Maitland Art Center facts for kids
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Maitland Art Center
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | Maitland, Florida |
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| Built | 1937 |
| Architect | Jules Andre Smith |
| Architectural style | Mayan Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001036 14000920 (NHL) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 17, 1982 |
| Designated NHLD | August 25, 2014 |
The Maitland Art Center is a special historical place in Maitland, Florida. It used to be called The Research Studio. An artist and architect named J. Andre Smith started and designed it in 1937. He wanted it to be a place where artists could live and work together, trying out new and different kinds of art.
A kind person named Mary Curtis Bok helped pay for the center. Many famous artists, like Ralston Crawford and Milton Avery, came to work there. You can find the Maitland Art Center at 231 West Packwood Avenue. On November 17, 1982, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical site.
The Maitland Art Center is one of five museums that are part of the Art & History Museums – Maitland (A&H). Today, the center offers many cool things. Artists can live and work there for a while, and people of all ages can take art classes. There are also special programs to help artists grow their skills and learn more about art.
The A&H is a non-profit group, which means it uses all its money to support its mission, not to make a profit. It gets money from the City of Maitland, the State of Florida, and other groups and people who donate.
Unique Architecture
The Maitland Art Center is famous for its special design. It is one of the few buildings in the southeastern United States that uses a style called Mayan Revival architecture. Some people also call this "Fantasy Architecture" because it looks so unique. This style is inspired by the ancient Mayan buildings from Central America.
The center's buildings have interesting carvings and shapes that remind you of Mayan temples. This special look makes the Maitland Art Center a popular spot for outdoor weddings. There are three beautiful areas where weddings can happen: the Main Garden, the Chapel, and the Mayan Courtyard.
A National Historic Landmark
In August 2014, the Maitland Art Center was given an even higher honor. It was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it's one of the most important historical places in the entire country.
It received this special title mainly because of its amazing architecture. The buildings show a unique mix of Mayan-inspired designs and the Art Deco style, which was popular in the 1920s and 1930s. This blend is what makes it a great example of Mayan Revival architecture.
See also
