Additional on campus learning destinations that allow for self-directed discovery include SF’s Jean Klein Rock Cycle Garden, SF’s renewable energy lab, the REAL Lab, the SF ArtWalk and SF’s North Woods natural habitat area.
Off campus, SF’s Harvey Sharron Bat Cave Field Laboratory is a truly unique asset to the college. Its dry cavern is a geological anomaly and is the only subterranean classroom of its kind among Florida’s 28 state colleges. The Seahorse Key Marine Laboratory located on Seahorse Key allows our students a deeper dive into marine biology and botany.
Santa Fe College Art Galleries
The SF Northwest Campus alone boasts four distinct venues for the visual arts.
A near constant cycle of exhibits gives students and the community the opportunity to experience works of art from fellow students, professors, community artists and nationally recognized master artists.
Santa Fe College Spring Arts Festival
Each year, Gainesville residents and visitors can stroll tree-lined streets lined with beautiful turn-of-the-century homes in Northeast Gainesville’s Historic District, and attend the Santa Fe College Spring Arts Festival. An estimated 100,000 people attend this nationally recognized art show.
“Santa Fe College has been the primary sponsor of the Spring Arts Festival since the festival began,” explained Kathryn Lehman, SF Director for Grants and Projects. “Back in 1969, faculty and staff realized there was no fine arts festival in Florida north of Winter Park, so they created Spring Arts. That first year, anyone with a table and anything that could possibly be called art could sell their work.”
The festival has since evolved into a juried show and an annual signature event in Florida. Artists from all over the nation apply to compete for entry and for the chance to win their share of the over $20,000 in prizes.
The Spring Arts Festival is organized and supported by Santa Fe College and the Santa Fe College Foundation. The festival is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture and Visit Gainesville, a Tourist Development Tax Grant from the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners in conjunction with the Alachua County Tourist Development Council; the Village Retirement Community; Pomodoro Café; the festival’s Purchase Award sponsors; and the Santa Fe Fine Arts Patrons.
For more information on the Spring Arts Festival visit sfcollege.edu/springarts.
Santa Fe College Fine Arts Hall
Built in 2011, this state-of-the-art hall houses successful SF performing groups such as Dance Theatre of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Singers, Santa Fe Jazz Ensemble, Theatre Santa Fe, Santa Fe Percussion Ensemble and the Madrigal Singers.
The SF Fine Arts Hall continues year after year to remain a top venue for the performing arts in Florida. Guest-artist series, Broadway musicals, dance and music concerts are offered year-round.
The 39,599-square-foot venue also serves as a hands-on learning laboratory for SF’s Fine Arts Programs, providing state of the art rehearsal studios, scene and costume shops and the latest in theatrical technologies.
Tickets for departmental events are $15 for adults in the orchestra, $12 in the balcony; and $9 for UF students, patrons over 60 and children under 12. Santa Fe college students, faculty, and staff are free with a valid Santa Fe College ID.
Master Artist Series ticket prices vary. Refer to their website at sfcollege.edu/finearts or call them at 352-395-4133 for more information.
