Culture worthy of your calendar

Morse Museum for free

More than 30,000 people have visited the Morse Museum in Winter Park since the opening of the magnificent new wing on Feb. 19. The $5 million addition expanded the museum’s exhibition space by 50 percent. Ten new galleries now provide access to the restored Daffodil Terrace from Louis Comfort Tiffany’s celebrated Long Island estate, Laurelton Hall. In addition, 250 art and architectural objects from Laurelton Hall’s dining room, living room and reception area now have a permanent home in the museum. With coverage from the New York Times, Newsday, the Washington Post and Architectural Digest, the opening has been the high point of the year for Central Florida art lovers.

In a gesture to the community, the museum is offering three days of free admission to the Museum and its new Tiffany wing: April 22-24. Call 407-645-5311 or visit www.morsemuseum.org

1934 art comes to life

Beth Marshall is not only the “Head PooBah” of the Orlando Fringe Festival, she is an innovative theater producer throughout Central Florida. One year ago, she began a collaboration with the Mennello Museum that brought Jackson Pollock to life as created by John DiDonna. That collaboration is about to happen once again in a production called “The 1934 Project”, a new work created by Marshall, DiDonna and company. The new work brings together fine art, theater and history based on the Works Progress fine art movement of 1934. The performance will take place inside the museum with actual works of art created in 1934 on the walls.

The Mennello Museum is at 900 E. Princeton St. at Loch Haven Park with the performance set for April 23 at 2:30 p.m. Call 407-246-4278 or visit www.mennellomuseum.com

Artists paint Winter Park

If you see more than the usual number of fine artists painting around Winter Park in the last week of April, it’s because the Third Annual Winter Park Paint Out is under way, courtesy of the Polasek Museum. The Paint Out invites 28 Florida artists to paint their favorite Winter Park scene, capturing landscapes and landmarks with oils, watercolors and pastels. The painting will take place from April 23-30, after which the canvases will be on exhibit from May 1 until May 8 at the Polasek Museum. Artwork produced during the Paint Out is for sale, and a portion of the proceeds support the preservation of the museum and its beautiful gardens.

The Paint Out includes a special fundraising event from 6-9 p.m. on Saturday, April 30. All of the artists will be present, and patrons are able to discuss and purchase their works. Tickets for the Paint Out Party are available through the Polasek Museum ($35 in advance, $50 at the door). Call 407-647-6294 or visit winterparkpaintout.org

Four decades of snake farming!

For 38 years, George Van Horn has owned and operated Reptile World Serpentarium, east of St. Cloud, all the while supplying venom for antivenom and medical research. The Serpentarium houses more than 50 species of snakes from around the world, ranging from the familiar and friendly to the exotic and deadly. As part of a visit, guests have the chance to watch George “milk” several highly dangerous snake species for venom.

On April 21 at 7 p.m., the Orange Audubon Society invites us to a free program to meet George while he tells us about the fascinating snakes he has loved since childhood. Children are welcome. George’s talk will take place at Leu Gardens at 1920 N. Forest Ave. in Orlando. Call 407-637-2525 or visit orangeaudubonfl.org or reptileworldserpentarium.com