Tour the historic home and lakeside gardens of a prominent 20th-century sculptor, and see some of his most important creations.
Admire the work of Czech-born American sculptor Albin Polasek at the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Garden. The cultural attraction is housed inside the artist's former retirement home and contains more than 200 pieces of his work.
Albin Polasek emigrated to the United States in 1901, when he was 22 and spent nearly thirty years as the head of the Department of Sculpture at the Art Institute of Chicago. His figurative work is noted for capturing the natural movement of his subjects.
Stroll through the museum which is housed on the first floor of his house. See the studio where he worked, his bedroom and two other rooms that are decorated with period furniture and sculptures. They include bronze monuments and busts and statues of mythological creatures.
Polasek’s first wife, Ruth Sherwood was also a talented artist and several of her works are on display. The museum, also has a temporary exhibitions programme featuring work in a variety of media including photography and painting.
Although you can wander through the rooms on your own, the museum prefers visitors to take a guided tour that’s included with the price of admission. Visit the museum’s website for the tour schedule.
Make sure you leave enough time to explore the museum’s gardens that overlook Lake Osceola. They include a butterfly garden, two water gardens and an English garden in a 3-acre (1.2-hectare) space. Among the plants you can see are camellias, begonias, orchids and roses. Dotted throughout the grounds are more examples of Polasek’s work. One of the most popular pieces is Man Carving His Own Destiny that shows a powerfully built man chiseling himself to create his future.
Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Garden is open every day except Mondays. The museum is in Winter Park, about 7 miles (11 kilometres) north of Orlando. On-site parking is free, although there may be charges during special events. One of the most popular is the Winter Park Paint Out in April where you can watch local artists at work and purchase their new creations.
