Maitland Art Center

Maitland Art Center
Maitland Art Center is located in Florida
Maitland Art Center
Maitland Art Center is located in the United States
Maitland Art Center
LocationMaitland, Florida
Coordinates28°37′32″N 81°22′3″W / 28.62556°N 81.36750°W / 28.62556; -81.36750
Built1937
ArchitectJules Andre Smith
Architectural styleMayan Revival
NRHP reference No.82001036[1]
14000920 (NHL)[2]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPNovember 17, 1982
Designated NHLDAugust 25, 2014[2]

The Maitland Art Center (formerly known as The Research Studio) is a historic site in Maitland, Florida. It was founded and designed by architect and artist J. Andre Smith (1880–1959) in 1937 as an artist colony, dedicated to experimental art. Funded by philanthropist Mary Curtis Bok,[3] the colony hosted artists such as Ralston Crawford, Milton Avery, and Consuelo Kanaga. It is located at 231 West Packwood Avenue. On November 17, 1982, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

The Maitland Art Center is one of the five museums encompassed by the Art & History Museums – Maitland (A&H). The A&H's Maitland Art Center offers artist residency programs, a variety of art classes for adults and children, professional development for artists, and dynamic programming for art appreciation. The A&H is a non-profit organization funded by earned income and contributions by the City of Maitland, the State of Florida, United Arts of Central Florida, grants, and individual donations.

The A&H's Maitland Art Center is one of the few examples of Mayan Revival architecture, also known as Fantasy Architecture in the southeast. The grounds are a common location for outdoor weddings. The art center offers three areas for weddings: the Main Garden, the Chapel, and the Mayan Courtyard.

The Center (as The Research Studio (Maitland Art Center)) was designated a National Historic Landmark in August 2014.[2] It was given this designation primarily for its distinctive architecture, a Mayan-influenced interpretation of Art Deco,[4] sometimes referred to as Mayan Revival.[5]

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c Weekly List Of Actions Taken On Properties: 9/22/14 through 9/26/14
  3. ^ Stapleton, Kevin (January 14, 2015). "Episode 36 Art Colony Bell". A History of Central Florida Podcast. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  4. ^ "NHL nomination for The Research Studio (Maitland Art Center)" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  5. ^ LEBLANC, KAREN (Winter 2015). "A NATIONAL TREASURE" (PDF). Winter Park Magazine. pp. 26–34.