Business Features
Ford Motor Company assembly plant
Jacksonville, Florida was honored for nearly a hundred years to be home to one of industrial architect Albert Kahn’s “automotive cathedrals” before it was demolished in June 2023 by its owner, Amkin Hill Street, LLC, just one year before the building would have reached its century mark in 2024. The Jacksonville Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant, on the bank of the St. Johns River just north of the Mathews Bridge, was constructed over a three-year period from January 1924 to November 1926, faithful to Kahn’s trademark “daylight factory” design...
read moreARCHITECTURAL DESIGN & BUILD PROJECTS 2024
Since architecture and design are both an art and a business, this annual issue feels like a seamless fit. Arbus takes great pride in serving as the platform for so many of the region’s best architects, designers, and builders to promote their work. Take a look and discover this year’s most exciting changes to our built environment. Be inspired.
read moreJoe Segal Juxtapositions of Hope
By Caitlin Flynn Joe Segal’s sculptures exist in a juxtaposed world calling the viewer to ruminate and reflect. At first glance, the sculptures appear simple, but then you see the laborious process infused; raw wood and polished metal. Simple in shape yet complex in detail. Rough nature and streamlined development. Some acting as reliefs, others standing on their own—they are defiant and reflective; simple and complex. Perhaps it is the contrasts that pull you in. You will find yourself standing before them, lost in thought, and a lot...
read moreWhen Hope Presses Into Generational Wrongs
By Sheri Leonard Webber Hope McMath has been active with “Take ‘Em Down Jax” since 2017, but it was two years into those efforts when she came to a critical point of connection. It was her second visit to the sites. “In 2019, I went with a group from 904WARD to Montgomery, Alabama, and the Equal Justice Initiative sites,” says McMath. She describes the museum, memorial, and sites as powerful—tracing threads of connection from the era of enslavement in this country through the Jim Crow era and lynching and into the present...
read moreKathy 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 moreGold Star Restaurants
Making Jacksonville a Foodie Destination Discovering new dining options and old favorites that offer exceptional quality and consistency is what makes our annual Gold Star restaurant list so remarkable. 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 embraced change and reinvented themselves in exciting new ways. We are honored to introduce you to some new...
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 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 more
