Art & Culture Features
Enhancing 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 moreIsabella Rossellini Actress, model, conservationist
Recently, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens hosted their annual Toast to Conservation, an evening to celebrate the commitment to protecting threatened animals, plants, and ecosystems around the globe with special guest, Isabella Rossellini. Established in 2017, the zoo’s wildlife conservation programs include organizations locally and globally which they have dedicated over $1.25 million to within the past five years. The event was hosted at the Glass Factory, a charming venue that set the stage for a once-in-a-lifetime performance from...
read moreSt. Augustine Art Association Celebrates Its Centenary
By Kim Brown Nestled in a protected nook on the northeast seaboard of Florida, St. Augustine is known for its rich history and vast cultural tapestry. It has long been the home and inspiration of many artists, dating back hundreds of years. It is also home to the St. Augustine Art Association (STAAA), a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating, supporting, and promoting visual arts in the community. What started as a modest collective of artists gathering for artistic companionship has blossomed into a foundational organization that is preparing to...
read moreMOCA Jax Celebrates 100 Years
of Celebrating Art, Artists, & Ideas By Amber Sesnick, Director of Communications & Marketing at MOCA Jacksonville January 2024 is the launch of a year of celebration that marks a significant point in the history for our fine city and reaches beyond local impact into the history of art and culture in our country. The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2024, holding the distinction of being the first visual arts organization in the city of Jacksonville, as well as the oldest art...
read moreScotie Cousin
Artist—Cousin’S Critters Photo: Laird How do you envision your critters? What is the inspiration? Let’s start with God first. Because He’s just kind of telling me what to do. He has really supercharged the creative gray matter between my ears. Sometimes it just flows out so effortlessly. I don’t do any specific species, mainly. I get a lot of people asking me to do a dolphin or a shark and I still love doing that, but what I really love is not knowing what I’m going to do next. And then what happens is I go, “Wow,...
read moreNew Exhibit Remembers the Past Speaks to the Present.
By Caryl Butterley The LJD Jewish Family & Community Services (JFCS) is an organization rooted in the Jewish tradition of tikkun olam or “repairing the world.” JFCS puts this into practice through its many social service programs, including child welfare, financial assistance, mental health counseling, senior services, and so much more. At the heart of the agency stands the Frisch Family Holocaust Memorial Gallery, a space dedicated to remembering the six million Jews who perished during the Holocaust and as a place for...
read moreLillian Blades: Fragmental Reflections
Thru November 1 My artistic journey revolves around the exploration of connections—how elements relate to one another aesthetically and structurally. This tactile way of making invites introspection, evokes emotion, and offers a unique pathway to self-discovery, ultimately tethering the viewer to the timeless tapestry of human experience. I investigate the profound nature of these experiences and their impact on our perception. This body of work showcases visually compelling pieces comprised of mirrors and a labyrinth of meticulously woven...
read moreDay Dreamers
Exhibiting at MOCA Jacksonville thru January 14th, 2024 Where does your mind wander when you daydream? Everybody enjoys envisioning who they hope to become, activities they aspire to do, and places they wish to explore. In fact, daydreaming can be a useful tool for relieving stress and a welcome respite for children and teenagers confined to the hospital. This collection of artwork offers insight into the imaginations of 20 pediatric patients receiving medical care from Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Whether they picture themselves as a...
read moreDragons & Pagodas
By Janet Reagor Sixteenth century Europeans envisioned the Far East as mysterious—even mythological—a fascinating and wonderous place inhabited by strange creatures, marvelous flora, exotic people, and incredible architecture. With travel nearly nonexistent, the few who visited offered sparse bits about culture, art, and lifestyle, leaving Westerners to let their imaginations soar. As Chinese marvels trickled into Europe in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, a stir began. Then around 1603 the Dutch East India Company captured a...
read moreLive Better, Longer
Well-being is a buzzword in our current culture. Yet, when asked what well-being looks like for individuals, people tend to pause. It’s been elusive to define without focusing heavily on diet and exercise. Yet, more and more, studies are revealing that diet and exercise are only pieces of the larger puzzle of well-being. One organization championing this philosophy of living better, longer with a more comprehensive approach is Blue Zones Project Jacksonville. Learn more about how Blue Zones Project Jacksonville can improve your...
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