Painted in Place: Treasures of Central Florida

Solo Exhibition by Artist Catherine R. Hempel: April 7 – June 25

Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum (in collaboration with Crealdé School of Art) presents Painted in Place: Treasures of Central Florida, a solo exhibition by Central Florida painter Catherine R. Hempel. Featuring a selection of expressive oil paintings created en plein air, the exhibition reflects Hempel’s deep engagement with the landscapes, architecture, and natural beauty that define Central Florida’s sense of place.

Painting outdoors and directly from observation, Hempel captures the shifting light, atmosphere, and character of the region’s historic structures and natural environments. Her work explores the relationship between landscape and the built environment—revealing how homes, rural places, and historic landmarks anchor communities and hold the stories of those who came before us.

At a time when Central Florida is experiencing rapid growth and transformation, Hempel’s paintings serve as both celebration and reflection. Many of the works highlight historic buildings and natural settings that connect us to the region’s past. Through attentive brushwork and a strong sense of composition, she portrays these places not simply as subjects, but as living parts of the community’s cultural memory.

“As a plein air painter, I am captivated by the interplay between light, landscape, and the enduring structures that shape our region’s story,” Hempel says. “Each brushstroke is an act of preservation—an acknowledgement of the natural beauty around us and the cultural legacy that shaped Central Florida long before its current expansion.”

Through this exhibition, Hempel hopes to inspire viewers to reflect on the importance of safeguarding the historic structures and natural landscapes that give Central Florida its unique character.

About the Artist

Catherine R. Hempel is a Senior Faculty Member at Crealdé School of Art and holds a degree in Drawing and Printmaking from the University of Central Florida. Known for her expressive oil landscapes and studies of Florida’s flora and fauna, she exhibits widely across the region, including at Mount Dora Center for the Arts, CityArts Orlando, SoBo Gallery, and Winter Garden City Hall. An associate member of Oil Painters of America and a member of the Winter Garden Art Association, Hempel frequently participates in invitational paint-outs supporting environmental causes. Through both her painting and her teaching, she emphasizes the discipline of observation and the enduring value of painting from life.

EXHIBIT

April 7 - June 25, 2026

Public access Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum
656 Park Avenue North, Winter Park

Please note: The upstairs gallery of Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum, where this exhibit is located, is not wheelchair accessible. We invite people of all mobility levels to come and tour the downstairs and grounds of Casa Feliz.

SPECIAL EVENT

Artist Gallery Talk & Demonstration
May 2
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

No RSVP necessary.