Florida Museum 'Barrier Islands' painting exhibit opens March 17

March 11, 2011

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Explore the Florida Museum of Natural History’s newest exhibit, “Barrier Islands: Creations of Tide and Time” from March 17 through June 26.

The free exhibit provides visitors with a glimpse of southeastern barrier islands through 26 paintings by Florida artists Brenda Hofreiter, Nancy Moskovitz and Mary Jane Volkmann.

“Sculpted by waves, wind and salt, barrier islands are beloved for their beauty but also support unique flora and fauna and play a critical role in protecting the mainland from storms,” said Darcie MacMahon, Florida Museum assistant director for exhibits. “We hope this exhibit inspires viewers to admire and then look deeper to discover the significance of barrier islands to our lives.”

The exhibit depicts scenes from the islands’ interior and exterior habitats, including wildlife, structural features such as lighthouses and landscapes of sunrises, sunsets, tidal marshes and more.

Artists Hofreiter, Moskovitz and Volkmann are past recipients of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Artist-in-Residence Program, which allowed them to live on Sapelo Island and paint neighboring barrier islands. The artists have continued painting barrier islands of the southeast to enjoy and share their beauty and importance with others.

The Florida Museum of Natural History is located near the intersection of Southwest 34th Street and Hull Road in the University of Florida Cultural Plaza in Gainesville. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Butterfly Rainforest admission is $10.50 for adults ($9 Florida residents) and $6 for ages 3-17. Prices subject to change.

For more information, including directions and parking, visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu or call 352-846-2000.