Local artist Jokeeta’s incredible glass and metal art, on display during Emerge: New Works. Courtesy Crealdé School of Art.
AS CREALDÉ SCHOOL OF ART LOOKS TOWARD 2026 AND BEYOND, the Winter Park institution is balancing international artistic ambition with its longstanding commitment to community, education and cultural preservation. Across its three exhibition spaces—the Alice & William Jenkins Gallery, the Showalter Hughes Community Gallery and the Hannibal Square Heritage Center—Crealdé’s upcoming season invites visitors to experience everything from internationally acclaimed contemporary art to intimate explorations of local history.
The season begins on a reflective note with Beneath A Clear Blue Sky: Photographs of September 11 (Aug. 21-Sept. 26), a 25th-anniversary exhibition of photographs by David Forrest. Captured from Brooklyn as the events of Sept. 11, 2001 unfolded, the black-and-white images offer a personal perspective on one of the defining moments in modern American history while emphasizing resilience and humanity in the face of tragedy.
The Hannibal Square Heritage Center continues its focus on cultural identity with Orlando artist Tasanee Durrett’s Sacred Vessels: Healing and Memory in the Black Diaspora (Sept. 4-Dec. 13). Blending abstract figurative imagery with botanical forms, Durrett explores ancestral knowledge, healing and memory through richly layered mixed-media works inspired by architecture, psychology and the natural world.
Crealdé also reinforces its mission as an incubator for emerging artists through Emerge: New Works by 3D & Photography Fellowship and Studio Artists (Oct. 2-Dec. 13). The biennial exhibition showcases artists participating in the school’s fellowship and residency programs, highlighting work developed through mentorship, studio practice and teaching.
Another highlight arrives in October with Panoramic Light: The Art of Hansen Mulford (Oct. 16-Dec. 11), the first solo exhibition by the longtime Orlando Museum of Art chief curator. After four decades spent shaping Central Florida’s visual arts from behind the scenes, Mulford steps into the spotlight with contemplative paintings inspired by nature, memory and light.
The Unfolding, 60” x 60” acrylic by Lillian Verkins.
Crealdé’s momentum carries into 2027 with one of the most significant exhibitions in the school’s history. Internationally acclaimed artist Swoon brings A Homecoming (Jan. 22-April 17) to the Alice & William Jenkins Gallery, featuring monumental prints, intricate cut-paper works and immersive installations exploring family, resilience and belonging. Known for transforming public spaces around the world through her signature wheat-paste portraits, Swoon’s work has appeared at institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, Tate Modern and the Brooklyn Museum, making the Central Florida presentation a rare opportunity for regional audiences.
Community engagement remains central throughout the year. The Hannibal Square Heritage Center launches its inaugural Black History Month exhibition, The Spirit of Sankofa, pairing visual art with oral histories, walking tours and documentary programming exploring the history of Winter Park’s historic African American community. Signature events including Night of Fire, Juneteenth celebrations, Cup-a-Thon, youth workshops during the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival and partnerships with Timucua Arts Foundation, Casa Feliz and FusionFest further reinforce Crealdé’s role as both an educational institution and cultural gathering place.
While nationally recognized artists bring new perspectives to Central Florida, Crealdé’s greatest strength continues to be its ability to connect art with community. Whether showcasing internationally celebrated voices, elevating emerging local talent or preserving the stories of Hannibal Square, the school’s upcoming season demonstrates how creativity can serve equally as a catalyst for conversation, remembrance and belonging.