Stories in Stone: A Walking Tour of the Maitland Art Center

Step behind the gates of the Maitland Art Center and into a world shaped by vision, imagination, and legacy. This one-hour guided tour takes you through the gardens and courtyards of a campus like no other—founded in the 1930s by American artist and architect J. André Smith as a haven for modern experimentation and creative freedom.

As your guide leads you through the campus, you’ll trace the story of Smith’s life—from his childhood in Hong Kong to his service in World War I to the founding of the Maitland Art Center, which he called “Espero,” a Spanish word for hope. These experiences—and his Episcopal faith—influenced the extraordinary design of the campus: a blend of Mayan Revival architecture with embedded Christian symbolism and East Asian motifs. The result is a surreal, immersive environment—at once spiritual, exotic, and modern—where over 2,500 carvings, sculptures, and reliefs adorn nearly every surface.

Along the way, you’ll learn about the community of artists who lived and worked here between the 1930s and 1950s—names like Milton Avery, Ralston Crawford, and Doris Lee—and how this hidden Florida enclave became one of the state’s most forward-thinking creative centers.

Includes access to the Maitland Art Center gallery, Maitland History Museum, and Telephone Museum.

Tours are appropriate for all ages, recommended for ages 13+.

• If you are an A&H member, this event is free! Just enter the code from your membership card at checkout. If you'd like to become a member of A&H and enjoy all the exciting free and discounted programming offered to our members, visit here
• Los tours en español se ofrecen el último sábado de cada mes: obtener entradas