At the Opening event, Members will enjoy: Classical Music by The String Group, Plein Air Artists in the Olmsted Garden, Comments by Director Hope McMath, and a dance performance by Jennifer Muller / The Works.   So please join us in our celebration, as we bring this beautiful new Garden to the community.  This event is free for Members, and $15 for Non-member Guests.

Marie Laurencin (French, 1885 – 1956), Woman with Guitar (Femme et Mandolin), 1943, oil on canvas, 33 ¾ x 29 3/8 in., Gift from Jack and Marcelle Bear, in honor of John S. Bunker, AG.1995.2.1.

Beginning February 17^th the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens kicks off its series of Sunday Classical Concerts for 2013.  The first concert in the series will feature Russian music performed by The Lantana String Quartet to coincide with, The Tsars’ Cabinet: Two Hundred Years of Russian Decorative Arts under the Romanovs, on exhibit at The Cummer.

The Lantana String Quartet is made up of four members of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and includes violinist Melissa Pierson Barrett, violinist Anna Genest, violist Ellen Olson, and cellist Betsy Federman.

Following Sunday Classical Concerts will fall on Sunday, April 7 & Sunday, September 22 with performers to be determined.

The concerts will be held in the Hixon Auditorium at 1:30 p.m and are free to members.  Non-members may also attend the concerts with paid museum admission.

Since space is limited and these concerts normally fill to capacity, please call 904.899.6038 to make your required reservations and ensure your seat at the performance.

In addition, the museum’s Tree Cup Café will be offering a Sunday Brunch prior to each concert.  We have either an 11:30 a.m. seating or 12:30 p.m. seating available.  Fixed Price Menu is $24.95 per person, plus tax, beverage not included.  Reservations for brunch can be made at the same time as concert reservations.

Purchase a gift membership by December 17, 2012, to receive 10% off any level of Cummer membership.  A tax-deductible gift for you and a year-long gift for your family and friends.  Contact the membership office TODAY at (904) 899-6007 or wstanley@cummer.org and join now for this amazing year at The Cummer.

One of The Cummer’s signature events is the annual VSA Festival. The Festival brings in children with varying levels of disabilities from all over the community to come to the Museum to interact with the art and gardens. This year’s Festival served more than 2,200 students from 49 schools in the surrounding four counties. Here is a quote from one of the parents who experienced the Festival:

“It was absolutely magical for us. My son, who we are not able to take many places, simply came alive at the Museum.  My husband doesn’t often have a chance to see Ben flourish like that, so it offered him such a great deal of hope for our son.”

Cummer in the Classroom and The Weaver Academy of Art are two art education programs at The Cummer that serve more than 3,000 children (Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grades) and more than 200 teachers in nine inner city schools, of which an average of 90% of the students qualify for free and reduced lunch. This initiative provides outreach in to the classroom, Museum tours, free art classes, a scholarship program for Camp Cummer to recognize outstanding participation and much more. Here is a quote from a parent whose child participated in these programs:

“My son and I have taken advantage of this opportunity to attend The Cummer for the past three years. He is always excited to know that a class is scheduled and loves sharing his creativity with family and friends.”

The Cummer offers art classes including Drop-In Art, which allows children ages 4 to 10 to explore the galleries or gardens and experiment with a different art process, Art for Two, where children ages 3 to 5 can create art with their favorite adult and Art Adventures, where children ages 6 to 12 can experience different types of art. The Cummer also has Camp Cummer where children can be immersed in fine art. One elementary camper said:

“I love printmaking because I have so many copies that I can give one to everyone I love!”

Your contributions help us continue these programs and allow us to reach a larger audience.  Thank you for supporting The Cummer!

Click Here to Donate.

Credit Line: Louis Valtat (French, 1869 - 1952), Valtat and his Son (Valtat et son Fils), 20th century, oil on canvas, 23 3/4 x 29 1/4 in., Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. Lane, Jr., AG.1989.12.1.

Need ideas for Father’s Day? Become a member of The Cummer at any level, from June 1- June 14, the DAD in your life will be entered for a chance to win a round of golf from one of our gracious donors:

• Royal St. Augustine Golf & Country Club
• Fiddler’s Green at Cecil Field Golf Club
• Mill Cove Golf Club
• Hidden Hills Country Club

Father’s Day is a way to honor and recognize those special men in our lives who do so much for us every day. The Cummer wants to honor them by offering the chance to win these special gifts to those who become members from June 1 through June 14.  In order to sign up for membership and be included in this promotion, contact Wendy Stanley at 904-899-6007 or by e-mail.

Art: Your donation to The Cummer will help continue to conserve, display and interpret our growing permanent collection of nearly 5,000 works of art.

Gardens: Your contribution will help our upcoming efforts to resort the Olmsted Garden. A generous donor has already agreed to match up to$200,000 in donations. With your gift, we will be able to reach this goal and add-on to our magnificent gardens.

Photo by Ingrid Damiani

Education: Your support will help provide school children with access to the Museum through Cummer in the Classroom, our outreach program that supports over 4,000 children in the urban core.

Thank you for your continued support to The Cummer!

Credit line: Nicklaus Weckmann the Elder (German, active 1481 – 1526), Madonna and Child, c. 1490-1500, limewood, 47 ½ in. high. Purchased with funds from The Cummer Council, AP.1979.2.1.

Need any ideas for Mother’s Day?  Why not purchase a Cummer membership for your mother as a token of appreciation.

Purchase a membership to The Cummer at any level from May 1 through May 11 and you will be entered for a chance to win one of these fabulous Mother’s Day gifts from these gracious donors:

• MOJO No. 4 Urban Barbeque & Whiskey Bar: $25 value
• Brick Restaurant:$25 value
• Fuji Sushi:$10
• The Golf Club of Amelia Island Resort: Foursome Golf Pass

The Cummer wants to honor all mothers by offering these special gifts to those who become members from May 1 through May 11.

To sign up for membership and be included in this promotion, please contact Wendy Stanley at (904) 899-6007 or wstanley@cummer.org.