32751, United States
Step behind the gates of the Maitland Art Center and into a world shaped by vision, imagination, and legacy.
This one-hour guided tour takes you through the gardens and courtyards of a campus like no other—founded in the 1930s by American artist and architect J. André Smith as a haven for modern experimentation and creative freedom.
Click here to reserve your tickets>>
Experience the Tour
As your guide leads you through the campus, you’ll trace the story of Smith’s life—from his childhood in Hong Kong to his service in World War I to the founding of the Maitland Art Center, which he called “Espero,” a Spanish word for hope. These experiences—and his Episcopal faith—influenced the extraordinary design of the campus: a blend of Mayan Revival architecture with embedded Christian symbolism and East Asian motifs. The result is a surreal, immersive environment—at once spiritual, exotic, and modern—where over 2,500 carvings, sculptures, and reliefs adorn nearly every surface.
Along the way, you’ll learn about the community of artists who lived and worked here between the 1930s and 1950s—names like Milton Avery, Ralston Crawford, and Doris Lee—and how this hidden Florida enclave became one of the state’s most forward-thinking creative centers.

Included with the Tour

Maitland Art Center Gallery
Maitland History Museum
Telephone Museum

Tickets

$4-$6 (includes 3 museums & grounds)
Free for members
Suitable for all ages; recommended for ages 13+

Click here to reserve your tickets>>

Homeschool Day at the Waterhouse Residence and Carpentry Shop Museums
2026-01-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Art & History Museums – Maitland, 231 W. Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL, 32751, United States

Bloom in Abstraction
2026-01-10 09:30 - 12:00 | The Cottage at Lake Lily, 701 Lake Lily Dr., Maitland, FL, 32751, United States
Instructor: Monica Diaz
Location: Cottage at Lake Lily
Cost: $75 + $10 material fees
Materials fees must be paid in cash directly to the instructor, and are due on the day of the workshop.
Perfect for beginners and seasoned artists alike, this workshop dives into techniques for transforming vibrant blooms into stunning works of abstract art.

You will learn how to simplify the essence of flowers into dynamic shapes and bold colors.

By the end of the session, you’ll walk away with your very own abstract floral masterpiece and the confidence to let your imagination guide your art. All materials will be provided—just bring your enthusiasm!
Register Here!
