The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens » DIY & Photo Challenges

Photo Challenge #4: What is Your Florida?

Amber Sesnick — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:59:14 +0000

Calling all photo enthusiasts. The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens invites experienced and novice photographers alike to participate in a photo experience as we explore our newest exhibitions Feast of Flowers & La Florida.

The Cummer chose both of these exhibitions as our own unique way of celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Spanish Landing in Florida. Feast of Flowers focuses on the native plants and animals of our beautiful state, while La Florida is a snapshot of the past 500 years of artwork to come out of the state.

Now for the Challenge! We want to see how YOU see Florida. What does Florida mean to you? What is YOUR Florida? From January 14th through April 7th 2012, send between one and three photos to asesnick@cummer.org, and we we will feature the images here on the Blog and on our Facebook page. Feel free to include a caption for your pictures.

Remember… this is not a contest, but rather a shared photo experience celebrating our beautiful state.

Photo Challenge #3: The Documentary Style of Elizabeth Gilbert

Amber Sesnick — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 13:56:33 +0000

Cooking is a big part of our daily lives, and the little one loves to help out in the kitchen.

Calling all photo enthusiasts. The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens invites experienced and novice photographers alike to participate in a photo experience as we explore our new exhibition Histories in Africa: 20 Years of Photography by Elizabeth Gilbert.

In the same way that Elizabeth Gilbert endeavored to capture the customs and traditions of disappearing ways of life, we challenge you to do the same using your family’s traditions as the subject of documentation. Whether the image is shot with your cell phone or your pride and joy digital, we want to see your attempt to document your own family traditions.

From September 14th through December 30th 2012, send between one and three photos to asesnick@cummer.org. Feel free to include a caption for your pictures. All appropriate photos will be shared on The Cummer’s Flickr account and on Facebook.

Remember… this is not a contest, but rather a shared photo experience celebrating the Elizabeth Gilbert exhibition and the art of documentary.

DIY Challenge: Inspired to Write

Amber Sesnick — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 13:00:15 +0000

The piece below was written by one of our visitors, about one of her favorite pieces at the Museum. Please share with us, your own story inspired by your favorite piece of artwork.

: John Steuart Curry (American, 1897 – 1946), Parade to War, Allegory, 1938, oil on canvas, 47 13/16 x 63 13/16 in., Gift of Barnett Banks, Inc., AG.1991.4.1.

Based on Parade to War

by Cheyenne Columbia Curran

It was before dawn when I rose, Richard was arriving home for the first time since deploying.

It’s been an eternity since seeing my dear and I wished to look my best best the day her arrived home.

I put on my best white dress and tied up my hair with a white ribbon. Everything was perfect today, the weather was bright, and the sweet piping of the birds gave me the happiest of thoughts that entertained my imagination.

I took my handbag off the coat rack that stood aside the front door, and as I walked out I glanced at the beautiful wedding portrait of Richard and I.

He looked so handsome and my mother’s dress was as lovely as it is on me. Starting to feel the years go back and my emotions water over, my eyes
blurred with glossy tears.

Walking down the street that lie only a block away from the port, I passed the recruitment station, where Richard enlisted, and only two month later they gave him a telegraph of acceptance, then a week after training they sent my dear Richard to fight in Germany.

I remember the letters he wrote, they were of his mission, and how much he missed me and my cooking.

The letter I remember most was that of what he saw of the Nazi imprisonment camp.

He saw naked bodies of emaciated Jewish women and children, and there was nothing he could do about it at that time, until the final raid had been carried
out by the Airmen, and that ended the mission.

About a month ago his letters stopped coming, then a week ago I received a telegraph that said “Due to the successful Operation, all infantry service members will be returning, however all mail out posting will be cut off, thank you.”

So I’m expecting to see him march in ranks, and I’ll be the woman to greet him and be by his side.

“When I arrived, there was a big crowd of women, children, older men and women, all waiting for the same thing, “Our heroes”.

The USS Hamilton sounded a loud horn, and let down its ramp.

Unloading the long awaited passengers. What we’ve all been anticipating for was the opening of the hatched that kept
our men from us.

The crowd watched in silence as policemen who held back the crowd watched in silence as well.

The door was a heavy steel and when turned it shrieked like a banshee.

An ominous air let out, and I saw among the infantry men who’s faced were drained from the sight of war, was the uniform of my ghostly husband, who’s cheek bones stuck out, and eyes sunk in.

The battalion commander sounded a marching cadence, and I thought “Even in death our love will go on”.

So I marched alongside my love as he grasp my side and swung in rhythm holding the butt of his gun.

Photo Challenge #2: Gardens & Landscape

Amber Sesnick — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 13:00:25 +0000

April is National Garden Month AND National Landscape Architecture Month. Here at The Cummer, we thought this would be a great time to highlight The Cummer Gardens! In honor of these celebrations, we are starting our second Photo Challenge. We are asking YOU to share images of your favorite spots in our Gardens. Feel free to send new or old images that are realistic, abstract, or digitally enhanced. As a matter of fact, we love seeing the really old images of people enjoying the Gardens over the years.

From April 1st – 30th, send between one and three photos to asesnick@cummer.org. All appropriate photos will be shared on The Cummer’s Flickr account and on Facebook.

Remember… this is not a contest, but rather a shared photo experience celebrating Gardens, Landscape Architecture, and creative expression.

Photo Challenge #1: Reflections of Light on the St. Johns River

Amber Sesnick — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:00:26 +0000

Calling all photo enthusiasts. The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens invites experienced and novice photographers alike to join the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens in this first time photo experience as we explore the beauty of the St. Johns River.

In the same way that the Impressionist painters endeavored to capture reflected light, we challenge you to do the same using the St. Johns River as your muse. Whether the image is shot with your cell phone or your pride and joy digital, we want to see your attempt to capture a reflected images or reflected light along the River.

From February 16 through May 5, 2012, send between one and three photos to lstevens@cummer.org. All appropriate photos will be shared on The Cummer’s Flickr account and on Facebook.

Remember… this is not a contest, but rather a shared photo experience celebrating Impressionism and creative expression.