Although Jacksonville was a rainy mess on Friday, June 14th, the Motown Concert here at the Cummer was a huge success! The evening began with ominous clouds, roaring thunder, and wind that viciously rustled the leaves on the trees and the flowers on the shrubs in the garden. Before another round of pouring rain began, our fearless leader, Museum Director Hope McMath suggested we hold the event inside of the museum in the Terry Gallery and in the Loggia. Despite the frenzy that the rain could have caused, the Motown Concert was just as warm, inviting, and nostalgic as it would have been outside minus the soggy grass. In the Terry Gallery, the attendees of the concert danced under the white drapes hanging from the ceiling, and in the Loggia, a delicious array of food catered by The TreeCup Café laid in wait for the lively crowd of Motown enthusiasts.  Food, beer, and wine was for sell at the elegant stall created by the TreeCup Cafe but many people brought picnic baskets filled with their own goodies.

By a quarter after seven the local band KTG was in full swing and the museum was filled with the Motown sounds made famous by Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Temptations, and Marvin Gaye. The dance floor was anything but still as attendees of the concert expressed their joy in the form of dance and sing-a-longs. Because the skies cleared up halfway through the concert, the attendees got a chance to tour the gardens and enjoy the warm night, the beautiful flowers, and the breeze from the St. Johns River.

Augusta Savage (American, 1892 – 1962), The Diving Boy, c. 1939, bronze, 32 ½ in., Bequest of Ninah M. H. Cummer, C.0.602.1.

Join Hope McMath, Director of The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens along with Chief Curator, Holly Keris as they discuss Florida’s little-known connection to the Harlem Renaissance.  Learn about Jacksonville’s native sons James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson, along with another local artist, Augusta Savage, each of whom had unique ties to the Harlem Renaissance. The lecture will be followed by cocktails and live music by the Dixie/Swing Quintet featuring Lisa Kelly and JB Scott.

Attendance is $25 for members while non-members will pay $35. Please call (904) 899-6038 to make your required reservations by noon on Monday, November 26.

The Cummer Gallery of Art, built on the site of the home of Arthur Gerrish Cummer and Ninah May Holden Cummer, was dedicated at a glittering reception held on November 10, 1961.

Opening night, November 10, 1961

One thousand guests attended, including Florida Governor Farris Bryant and Jacksonville Mayor Haydon Burns. Governor Bryant said that he “was moved to walk on tiptoes and whisper when confronting the magnificence of the museum.” He felt that “It is impossible to add to the luster, romance or significance…I know of no elevation of spirit in the history of Florida greater than that displayed here.” In the same vein. Mayor Bums added, “The people of Jacksonville have never received a gift comparable in generosity or beauty to the museum… a testament to the heritage of the past and representing the strength and character of those who were leaders of Jacksonville in the past.”

Guests enjoyed music by Gerson Yessin, pianist and members of the I Musici Society.

Opening night in the Museum lobby

The artwork displayed consisted of the works acquired by the Cummers, as well as three special exhibitions: a collection of 51 etchings by the Scottish-American artist James McBey, now part of the Museum’s permanent collection, a selection of French paintings on loan from a New York gallery, and an exhibition of American art on loan from the National Academy of Design.

Opening night in the galleries

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

The St. Lawrence String Quartet (SLSQ) is one of the world-class chamber ensembles of its generation.  Since winning both the Banff International String Quartet Competition and Young Concert Artists International Auditions in 1992, the quartet has delighted audiences with its spontaneous, passionate and dynamic performances.  Since 1998 the SLSQ has held the position of Ensemble in Residence at Stanford University, while maintaining its position as visiting artists at the University of Toronto, as well as continuing its long association with the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC.

At The Cummer, the quartet will present works by Mozart, Prokofiev and Schubert, and a work by Johann Sebastian Bach, who was composing great music at the same time that Augustus II the Strong established the first European porcelain manufactory in Meissen, Germany. Our inclusion of Bach is a tribute to the Ralph H. and Constance I. Wark Collection of Early Meissen Porcelain housed at The Cummer.

For concert reservations, please call (904) 899-6008.

Christina Foard, John Beard, & Steve Williams

Ongoing – December 8th
Take Your Seat Online Auction
Featuring three unique ETHAN ALLEN chairs as interpreted by artists Christina Foard, John Beard, and Steve Williams.  To find out more, or to bid on a chair, please go to Bidding For Good.

Friday, October 7th, 11:30am-1pm
Lunch & Learn:
How to Create your Own Liveable Elegance
Hosted by Interior Designer Kellie Jauregui and the ETHAN ALLEN design team, you will learn how to transform your room into an updated haven that you will absolutely love.  Bring some friends and enjoy a catered lunch while you get the inside edge on the latest tips and trends.

We are pleased to announce that our 50^th Golden Anniversary Ball on November 5, 2011, has sold out! We are grateful to all of our loyal members, donors and supporters who responded so enthusiastically to attend this very special evening.  We are still getting calls about attending the Ball and if you would like to be on our waiting list, please call Kim Pomar at (904) 899-6038.

Just as a warning this is a long video, but it is definitely worth the time to hear Travis’s story.

(L to R) Travis, Age 20. Brooke, Age 15. Devonte, Age 18. Photographs courtesy of Ingrid Damiani.

Come see the faces of education in Jacksonville.  This Tuesday evening, September 13 from 4-9pm, we will be hosting a Community Opening for One in Three: Lets Solve Our Dropout Crisis.  As always, Tuesday night is FREE to the public thanks to The Players.  Join us for an evening full of fun activities:

Video Recording

• Our new youth team, ONEpush. is starting an experiment in online democracy. The project seeks to get as many people as possible on digital video talking about their own experience in school. They know that every person has a story about a person, a moment or an idea that changed the course of their education. Speak out today—visit the Art Connections area for more information on how YOU can participate in this innovative project.

Art Project

• Museum Educators will help you make a collage self-portrait and poetry.

Galleries

• Meet the students featured in the exhibition and get the conversation started about the state of the education system in Duval County.

Filming

• WJCT video about the Campaign. People can go and sit in the round room to listen to some of the students stories.

Music - Enjoy popcorn and lemonade, while watching live performances in the (newly renovated) Auditorium:

MC: Flip Padilla

Musical Performers:

• 4:30pm: Flip introduces ONEpush group
  • ONEpush is a new youth team whose mission is to take the ONE by ONE campaign to young people in Jacksonville. ONEpush is creating fresh ways to get students and youth engaged in the process of talking about what our schools need—and taking action! They are creating unique ways to speak the message of education reform through musical performances, art projects or original videos. ONEpush is a group of high school and college students from all over the city who have one focus: Ensure that the voices of youth are HEARD!
  • approx 2-3songs{20-30min}

• 5pm: Flip introduces Ron Rodriguez
  • Ron Rodriguez is a veteran of the local Jacksonville, Florida club scene having played in both cover and original bands since January 2002. He ventured out in 2003 as a solo acoustic performer and began creating a platform for his music, writing pop songs with a rock sensibility, while creating a vision for his band and sound. Over the years, the group has featured some of the best musicians Jacksonville, FL has to offer. Each has influences and shaped the sound,direction and message of the music.
  • vocalist/acoustic guitar
  • 5 songs
  • 20-25min

• 5:30pm: Flip introduces Jessica Amendola
  • She loves living life as simply as possible. One day she wants to live in a shack on the beach and wake up every morning to watch the sunrise. One of her favorite quotes is “Shower the people you love with love”. – James Taylor
  • female vocalist/acoustic guitar
  • approx 2-3songs

• 6:00pm: Trey Csar- ONExONE Remarks/Introduction of students

• 6:15pm: Flip introduces ONEpush group
  • ONEpush is a new youth team whose mission is to take the ONE by ONE campaign to young people in Jacksonville. ONEpush is creating fresh ways to get students and youth engaged in the process of talking about what our schools need—and taking action! They are creating unique ways to speak the message of education reform through musical performances, art projects or original videos. ONEpush is a group of high school and college students from all over the city who have one focus: Ensure that the voices of youth are HEARD!
  • OnexOne street team
  • approx 2-3songs

• 6:45pm: Flip introduces Felicia Nicole
  • Felicia Nicole has been singing since the age of 5, and performing since the age of 15. Singing in local competitions in Jacksonville, Starke,Tallahassee, Tampa and Florida, Miss Nicole has really made a name for herself in her city. Felicia Nicole was pronounced the winner of Jax Idol in 2008, and was asked to open for R&B singer Jon B. In April of 2011 she opened for Jive Recording Artist Miguel and has recently opened for Ginuwine.
  • female vocalist
  • approx 2-3songs

• 7:10pm: Blameless sound check

• 7:25pm Flip introduces Blameless
  • In a world where success comes easier in doing wrong than right, Blameless has set themselves apart in living for truth, integrity & character. Our smooth poetic words & innovative sound make you want to hip-hop-rock-funk-pop for your soul!

In the spring of 2006, a new genre emerged from the hearts of a Jacksonville, Florida band who call themselves Blameless. The five-piece, multi-talented ‘swock’ band consists of Kirwinn “Kaj” Mike (Lead Vocals/Keyboards), Akeem “Aking” Brailsford (Rapper), Mark “Joules” Taylor (Rapper/Guitar), Stephen “Steve-O” Schnepel (Bass Guitar/Breakdancer), Jason “Jay” Callicott (Percussion), and Colton McCoy (Guitar).