Art & Culture
Violins of Hope
By Lorrie DeFrank Seventy lovingly restored string instruments that symbolize resilience and unity following indescribable horror will be showcased in a series of events in Jacksonville. Violins of Hope: Building Bridges Through the Power of Music will feature instruments that were played by Jewish musicians before and during the Holocaust, each with its own story that will be shared to educate the community and inspire understanding. Presented by Jacksonville Symphony as a highlight of its 75th anniversary season, the project will...
read moreGold Star Restaurants
Making Jacksonville a Foodie Destination Our annual Gold Star restaurant list spotlights new locally owned dining options and old favorites that offer exceptional quality and consistency. As we continue to explore the diverse dining options in our community, we are reminded of the incredible resilience and dedication of the restaurant industry. This year’s Gold Star list is a celebration of those who have remained steadfast in their commitment to delivering exceptional quality and consistency, as well as those who have...
read moreEnhancing Education with The Arts
The arts play a pivotal role in education. Involvement in the arts supports a student’s social and emotional learning and empowers them to succeed inside school and out. Not only do arts programs motivate children to come to school, but they also help reduce stress, sharpen communication, and fuel social and emotional development. Jacksonville is fortunate to have a wealth of arts education programs across all art forms that allow our students to not only learn how to express themselves in the classroom but support their future career growth....
read moreNortheast Florida Visual Artist Marsha Hatcher
Recognized With Ann McDonald Baker Art Ventures Award By Laura Jane Pittman On a sunny day in November, a small group gathers in the courtyard of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and are all smiles. Artist and local visionary Marsha Hatcher—the 2024 recipient of the Ann McDonald Baker Art Ventures Award—poses for photographs with the late Ann Baker’s daughters and son and staff from The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. Hatcher, who is also a long-term substitute for an advanced placement painting/drawing class at Douglas...
read morePublisher’s Note
With a new year brings hope. Hope for the new year elevates feelings we experience when we foresee a path to a better future. Hope acknowledges the significant obstacles and deep pitfalls along that path. True hope has no room for delusion. Violins of Hope During the Holocaust all most people had was hope. Hope is a powerful desire that can have a profound impact on an individual’s life as well as the world at large. Examples of such hope are the 70 lovingly restored string instruments symbolizing resilience and unity following...
read moreA Season of Celebration: Honoring Heritage, Hope, and Harmony
By Steven Libman As we continue our 75th Anniversary Season, we are delighted to present a rich lineup of performances and educational events that reflect our commitment to diversity, remembrance, and musical excellence. In February we celebrate Black History Month with concerts that highlight the creativity, impact, and powerful voices of African American virtuosos. This winter also marks the presentation of Violins of Hope, a profound event that commemorates the resilience of Holocaust survivors through restored string instruments. Further,...
read moreFor the Love of Manatees
By Eva Dasher On a bright summer day, when the temperature hasn’t yet chased everyone indoors and the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is teeming with excited children recently released from school, I peer into a tank at the Manatee Critical Care Center (MCCC) and spot two manatees gently swirling around each other in the lettuce-covered water. “We have two manatees in here right now. One is Applejack, we just microchipped her today because she is going to be released soon. She came here with two calves. One of them is at the Georgia...
read moreA Christmas Present for Jacksonville The “LIFE” Sculpture in Memorial Park
By Wayne W. Wood ‘Twas the first day of Christmas, under skies that were dark. The people all hurried to Riverside’s new park. They unveiled the winged boy who stood on the ball, And everyone gasped, “He has no clothes at all!” Hundreds of people gathered under threatening clouds at 3:30 p.m. on Christmas Day, 1924, to see the dedication of the new Memorial Park in Riverside and the unveiling of the much-anticipated bronze statue. As the covering was drawn from the monumental sculpture by two young girls, Mary Burroughs and Mary Bedell, a...
read moreArt & Gardens As a Lifeline
The Cummer Museum’s Artful Moments Program By Kim Kuta Dring, Director of Learning and Engagement, Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens Art is more than a luxury; it is a lifeline—a vital tool for improving well-being, especially for older adults facing cognitive challenges. Studies show that engaging with arts and aesthetic experiences can benefit our brain health, creating new neural pathways and improving cognitive function. For older adults and individuals living with dementia, these benefits can be profound. The Cummer Museum of Art &...
read moreHealing Hearts Through Art
Angelic sculpture honors memory of young dancer By Kate A. Hallock An accomplished dancer with Village Dance Center in Ortega for 12 years, Allison performed in both the Community Nutcracker and the First Coast Nutcracker productions, was a cheerleader for the Bolles School, and served as an acolyte at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. She was a direct descendant of Columbus Drew, a founding father of the city of Jacksonville and founder of H. Drew Printing Company in 1855, a company still operating on the Southside as Wells and Drew. In April...
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