Add some culture to your Florida vacation

Even if you’re not a regular museum goer, these two exhibits are not to be missed! At the Boca Raton Museum of Art, a short drive from Fort Lauderdale or South Beach, the power of nature is unleashed with two timely exhibitions: Maren Hassinger: Tree of Knowledge and Clifford Ross: Waves. These original shows (on view November 5th – March 1st) will kick off the museum’s 70th anniversary season.

The museum is presenting these terrific exhibitions together because they’re both about environmental awareness, also reminding viewers that the beauty of nature can still inspire us, despite society’s obsession with screens and hand-held devices.

The Clifford Ross exhibit features a new approach to his monumental depictions of ocean waves. Ross dramatically presents the monstrous power of the seas at a crucial moment in time for our planet: The United Nations recently issued a new report warning that the dangerous effects of climate change on our oceans is much worse than previously thought. Sea levels are rising faster than predicted; glaciers and ice sheets are melting more rapidly, shrinking the fisheries that feed millions. The new report also warns that many cities around the world will experience annual flooding events by 2050 that previously occurred only once per century.

“When I first began photographing these hurricane waves 30 years ago, most of us were unaware that global warming was seriously damaging our oceans,” said Clifford Ross. “Now, as I look back on my work, it takes on a whole new meaning.”

Renowned sculptor and performance artist Maren Hassinger was commissioned by the museum to explore the staying power of nearby Pearl City, Boca Raton’s historic African-American neighborhood. The largest installation in Hassinger’s long and celebrated career, this site-specific work is based on Pearl City’s landmark, the “Tree of Knowledge,” a majestic 100-year-old banyan tree still stands today, protected by the Historic Preservation laws. The tree has served the people of Pearl City since the dawn of the 20th century as a gathering place for sharing stories and communal spirit.

Hold on to that communal spirit and reflect on the powerful ocean as you head back to the beach!

Recent Posts