Vickers Family Reception at the Harn Museum

Surrounded by family and friends, Samuel and Roberta Vickers celebrate the opening "A Florida Legacy: Gift of Samuel H. and Roberta T. Vickers” exhibit showcasing the Vickers family over 140 piece art collection gifted during a reception for the to the Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida. 

“The Vickers Collection is unique in its power to convey both the exquisite natural beauty and the rich history of people in Florida — the ruggedness and grandeur of its landscapes and the highs and lows of its human history through the centuries,” UF President Kent Fuchs said. “Sam and Robbie have shared a treasure with us, and we are thrilled to have the privilege of sharing their collection in turn with all visitors to the Harn Museum.”

As an integral part of the University of Florida campus, the Harn Museum of Art will share the Vickers’ gift as an important new resource to strengthen faculty collaboration, support teaching and enhance class tours, and provide research projects for future study. “A Florida Legacy” is organized along six thematic sections that address many prominent subjects represented in the Vickers Collection: nature, history, landmarks, diversions, living and impressions. 

The “Florida Nature” section includes iconic views of Florida forests, beaches and wetlands. 

The “Florida History” section includes nineteenth-century drawings of important figures in Seminole history, an early map of Florida, and early depictions of historic cities such as St. Augustine. 

The “Florida Landmarks” section showcases views of historic forts, town squares and city parks in a number of cities across the state. 

The “Florida Diversions” section features familiar sites such as people enjoying themselves at crowded beaches and at popular destinations such as racetracks, Silver Springs, and the Everglades. 

The “Florida Living” section focuses on Florida scenery, domestic architecture and scenes of daily life. 

A Florida Legacy: Sam and Robbie Vickers’ transformational gift to the Harn Museum of Art

Here is the video on The Florida Art Collection, an extensive collection of Florida-themed paintings, drawings, and watercolors that includes many prominent American artists from the late 19th to the mid-20th centuries including paintings by such celebrated artists as Winslow Homer and John Singer Sargent gifted by Samuel and Roberta Vickers as the collection transitions from their North Florida home to the Harn Museum of Art.

Shoutout to everyone who assisted me and my team in helping tell the story behind this collection.

Creative Director - David Houder

Editor - Brenton Richardson

Audio/Video Recordings by:

Tom Bacsick

Alex Baucom

Aaron Daye

Ray Hays

David Houder

Brenton Richardson

UF President Fuchs Tours Florida Legacy Art Collection

A behind-the-scenes look at University of Florida President Dr. Kent Fuchs taking a private tour of the A Florida Legacy: Gift of Samuel H. and Roberta T. Vickers exhibit before it opens to the public. This inaugural exhibition celebrates the transformative gift of over 1,200 pieces of one of the world’s most extensive collections of Florida-themed art from Samuel and Roberta Vickers to the Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida.