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town and what visitors will find here. Drive around
to see murals as large as 175 by 30 feet, filling
dozens of walls. There are murals on the side of drug
stores and on walls of schools. You’ll see murals on
businesses and boutiques and restaurants. These are
fine art pieces that speak a thousand words each.
Through them you’ll learn about Native Americans,
wildlife, groves of citrus, cattle ranchers and…clowns.
Yes, clowns hold an esteemed position in Lake
Placid. A row of brightly-colored clown cutouts
(Sonny, Shortee, Slo Poke, Whiz Bang, et al.) at the
Lake Placid Child Development Center hint at their
role in the community—a role that reaches star billing
at the American Clown Museum & School.
109 W. Interlake Blvd.
Open: Tues.–Fri., Noon–4 pm; Saturday, 10 am–4 pm
(863) 465-2920
Wrapped by two of the town’s most popular murals
(Toby’s First Clown Class and The Art of Clowning), the
school was launched in 1993 by Keith “Toby” Stokes
with a mission to “spread smiles, love and laughter.”
Inside, more than 1,500 clowns have graduated from
a 24-hour course having learned the finer points of
clown make-up, balloon animals, skits, magic and
one-liners.
Overhead, portraits painted on ceiling tiles by local
artist Monica Turner show graduates including Dr.
Icky Nicky (a Lake Placid OB-GYN who’s delivered
12,000 babies) and “Mumbles,” the former chief of
police who’s the current city administrator. Circus
art and clown pictures, including several of and by
famed clowns Emmett Kelly and Red Skelton, are among
more than 700 circus collectibles. Graduates brighten
the days of others by visiting hospices, hospitals and
nursing homes.
An art form that grows and evolves into a
heartwarming gesture.
And a perfect finish to an exploration of the art of Florida.
Immerse yourself in the art of Florida
in Sebring .