One of the beauties of art is that it’s not limited; our range of culture allows us to express ourselves through different outlets. So far, I’ve only discussed visual arts, but there is more beyond that! Think about the performing arts – theatre, dance, opera, etc. Instead of using physical means, performance artists use their body or their voice to convey artistic expression. Although some people may view this as mere entertainment, performances actually speak a great deal about the artist, whether about who they are or a message they’re trying to deliver. By performing, the artist is trying to break the traditional art mold. A striking cry from the paintings and pictures we immediately think of when we hear the word “art,” conceptual art challenges its audience to think in new, unconventional ways and to redefine the answer to “what is art.”
Here are my top four artsy ventures in Gainesville for you to explore:
1. The Hippodrome State Theatre
It’s one thing if you haven’t been to the Hipp, but if you haven’t heard of it, I don’t know where you’ve been! One of North Florida’s only professional theatres, the Hipp hosts a number of plays, film screenings, and festivals throughout the year. It even has an art gallery, so you get the best of both worlds — conceptual and visual art. A Gainesville favorite, the Hipp is a must on your UF bucket list; you can’t graduate without this experience.
2. Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art
I know, I know. Museums were those boring places you went to for a field trip in elementary school where you were stuck learning and couldn’t touch anything. But now that you’re older, maybe you’ll realize they can actually be kind of cool. As the one visual art outing on this list, the Harn Museum features a variety of collections from photography and African to contemporary art and a number of traveling exhibitions. There is always something new to see! This enriching experience is conveniently located right on campus on Hull Road.
3. University of Florida Phillips Center of Performing Arts
Right next door to the Harn Museum is UF’s very own performing arts center. I used to think this was for UF events only, but they actually offer a variety of performances. From theatre and dance performances to orchestras and operas to even Broadway touring companies, there is always something to see. Look for their events calendar on their webpage, pick your art, and go!
4. Artwalk Gainesville
This is the coolest and most unique option on the list. Artwalk Gainesville is a free, monthly self-guided tour through Gainesville’s art district held on the last Friday of each month from 7 to 10 p.m. It combines visual art, performances, and events all in downtown Gainesville. It’s where the creativity happens!
Next time you’re looking for something to do, indulge yourself a little! Look beyond the typical movie or forgo a night in Midtown, and give yourself a chance to appreciate a little art and culture.