The Historic Thomas Center

04/29/2026

"PASSING THROUGH" now on display in our Thomas Center gallery until May 20.

Paynes Prairie is a notorious liminal space in Gainesville, somewhere most people experience only in passing from the highway, yet layered with geological instability and long histories of human settlement. The prairie is neither fully land nor fully water; during different moments it has functioned as a lake, village site, transportation corridor, and now a preserved landscape bordered by constant vehicular traffic. Through this communally created paper clay installation, we highlight the instability and threshold quality—here, the boundaries between the natural and manufactured world blur...

Curated by University of Florida MFA Ceremics Students: Alex Awuku, Kelsey Barton, Rachel Horn, Eojin Lee, Aurora Pavlish-Carpertner with help from Cing Huai, Lucia Oria, and Grace Sachi Troxell

03/30/2026

The City of Gainesville’s America 250 event “Tea With Felicity” was very nice over 150 guests gathered at the Thomas Center for a full day of activities. The event began with a stage play “Tea With Felicity“ performed by The Star Center Theatre.

Felicity is based on The American Dolls Collection and there were so many dolls!

Historical period: 1774-1776.

Event sponsored by The Thomas Center Associates, The National Endowment for the Arts and the City of Gainesville's Parks, City of Gainesville - Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (PRCA)

03/19/2026

Celebrate Early American History at the Thomas Center
Step back in time and experience the spirit of early America at Plays in the Park: The American Story—a free, family-friendly event in Gainesville! The first of six historical events.

Tea with Felicity: The American Revolution
📅 Sunday, March 29, 2026
🕑 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

This interactive afternoon brings 18th-century history to life through performance, music, and hands-on activities for all ages. Enjoy a theatrical presentation by the Star Center Theatre, a live string concert by Daniel Stepp and the WireBirds, and immersive experiences including quill and ink writing demonstration by Joon Thomas,, traditional tea customs, and colonial dancing lessons led by Angela DeCarlis.

The program also features a special reading of the Declaration of Independence by award-winning actor Greg Jones. The event will be hosted by host Bonnie Lykes, journalist & storyteller and a member of the Thomas Center Associates.

Designed to both educate and entertain, this engaging event invites families and history lovers alike to explore the music, traditions, and storytelling of early America in a welcoming, community-centered setting.

✨ Free and open to the public

Join us for an afternoon of history, creativity, and connection as we celebrate America’s 250-year journey together.

This program is funded in part by National Endowment for the Arts Arts, City of Gainesville - Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (PRCA), and the Thomas Center Associates.

America250

02/04/2026

It’s always an exciting day when new exhibitions are being installed here at the Thomas Center Galleries. The Alachua County Public School exhibition is always a community favorite.

Exhibition features artworks from students K-12.

Artist Kim Bauldree, ACPS and Livia Wilson, UF graduate student, Art History - busy at work.

Show in the main gallery and the Doris Barron Mezzanine gallery. Show opens February 13th.

02/01/2026

Stay warm, Gainesville!

01/18/2026

Nice to see our neighbors for the Marbling Valentine art class with Lynn Webster from Sweetwater Print Cooperative. Thank you Lynne and Valerie for hosting a fun class.

01/17/2026

We, along with the City of Gainesville's Cultural Advisory Board are pleased to announce that we are co-hosting the Alachua County Arts Council's 5th Annual Artists Conference on Friday, April 24, 2026 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. In the Spanish Court.

A few of the topics will include "Where Nature and Culture Meet, Legal Protections for Artistic Creations, Arts Engagement as a Health Behavior: Framework, Emerging Evidence & Insights, Hacking into Your Value Story, Creating and implementing a successful festival and more. Interactive arts activities will be on hand. Enjoy lunch in our beautiful gardens.

The conference will be free to attend but registration will be required. Registration information will be available soon.

Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be provided.

01/16/2026

Joon Thomas, our guest curator from Sweetwater Print Cooperative led an informative tour with 30 home schoolers today, introducing them to printmaking, the science and tools used in creating beautiful art.

01/15/2026

Congratulations to the City of Gainesville's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs: Cultural Affairs division for being awarded a $19,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support the America250 series: "Plays in the Park: The American Story. The series begins "Tea with Felicity" American Girl -1774- 1776 Celebrating America 250 with a special reading of the Declaration of Independence with award-winning actor Greg Jones, Hippodrome Theatre. Tea with Felicity is co-sponsored by the Thomas Center Associates

The series includes six performances highlighting key periods in American history:

Revolutionary America (1774-1776)
New Mexico (1820)
Pioneer America (1854)
Civil War era (1864)
America’s New Century (1904)
World War II America (1944)

Each performance will include period-appropriate live music, interactive arts activities, dance and will feature local artists and arts organizations.

01/12/2026

It has been a pleasure to host the current exhibition "Before Instagram Sweetwater Print Coop, 30th Anniversary 1995-2025, which featured over 40 past and current Sweetwater Print Co-operative artists. Our gallery had a record number of 1500 visitors to the exhibit which was accompanied by 3 complimentary art workshops (Foldable Book Structures, Lino Cut Holiday Cards and Marbeling Paper Valentines). We invite you to see this beautiful exhibition before it closes January 20th.

A complimentary catalogue of the exhibition is available at the Thomas Center Galleries (while supplies last).

12/29/2025

Get your seat for our next community art workshop led by artist Lynn Webster. Free and open to the public. All supplies provided. Brought to you by the City of Gainesville and Sweetwater Print Cooperative.

Pick up your free copy of "Sweetwater Print Co-operative, 30 year Anniversary Print catalogue.

Make a valentine at The Thomas Center