The Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida is launching a major exhibition titled "Florida in the Frame: A Century of Artists’ Reflections on the Sunshine State." Drawing from the extensive Samuel H. and Roberta T. Vickers Collection, the show features over 65 artists including American masters like Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, and Thomas Moran alongside Florida Highwaymen painters. The exhibition is organized into three thematic sections that explore the state's natural landscapes, the development of its urban centers, and its evolution into a global tourism destination between 1850 and 1950.
This exhibition highlights the significant cultural impact of the Vickers' gift of 1,200 works to the Harn Museum, which serves as a definitive visual record of Florida's history. By pairing high-profile American Impressionists and Modernists with regional artists, the museum provides a comprehensive look at how Florida’s identity was constructed through the artistic lens. The inclusion of archival materials from the George A. Smathers Libraries and student research further emphasizes the museum's role as an academic resource for studying the intersection of environment, history, and popular culture.