Heroic characters in diamond dust

Now through July 15 – Works by Warhol in Tarpon Springs

Superman and Sitting Bull, Mickey Mouse and Mick Jagger, Donald Duck and Howdy Doody — icons from pop culture by the master of Pop Art, Andy Warhol — fill the galleries of the Leepa-Rattner Museum through July 15. In a building nominated as one of the Top 100 Buildings of Florida Architecture, we can view Warhol’s ongoing fascination with the famous and the infamous. His “Myth series” includes Mata Hari, the Wicked Witch and Santa Claus in images enhanced with diamond dust, while his “Cowboys and Indians series” captures images of Annie Oakley, John Wayne and Geronimo. The exhibit comes to us from the Cochran Collection. The Leepa-Rattner Museum is at 600 Klosterman Road in Tarpon Springs. Call 727-712-5762 or visit spcollege.edu/central/museum

June 16 – Women’s Museum to Host Artists’ Talk

The outstanding exhibit at the Florida Museum for Women Artists will be celebrated with an Artist Talk on Saturday, June 16, at 3 p.m. when all eight of the artists currently on display will discuss their works. The artists present a variety of mediums, social views and personal histories, and the exhibit offers something of distinct interest around every corner. Join Amy Miller (Venice), Carolina Cleere (Tampa), Julia Owens (Sanford), Vivian Spencer (Pensacola), Candace Knapp (Brandon), Barbara Balzer (Tallahassee), Jo Sinclair (St. Augustine) and Jean Banas (New Smyrna Beach) in the only venue in the state of Florida to provide art exclusively by women. Guys are invited to look and listen. The Museum is at 100 N. Woodland Blvd. in DeLand. It’s a great exhibit, highly recommended. Visit FloridaMuseumforWomenArtists.org or call 386-873-2976.

June 17 – Father’s Day at the World Golf Hall of Fame

The World Golf Hall of Fame is giving everyone a unique gift on Dad’s Day with free admission to the museum. In addition, dads receive a free round on the putting course, discounts in the IMAX Theater and a “goodie bag.” The whole family may have a photo op with the U.S. Open Trophy before visiting the Museum’s special exhibit — Bob Hope: Shanks for the Memory. The Bob Hope exhibit features the largest collection of Bob Hope memorabilia ever available on public display celebrating his devotion to the men and women of the military, as well as his lifelong love affair with golf. World Golf Village is located 8 miles north of St. Augustine off Interstate 95 at exit 323. Call 904-940-4123 or visit WorldGolfHallofFame.org

June 19 — Alligator Awareness Class at the Zoo

Welcome to Florida where alligators rule. And if you live on (or near) a natural lake — or even a retention pond — you will see alligators. The Central Florida Zoo has declared that alligator safety is an essential part of living in Florida, so the reptile department at the zoo is offering an educational presentation on alligator safety and awareness for you and your family and your little dog and your little cat and…. The presentation will be held in the Densch Discovery Center at the zoo at 7 p.m. on June 19. You must be 12 years or older, and registration is required. Call 407-323-4450, ext. 123, or visit CentralFloridaZoo.org

June and July – Free Family Tours at the Morse Museum

Beginning June 19, the Morse invites families to continue the museum’s celebration of its new Tiffany wing through two free summer programs designed for elementary-school-age children. The new wing (opened in 2011) provides 6,000 square feet of new exhibition space and the museum is celebrating with:

1. Family Tours – 45-minute guided tours on Tuesdays: June 19 and 26; July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31. The program includes a take-home art activity with the supplies to make a Japanese sword guard, like the ones Tiffany collected.

2. Friday Family Films – a short film, gallery tour and art activity on four Fridays: June 29; July 13 and 27; and Aug. 3. (about 90 minutes)

All children must be accompanied by a parent. A $5 refundable deposit per child is requested when securing a reservation for either program. Call 407-645-5311, ext. 136, or visit MorseMuseum.org

June 21 to July 29 – Cinderella Takes Shakespeare’s Stage

Cinderella dreams of going to the ball, but her gown is ruined and her evil stepmother and two nasty stepsisters have left for the ball. Told with help from the younger members of the audience, the whole family will be captivated by the lively and interactive staging of this classic fairy tale. Kristin Shirilla, who appeared at Orlando Shakes in 2011’s “Pride and Prejudice,” plays Cinderella while audience favorite Brandon Roberts returns as a stepsister. And with the always-inventive Patrick Flick directing this fairy tale world, there are sure to be some inside jokes to keep the older persons in the audience happy. Cinderella is a family show, suitable for most audiences. The first performance is June 21 with performances through July 29 at the Shakespeare Center at 812 E. Rollins St. in Orlando’s Loch Haven Park. Visit OrlandoShakes.org or call 407-447-1700.

June 21 to July 13 – B-Side Artists at the City Arts Factory

Central Florida is rich in talent, and the diversity of our painters is particularly evident in a group called the B-Side Artists. The fact that these artists are drawn from the ranks of street graffiti painting doesn’t begin to tap the depth of talent overflowing from these urban pioneers. B-Side’s seven original members, including Best Street Artist Winners Swamburger, Trez Harris and Chris “Tobar” Rodriguez, will bring their talent inside the City Arts Factory with an opening on June 21 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. This is serious and innovative art from urban artists who continue to amaze with their unique style, content and willingness to create in non-typical situations — like on the street. On exhibit through July 13, City Arts Factory is at 29 S. Orange Ave. in downtown Orlando. Call 407-648-7060 or visit CityArtsFactory.com

Breaking news

That local powerhouse of education and innovation, Full Sail University, has leaped to the No. 19 position in StudentAdvisor’s rankings of the “Top 100 Social Media Colleges.” Previously ranked at No. 50, Full Sail was recognized for adding more than 75,000 community members on Facebook and Twitter since 2011. Known for its cutting-edge approach, Full Sail utilizes social media platforms to inform its students, faculty and industry professionals about the institution. Dean Tsouvalas, editor-in-chief of StudentAdvisor.com said, “Full Sail University rose 31 places up our list, a bigger jump than any other college or university on the 2012 Top 100 Social Media College rankings.” The Top 100 rankings compare more than 4,000 colleges in the United States in terms of their mastery of social media methods, tools and websites. Visit fullsail.edu

Josh Garrick is a writer, photographer, educator, and fine art curator. He is a member of the Curatorial Council for the Museum of Florida Art. Garrick can be reached at [email protected] or 407-522-3906.