When you think about Orlando, Florida, you may think about amusements parks, Mickey Mouse, and the beach. However, Orlando has another side to it that you may be surprised to hear about: a flourishing art scene. With an impressive assortment of art galleries, a growing downtown art district, and exciting exhibits, Orlando is a wonderful place for art-lovers to add to their bucket list.
Taking place in October is one of Orlando’s greatest art attractions, Immerse. The festival, which takes place over 10 city blocks features hundreds of artists and live performances throughout Downtown Orlando. The unique festival invites its attendees to get up close and personal with the art, some of which is interactive with the audience.
This year, one of the main attractions centers around happiness, where festival-goers can interact with the art installations that are inspired by phrases and elements of happiness. One of the exhibits asks attendees to write a personal worry that they have on a piece of neon paper, then run it through a paper shredder that is installed on the walls. This is a symbolic way to celebrate the release of that worry and in turn, allows people to contribute to the art. These interactive experiences are very popular with people attending the event and allow them to see the art from a different perspective.
Alongside the popular interactive experience are high-energy and unique performances taking place the entire weekend. Past entertainers include the iconic “Blue Man Group” and Cirque du Soleil performers. The festival also offers performances from many local organizations such as the Orlando Ballet, Central Florida Community Arts Center, and more. Immerse also has food from all over the world alongside cultural dances and performances. This family-friendly event prides itself on bringing art, people, and culture together with its array of shows, food, and interactive exhibits.
If you are still longing for more after visiting Immerse, make sure to check out Downtown Orlando where you can find art galleries, sculptures, and performances. ‘See Art Orlando’ is an assortment of public art sculptures that were inspired by the energy of Downtown Orlando and can be seen all throughout the area. While there, you can also see walls that have been transformed into murals and unsuspecting areas that have been transformed into stages and interactive art exhibits.
The Downtown Arts District of Orlando, a non-profit organization serving the Central Florida community, hosts programs and events for something to attend all year round. Some of their popular monthly events include a ‘Gallery Hop’ which is on the 3rd Thursday of every month and their ‘In Between Series’, which presents live experimental and creative music. Focused on the community, the Downtown Arts District also hosts interactive events such as ‘Art After Dark’ where you can meet emerging artists and collectors accompanied by complimentary cocktails, appetizers, silent auctions, and interactive experiences. Just like how the Immerse festival fuses culture with art, the annual Arts District ‘Dia de los Muertos & Monster Event’ features Day of the Dead and Halloween-inspired art from artists all over the country.
With fabulous events taking place all year long, there is so much more to Orlando than the amusement parks. There is a real movement of art and culture coming to the city, making it more diverse and drawing a crowd of art lovers from all around. From family-friendly events to late-night explosive performances, Orlando’s art scene truly has something for everyone.
