All works of art will be for sale at the free event and at a special, ticketed Artists’ Reception and Show, with proceeds benefiting both the artists and the Arboretum. The artwork is very affordable and offers a wide range of sizes and media, from watercolors, acrylics, oils, oil pastels, and pastels.

This year, the Arboretum is partnering with the Arlington Council of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, which will bring additional resources and greater exposure within the community. A portion of the revenues generated through sponsorship, ad and ticket sales will go to the Arlington Council’s education fund, which provides support to Arlington area elementary schools.

As part of an ongoing partnership with the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens, The Cummer will host several of the demonstrating artists here in the Museum’s historical Gardens on the following dates:

Sunday, March 10, Noon- 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 30, Noon- 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 21, Noon- 3:00 p.m.

Talking about it with your family.  Especially when the family member is a  child.

KTAC can help.

KTAC offers a five week workshop four times a year during the evening, 5:30- 7:30pm.  Programs are held at Riverside Presbyterian Day School and include dinner for children and families.  Each week children ages 5 to 17 attend a session focusing on a specific topic.  Art educators and clinical social workers help the children complete a project that promotes discussion of emotions and feelings.  Adults meet separately in a group led by a clinical social worker where they learn how to effectively communicate with their children.  These workshops are free and open to anyone in the community that needs these services.

The next five week session begins on Tuesday January 29th at Riverside Presbyterian Day School, 830 Oak St. Jacksonville, FL 32204.

• Week 1: Tues. January 29-RPDS
• Week 2: Tues. February 6- RPDS
• Week 3: Tues. February 12- RPDS
• Week 4: Tues. February 19- RPDS
• Week 5: Tues. February 26- The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, 829 Riverside Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32204

Call now to register at (904) 308-5822.

Paperbound Conversation

Written by Ian Burr, Student at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts

The problem is this.

You called yourself poet once,
But fell silent, voice stolen straight from the box
By ancient, thinking thieves
With quills quicker than your Bic.

You and I
Know rules are broken things,
Shackles on odd imaginations
That chain claustrophobia
Around the ecstasies of vertigo.
These irons will not release
Until you learn to bleed steel.

Speak now, poet,
Wordsmith in shining armor.

Attack.
Your words are swords
To slash and hack,
Subtracting abstraction from facts
In fictions, forging your tact
With proper diction, a doctor’s precision,
A scored prescription for your addiction
To exploring past the dictionary,
Straying to say the imaginary, to
Play visionary for merry fairies
That ferry thoughts like
Birds would berries, words to carry on
Until you are understood,
A rocky slate in organic wood,

Because sticks and stones
Are powerless next to a turn of the phrase,
And when you fall in an empty forest,
A sonic boom shellshocks the world for a day.

A poet’s work is like a kiss
Lost in glossed hypothesis.
The problem is
You believe this.

On June 2nd & 3rd, J. Johnson Gallery will host a special event in celebration of the exhibit, called The Art of Movement.  The event allows participants to experience different types of movement exercises, while in the presence of these dynamic pieces of art.  On Saturday, you can enjoy a Mindful Yoga class with Kathy and Dennis Lang, and on Sunday, you can enjoy a Pilates/Yoga + gyrokinesis® class with Lisa Long and Body Balance institute owner Vicki Sullivan.

Each class is mixed level and welcomes both beginners and more advanced students.  The Gallery will also have a few yoga mats available if you do not have your own.  There is a suggested charitable contribution of $15 per class.

Now for the really cool part: All donations benefit The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, to support our annual VSA Festival.  The festival provides an opportunity for  students with disabilities and their teachers and chaperones to experience the beauty of original works of art and the creative power of the art-making process.  The Festival involves the assistance of more than 1,200 volunteers and serves over 2,000 students every year.

If you have questions or would like to participate in The Art of Movement, please contact J. Johnson Gallery by sending an email to rsvp@jjohnsongallery.com or calling 904-435-3207.

Matthew Patterson

Patterson’s bio reads as follows:

“Matthew Patterson has lived all over America, from Honolulu to Brooklyn, and is currently based in Florida.

Despite being interested in a range of artistic practices he often returns to drawing as the favored method to address issues of spirituality, the body, fringe belief structures, witchcraft, symmetry, self-control and obsession.

He has exhibited both nationally and internationally and believes that, as a friend told him; “good art should be like a bible of the inner”.

Anna Reynolds

She is currently represented by SMART Gallery, located in the historic San Marco area of Jacksonville, and has shown her work in various group and solo shows at such venues as the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, Flat File Gallery, Push 2 Gallery, Olgesby Gallery, The von Liebig Art Center, St. Augustine Art Association, FSCJ Kent Gallery, Polk Community College, and the Siena Art Institute in Italy.

The grants are part of the company’s broader support of its communities. In 2011, Wells Fargo invested more than $11 million in nonprofit organizations and schools and team members volunteered more than 50,000 hours across Florida.

“At Wells Fargo, we are committed to supporting programs and organizations that we believe are important to the future of our communities’ vitality and success,” said Andrea Crutchfield, Wells Fargo Store Manager in Fleming Island. “So we are proud to support the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens with this grant.”

After the opening remarks thanking Larry Wilson, Betsy Lovett, Christina Foard, Doug Eng, and many, many others, the award ceremony was begun.  This years awards were in the form of treasure boxes, designed by local artist Doug Eng.

The first award of the evening went to Burdette Ketchum, who received the Small Business Award for their work in the community, which includes the marketing and public relations for the Jacksonville Symphony Association and Downtown Vision, Inc.  The award was presented by Stacy Ridenour, Executive Director of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, and Terry Lorince, Executive Director of Downtown Vision, Inc.  Before the award was given,  Philip Pan, Concert Master at the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, and his wife Rhonda Cassano, Flautist at the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra performed Simple Gifts.  The award was accepted by William Ketchum, President of Burdette Ketchum.

“We are absolute believers in what the arts can do for communities.” –William Ketchum

Next was the Educator Award, which went to Charlotte Mabrey, Percussionist and Professor at the University of North Florida.  This was presented by Dr. Deborah Murphy,  Chair of the UNF Department of Art & Design, and Fabio Mechetti, Music Director and Principal Conductor for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.  Gary Donald, a recently graduated student of Charlotte Mabrey, enlivened the audience with a Marimba performance in honor of his beloved teacher and mentor.

“Charlotte Mabrey is admired for the brilliance & innovativeness of her performance.”  –Dr. Deborah Murphy

The third award, the Individual Hall of Fame Award, went to Ann Baker (1937-2011) and was accepted by her daughter Missy Boney.  Stephanie South’s soprano blew the audience away as she performed an a capella arrangement of  Bach’s Contada #78.

Helen Lane, easily the funniest presenter of the evening, shared charming anecdotes about Ann Baker’s life and the founding of the Arts Assembly, which later became the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville.  Over the course of her life, Ann Baker touched nearly every cultural organization in Jacksonville.

“Jacksonville is truly blessed to have had Ann Baker.”  –Helen Lane

The fourth award, the first ever Innovator Award, was presented to Christopher D. Flagg, President of FLAGG Design Studio, for his work with the Downtown Development Review Board and other work to improve the city of Jacksonville.  Flagg was affectionately referred to as “Mr. Pro Bono”.  The award was presented by David Engdahl, Innovation Committee Chair for the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, and Jim Bailey, President of Bailey Publishing and Communication, and Al Letson presented the following spoken word performance about the city of Jacksonville.

The final award of the evening, the Individual Award, went to Susan Greene, for whom a mere title simply does not do justice to the work she has done within our community.  Currently on the boards of WJCT and Cathedral Arts Project, she has in some way contributed to most of the cultural institutions in our city through her advocacy and selfless hard work.  Diane Brunet Garcia commended her for exhibiting

“the value of a force of will.”

The award was presented by Hope McMath, Executive Director of The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, and Kyle Reese, Senior Pastor at Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church, and The Cathedral Arts Children’s Dance Troupe from Andrew Robinson Elementary performed a Native American dance.  Greene was noted as being well informed, trusted, respected, tenacious, and intentional.

“Susan is an eloquent advocate for the arts.”  –Pastor Kyle Reese

Following the awards ceremony, the crowd was directed across the hall to the studio of Christina Foard, who also designed the cover art for the invitations and note cards.  Inside the studio there were rooms set up for each of the featured artists to exhibit their work and interact with guests.  The event was beautiful, the artists engaging, and the food fantastic.

Jim Draper

Larry WilsonYvonne C. Lazano

Yvonne C. Lazano

Painting in far back by Barry Wilson

So…..
- Here’s to docents who daily share with whole classes of children allowing them as individuals to make a connection to amazing art and gardens in a welcoming place.
- Here’s to trustees and board committee members who encourage and lead us toward our shared vision.
- Here’s to community partners that broaden our vision and strengthen our resolve to honor Mrs. Cummer’s desire “to create a Museum…for the benefit of all of the people of the City of Jacksonville.”*
- Here’s to individual volunteers, FOCUS Cummer, Council, Cummelia, and Up & Cummers who give time and creativity to raise funds and friends and “get the word out.”
- Here’s to visitors of all ages and interests who add life, energy and meaning to The Cummer.
- Here’s to our members, at all levels of giving as you can, who underwrite this great Cummer experience.

We are ever grateful for the power and depth of your generosity.  Thank you.  Thank you. Thank you.

*from Ninah M.H. Cummer’s Last Will and Testament

Cultural Fusion Organizations:

Jacksonville Children’s Chorus

Cultural Council

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

Florida Theatre

Friday Musicale

Jacksonville Symphony Orcehestra

Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens

Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville

Museum of Science & History

Jacksonville Public Library

The Ritz Theatre and Museum

Theatre Jax

WJCT

For 20 years, Richard pushed all thought of this period from his mind. But, like so many war veterans, he was haunted by his war experiences. As an artist, he turned to his painting as a way to process the range of emotions he still carried with him. Using black and white and shades of gray, the paintings that emerged, unlike his previous more traditional representational work, are mysterious, dark and somehow, unnervingly beautiful abstracted references to the landscape, the battles, and the struggle of the Vietnam War.

Richard Chamberlain’s “The Year of the Sheep” exhibition is being offered by The Cummer as part of collaboration among Jacksonville’s art and cultural organizations known as Cultural Fusion. The focus of this collaboration is to bring attention to our veterans and war. “The Year of the Sheep” will be on view at the Milner Gallery through July 8.  Come visit The Cummer for our Community Opening on April 3^rd to meet Richard Chamberlain and experience his visual journey through his memories of war. There will also be music and art-making opportunities.

The Idea

Local artist and arts advocate Jim Draper, has recently undertaken a new project via Kickstarter, which will be showcased at The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens in the Spring of 2013.  The final project will be a digital publication that acts as a virtual counterpart to an exhibition here at the museum called Feast of Flowers, celebrating the 500th anniversary of the first European contact with Florida.  The exhibit will include large format paintings and prints, a lecture series, museum classes and programs, and the digital publication.  The inclusion of the digital publication not only allows for a more dynamic experience within the Museum, but allows audiences worldwide – including educators and students – to have access to and enjoy the rich culture and history related through the exhibition.

The Content

The digital publication will include images, narrative-style writing, philosophy, and critique by artist Jim Draper, as well as essays by artists, ecologists, biologists, philosophers, historians, writers and others who will contribute to Draper’s unanswered, dynamic questions of this fragile state.

“My goal is to alert as many users/viewers as possible to the tenuous relationship between man and his finite environment, and to suggest the need for stewardship of it.” –Jim Draper

Some examples of programs that have already happened as a result of the Cultural Fusion initiative include:

• The Cummer Museum and Players by the Sea worked together to create a play about the life of Ninah Cummer.
• The Jacksonville Symphony and MOSH collaborated on a performance of Holst’s “The Planets, with a reception and a show at the Bryan Gooding Planetarium prior to the concert.
• The Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens has opened up its member rates to all members of Cultural Fusion organizations for their Zoo Fit exercise class.
• The Jacksonville Public Library is bringing Tim O’Brien, author of The Things They Carried, a novel about the war in Vietnam, to Jacksonville and The Cummer Museum will have an exhibit featuring paintings by Richard Chamberlain, painted after he returned from Vietnam call The Year of the Sheep.  Other organizations around town will be doing military themed programs as well.

The Zoo Fit aerobic walks are led by Katie Buckley, an experienced marathon runner, past tri-athlete, and police academy PT instructor.  Ms. Buckley has also trekked many of the world’s non-technical mountains and trails, including the Santa Teresa trail to Machu Picchu, circumnavigating Mont Blanc through Switzerland, Italy and France, Mount Toubkal in Morocco, the highest peak in North Africa, Spain’s Camino de Santiago, the 7 Capes Trek in Turkey, and most recently Torres del Paine in Patagonia, Chili.

Kangaroos, a sunrise on the Trout River, and standing mere inches from the peacocks.

I have personally been going to the Saturday classes for a few months now, and not only is Katie a great instructor, but it is a wonderful way to start the weekend.  Every week we  experience some aspect of the Zoo that is outside of what you see during regular business hours.  I have been able to see zookeepers feeding a leopard, peacocks have come right up to us, and I know more than I every thought I needed to about the scientific importance of frogs.

For more information on the Zoo Fit program and the other programs offered, please see the Zoo’s website.

This particular field trip marks the beginning of a collaboration between the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens and the Clara White Mission.  Ju’Coby Pittman-Peele - CEO/President of the Clara White Mission is the newest member of our Board of Directors.  Our staff will also be working the staff of the Mission on the setup of their Museum and recognition of the historical importance of the Mission and its founder.  We are all looking forward to the exciting events we will be working toward, and will keep you updated on new developments as we go along.

Call To Action:  Skip a MEAL for Clara

Do you know what hunger feels like?  Do you know that painful, empty, grumbling feeling in your stomach?  That dizzy feeling that comes from skipping a meal?  Think about having that feeling – all the time.  Your remedy is to eat a meal.  But for thousands of homeless people in Jacksonville, that is not an option.

Now you can help us feed our city’s homeless and ease their pain.  Join the ‘Skip A Meal for Clara’ Campaign.  Give whatever you can.  We will give food – and hope – to the homeless.  Thank you.

Donate Here

Please go LIKE Clara White Mission to learn more about the organization, and stay tuned here for more history of Dr. Eartha White, the Clara White Mission, and our founder Ninah Cummer.

The first of these field trips occurred over this past summer.  We went to the Museum of Science & History (MOSH) and to the studio space of Christina Foard in the AT&T building downtown.  During this trip we were able to tour the brand new Brian Gooding Planetarium and explore the museum, as well as get a look inside the mind of the artist and learn about the Off the Grid program sponsored by Downtown Vision, Inc.