Art & Culture
Kathy Stark Conscientious Creator & Parks Advocate
Imagine the mid-1930s. Transport yourself to the aftermath of the stock market crash that sent America spiraling into the Great Depression. Franklin D. Roosevelt took office as the nation grappled with unprecedented levels of unemployment, widespread poverty, and a financial system in shambles. As president, he lost no time in addressing the despair and hopelessness felt by more than 125 million Americans. He boldly declared “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” in his 1933 inaugural address—words that set the tone for a...
read moreFor the Love of Books
The history of local independent bookstores in the United States has been an essential part of our literary and political education. Thomas Paine used bookstores to circulate “Common Sense,” which made the case for independence from Great Britain and seeded the idea of revolution. Later, literature about the suffragists and civil rights was disseminated via bookstores, which historically provided a safe haven for community gatherings and discussions. Then, between 2010 and 2018 an amazing thing happened: Independent bookstores made a...
read moreArbus Adventures Cuba … It’s Complicated
Images by Vanessa Harper (VH), Alberto Morales (AM), and Lara Ortiz (LO) Words by Cinda Sherman Cuba is both ugly and beautiful. It is ravaged with despair and neglect, yet it is vibrant and alive with promise. This all serves to make Cuba complicated. You can read about Cuba in the news, but you can’t quite capture its complexity until you’re there on the ground in real time experiencing Cuba’s everyday contradictions. The country has been in chronic distress since the collapse of the Soviet Union, and today, the island is suffocating in the...
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 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 moreThe 21st Annual Gingerbread Extravaganza
December 8 – 27 The Jacksonville Historical Society’s Gingerbread Extravaganza will enthrall visitors of all ages as they ooh and aah over dozens of delectable gingerbread creations built by amateurs and professionals. The event includes decorated trees, a scavenger hunt, holiday shop, and Kids Day on Sunday December 10 from noon to 5 p.m. Your holiday celebration won’t be complete without a visit. Old St. Andrew’s Church, 317 A. Philip Randolph Blvd. Tickets required. Hours vary; closed Dec. 11, 17, 18, 24, and 25. For more...
read moreExtravaganza 2024: Alchemy
February 24, 2024 For over 30 years, Douglas Anderson’s (DA) annual Extravaganza has been a testament to the seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, and combination, known as alchemy. This year, our theme will showcase the best of what our talented Douglas Anderson students have to offer, spanning a wide range of music, writing, film, dance, theatre, and visual art. This is the second year our school has focused on a theme for Extravaganza. “We wanted a way to elevate Extravaganza from a variety show to an experience that...
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...
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