Located a few miles north of Orlando in
Eatonville, Florida, the Zora Neale Hurston National
Museum of Fine Arts was established in 1990 as a program of The Association to Preserve the
Eatonville Community, Inc. The purpose of the museum is to provide a place in the community where the public can view the artwork from American artists of African descent. The gallery features exhibits that rotate every six months. The exhibits feature artist of various mediums that capture the African American culture.
The museum is named after Zora Neale Hurston, acclaimed as one of the most notable writers during the Harlem Renascence. Her use of voice and language set her apart from other writers of her era. She included Southern mannerisms and speech in her writing, as she experienced in her life.
Each year the museum hosts a huge festival, attracting over 30,000 visitors. The festival celebrates Hurston's life and influence on other African-American artists that continue on in the spirit of Hurston's work in African American culture. Celebrating the writer's home town of
Eatonville, the festival highlights the significance of the oldest incorporated African American municipality. They also celebrate the cultural contributions that African-Americans have made to the development of the US and around the world.
When visiting Orlando, venture a few miles north and check out the museum dedicated to the memory of a very influential African American writer. The museum is open Monday through Friday. While there is no set admission fee, the museum appreciated any donation that its guests can give.
