OAKLAND — While Florida is known for its beaches, Central Florida is also a popular spot for its beautiful lakes. One of the most appealing is Lake Apopka, the fourth largest lake in the state, and just 15 miles northwest of Orlando
Lake Apopka North Shore is renowned for having 377 different bird species, making it an enormously loved spot among bird watchers, and for its hiking trails and wildlife sightings.
The town of Oakland in Orange County is putting a spotlight on Lake Apopka with an upcoming exhibition that will showcase art and photography from 30 local artists, all highlighting recent and successful efforts to fully restore the beauty and splendor of Lake Apopka.
The Town of Oakland is teaming up with the Healthy West Orange Arts & Heritage Center for this exhibit, which opens on Friday, Aug. 16 and runs through Oct. 25.
“Highlighting the successful story of restoration,” noted Jessica Lovejoy, Community Outreach Director for the Town Of Oakland, the two government agencies “are thrilled to announce an exciting series of events that tell the story of Lake Apopka through an art + history exhibit.”
It starts with an opening night reception.
What is the Upcoming Lake Apopka Art Exhibition?
The Lake Apopka: An Art + History Exhibit kicks off with the Opening Reception on Friday at 5:30 p.m., when the work of more than 30 local artists will be on display.
As Lovejoy noted, this should be a fun family event that will include:
- Alligator encounters from Gatorland
- Live banjo music from Anthony Dixon, a popular theme park musician
- Food provided by Hot Dog Therapy, Clukerz Chicken, and Oakland General
The reception runs through 7:30 p.m. This is the public’s first opportunity to check out the exhibition that will include 60 works of art in multiple mediums. Artists who contributed to this exhibit include Cheryl McLean, Philip S Avello, Talia Mancera, Kelly Pounds, Laura Serdiuk, Tiffany Santos, Diana Eagles, Rebecca Corcoran, Robin Churchill, Mary Kathryn Van Kleunen, Amy Ashley, Jon Burket, and Joni Banks, among others.
“The public is invited to attend this free event and admire the artwork and photographs from award-winning artists while also learning of Lake Apopka’s rich history, starting as a bass fishing tourist destination in the 1920s to turning toxic green and the successful restoration efforts led by the Florida Legislature, St. Johns River Water Management District, and Friends of Lake Apopka,” Lovejoy noted.
What is Lake Apopka?
Lake Apopka was once considered to be among Florida’s most polluted lakes, as agricultural discharge caused the lake to lose its submerged aquatic vegetation for more than 50 years.
In recent years the lake has been on the road to recovery, thanks to efforts by the St. Johns River Water Management District to improve the water quality and get aquatic plants growing in the lake again.
Long considered one of Central Florida’s main attractions, Lake Apopka was renowned as a famous bass-fishing lake and had 20+ fish camps around it. It was a popular tourism spot until the 1940s, when food shortages during World War II caused 20,000 acres on the North Shore to get drained and used for agricultural production.That added a considerable amount of pollution to the lake, although it is now enjoying a major revival.
To learn more about the exhibit or things to do in Oakland, visit the town’s website at www.oaklandfl.gov or their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/OakTownUSA/
Where is Oakland, Florida?
Established in 1887, Oakland is one of the oldest municipalities in Orange County and celebrated its 130th Anniversary in 2017. Their downtown once had an opera house, although a deadly fire decimated much of the downtown that never got rebuilt. Still, their historic City Hall dates back to 1911.
Oakland is also known for its parks and trails, which provide enormous recreational activities for area residents and visitors alike, who enjoy the beauty and natural wonder of parks such as Pollard Park, Speer Park, and VanderLey Park.
The town is also known for hosting the Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center, which has permanent exhibits, including the historic Oakland Presbyterian Church’s illuminated stained-glass window that dates back to the 1919 brick structure, and a video presentation on the continuing historic preservation of Oakland’s Historic African-American Cemetery.
The Center is open Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the 4th Fridays of the month during the summer and on select Saturdays.
The mission of the Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center is preserving Oakland’s past, present and future. The Center supports the mission of Healthy West Orange, a grassroots movement to inspire west Orange County to become the healthiest community in the nation.
Michael Freeman is an Orlando journalist, playwright, and author of the book “Bloody Rabbit”. Contact him at Freelineorlando@gmail.com.
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