Don't Miss the Exhibitions at The Cummer

Now on exhibit at The Cummer are a few shows that are definitely shows that are not to be missed… but aren't they all? The very impressive Collectors' Choice: Works of Art from Jacksonville Collections runs through Sunday, September 12, 2010 so you still have a little time to catch this one. It is truly amazing what Jacksonville collectors have hanging on their walls. And with this very special show you don't have to wait for an invitation to see amazing and important works from the likes of Mark Rothko and Hans Hoffman to Winslow Homer and Fernando Botero. There really is something for everyone in this show.

And don't miss Jazz ABZ: An A to Z Collection of Jazz Portraits by Paul Rogers with poems by Wynton Marsalis and Go Figure: Twentieth Century Works On Paper from The Cummer Collection. Both of these shows close August 8. In the first show, artist Paul Rogers teamed with legendary jazz musician Wynton Marsalis to create the book Jazz ABZ. The portraits for this book are on display along with the poems inspired by the greats of jazz. Go Figure showcases how the human figure, or fragments of it, have been interpreted over the last century. Included in this show are works from the Cummer's permanent collection by artists such as John Steuart Curry, Eberhard Eggers, Joseph Jeffers Dodge, Henry Moore, and Hiram Williams.

And don't forget that Tuesday nights are free thanks to generous sponsorship by THE PLAYERS.

Motions and Monotypes – Making Art in the New Year

Start the year off by creating something special with that special little someone in your life. The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is hosting a special art-making morning for children ages 3 to 5 accompanied by an adult. Guests will take a close look at line and movement in the painting “Abstraction” by Rolph Scarlett. Then students will create music with percussion instruments and print monotypes by connecting their movements to the lines they make in their artwork.

Members $10 per pair, Non-members $15 per pair. (904) 355-0630.

RAM - Saturday, November 7 - 10am-4pm

THIS WEEK
We'll be helping the City celebrate the Week of Valor this weekend with an Acrobatic Circus honoring our local police, fire and rescue heros.

One of the stars of the show will be a 1926 antique LaFrance Hook and Ladder antique fire engine on display. It will be joined by the city's largest modern fire truck, a big red battle station in which kids will enjoy getting to sit in the rear cab. At the nearby riverfront, the Jacksonville Fire Department's impressive fire boat, "Marine One," will be on display for viewers and will perform demonstrations of its high firing water cannons.

Veteran firemen will be on the scene to discuss the history of firefighting in Jacksonville, and there will be a book signing for the Jacksonville Historical Society's award-winning book, The Great Fire of 1901. There will also be displays of historic fire-related memorabilia from the Jacksonville Fire Museum and an extensive showcase of antique uniforms, equipment, badges and historical pieces from our local police.

We have a ton going on this weekend! Magician tournaments. World class entertainment in Rocco the Acrobat (gravity-defying stunts of Chinese pole balancing, acrobatics, juggling, a unicycle and more) The Leroy Sisters (mutant clowns, dancing, singing & comedy) and The Rick, Rocket and Daisy Show (circus dogs, unicycles and acrobatics). Oh yes, there's more. The Fabulous Clown Family, balloon artists, belly dancers, and eight different musical groups performing in the market. This week's headline musical act on RAM's River Stage will be acclaimed songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist Kristi Stice. And David Ferman, the 16-year-old national champion juggler is back. new farms, returning farms and friends, new artists, new food vendors, and an all around great time. And the Art League will be offering classes for $20.

COMING UP
November 21 we'll be celebrating Biketoberfest. Did you know the we are the only large market in the country with FREE BIKE VALET. This is courtesy of BikeJax! Of course there is more, there always is and there are always a few surprises.

The holidays will soon be upon us. Isn't it time to start purchasing those gifts?

VOLUNTEERS
We always need new volunteers! Shannon has a new e-mail, so update your address book and while you're at it, let her know when you want to join the best volunteer group in the nation! Our vols get the only currently available RAM t-shirts and invites to exclusive special events. Not to mention the awesome feeling one gets helping us pull off the best thing to happen since the river.

Saturday at RAM

THIS WEEK
As if RAM isn't batty enough, our Halloween party should kick off this wild weekend. Vendors will have treats for the kiddies who come dressed for frights! And your pets may also find a few treats if they don their best costumes. And don't forget your costume either as we are having a costume contest! We are certain to see plenty of Gators and Dawgs. We will have our biggest line-up of street performers ever, ten musical groups and zombies dancing on the stage. And if they aren't scary enough you should stop by and get your flu shot.

We have a ton going on this weekend! Magician tournaments. World class entertainment, new farms, returning farms and friends, new artists, new food vendors, and an all around great time. And the Art League will be offering classes for $20.

COMING UP
We'll be helping the city celebrate the Week of Valor on November 7. RAM will be honoring our local police, fire and rescue heros with many activities and cool equipment/displays. And on November 21 we'll be celebrating Biketoberfest. Did you know the we are the only large market in the country with FREE BIKE VALET. This is courtesy of BikeJax! Of course there is more, there always is and there are always a few surprises.

The holidays will soon be upon us. Isn't it time to start purchasing those gifts?

VOLUNTEERS
We always need new volunteers! Shannon has a new e-mail, so update your address book and while you're at it, let her know when you want to join the best volunteer group in the nation! Our vols get the only currently available RAM t-shirts and invites to exclusive special events. Not to mention the awesome feeling one gets helping us pull off the best thing to happen since the river.

Eco-Art Event

R.Roberts Gallery is hosting an evening for naturalists and wildlife art lovers. From 6- 9 p.m. special guest, Robert E. Hall, will present the Audubon Centennial Edition of John James Audubon’s “The Birds of America” along with a film highlighting the important contributions Audubon made to the areas of wildlife art and North American bird cataloging.

This presentation will also include a wine and cheese reception. Your $10 donation at the door will benefit St. Johns Riverkeeper. Please RSVP to R.Roberts, (904) 388-1188, by October 22.

Success at RAM begets New Avondale Shop

After eight weeks showing her own works at the Riverside Arts Market, Jaye Richardson of Springfield opens up shop in Avondale. Richardson calls Muse’s Corner an indoor version of the Riverside Artist Market. She is selling her own hand made candles as well a wide range of unique and one of a kind artisan creations. The shop features paintings, pottery, bath and body, jewelry, clothing, accessories, glass art, pet products, paper art and specialty greeting cards, fiber art, home decor and gourmet food. Get the full story from the Times-Union article>>

New gallery to open in Avondale

Avondale Artworks opens Friday, August 14. The new gallery is located at 3568 St Johns Avenue, and features a variety of very talented artists from north Florida. The gallery's web site is still under construction but Brian Gray stopped by the new gallery and took a look. See what he had to say over at The Outer Box.

Live Art Auction at R. Roberst Gallery

Riverside and Avondale have certainly become THE place for art in Jacksonville. Every Saturday, you can't miss with RAM. And if you didn't get your art fix satisfied there, we have many of the best galleries and certainly one of the finest museums in the Cummer, not to mention all the talented artists who live here.

August 1, R, Roberts Gallery brings you the opportunity to participate in the excitement of a live art auction. On the blocks are original paintings, sculpture, stone lithography, serigraphs and Easter European blown glass. Everything is available for preview during their regular business hours so drop by and take a look.

If you see something you like and can't wait, you can buy it on the spot. AND because you are reading this, you can take a 25% discount. Just download the coupon and bring it with you. The auction is limited to 60 people, so make your reservation now. At the very least stop by for the V.I.P. PREVIEW PARTY August 1st from 4-6pm featuring Live Music, Cocktails and delightful yummies.

This Weekend at RAM!

The River Stage will be very busy again tomorrow. Tyler Denning starts things off singing and playing guitar at 10:30am. Matt McLaughlin takes stage at 11AM, and then Players by the Sea presents a special excerpt from the musical 'Hair' at 11:30. Will Pearsall, our featured performer, finishes the day playing acoustic/blues/folk music from 12:30 to 3:30pm. See you under the bridge!

3rd Thursday Celebration

The third time is the charm, if you missed the 1st Wednesday Jacksonville Art Walk and the 1st Friday Walk in 5 Points, then do not miss Avondale’s newest excuse to party.

Join us this and every third Thursday of the month from 5-8.

Featuring art being created on the streets, amazing food & drink specials at our fine and casual dining restaurants, complimentary cocktails and wine tastings in many of our historic shoppes, incredible one-night-only boutique sales and MORE. Plan a date for this wonderful new monthly event!

This Weekend!

This Friday is First Friday in Five Points. Among the usual funs things to do is Anomaly's 4th Birthday Party! Stop in and wish them happy birthday and enjoy… tasty treats… delicious drinks… stylish threads… plus, the one and only, nickFRESH playin all your jamz. Flux Gallery has work from Heather Blanton, Logan Zawacki, Leigh-Ann Sullivan, Mario Peralta, Aimee Dodds, and Patrick Morris. And Logan unveils his new book- The Excavation of Mushroon Island. Could this be proof that the Super Mario Brothers mythology existed a long time ago on a lost chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean?

Start your Saturday with the Riverside Arts Market under the Fuller Warren bridge… music… art… food… art… fun… and… ART! 10am-4pm. Stop in early for the best selection! Don't miss our featured Acoustic/Folk/Rock performer Lauren Fincham with Mike Pearson from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Also appearing are Domenic Patruno at 10:30am and Dr. Jeff and Mr. Mike at 11:15am.

And if you don't get enough art at RAM, stop in at Bogda Gallery for the Franklin Matthews opening from 8-11pm. Bogda is located at 1253 McDuff Avenue acroos the street from Lee High School.

Free Gallery Tour This Weekend

New Show at the Cummer

You have heard about them on Oprah and NPR's In Context, now you have teh chance to see them in person. On May 12, The Cummer presents the art of the quilters of Gee's Bend, Alabama in the exhibition, The Quilts of Gee's Bend. The show runs through Aug. 2. The quilts, created as necessities by the local women have been praised as outstanding works of modern American art.

Admission is $10. The museum is at 829 Riverside Avenue. For information, call 904-356-6857 or visit www.cummer.org.

Submissions a now being accepted for the April's Bird Show.
All work has to be bird related and submitted
to shopbogda[at]gmail.com by March 23rd to take part.

If you are into beading or want to try something new, Bead Here Now has some great classes and events scheduled. Visit their site for more details. Bead Here Now is located at 1051 Park St 5 Points . 904-475-0004.

Monday, March 2
Basic Wire Link Earrings with Catina
Time: 6:30-7:30 Fee:$15.00 + material

Wednesday, March 11
Wire link bracelet with Shannon
Time:6:30-9 Fee $20.00 + material

Saturday, March 14
Introducing the Itty Bitty Smithy
Time: 12-2pm Fee:$30. (includes material) Class limited to 4

Thursday, March 19
Basic Beading with Shannon
Time: 6:30-8:00 Fee: $15.00 + material

Sunday, March 22
Beading for Sassy Seniors-
Time:2:30-3:30 Fee: $10 + material (class starts promptly at 2:30 so arrive early to pick out your goodies)

Wednesday, March 25
Herringbone wire weave pendant with Shannon-
Time:11:30-12:30 Fee: $10 + material

Wednesday, March 25
Interchangable necklace with Shannon-
Time:6:30-8:30 Fee $15 + material

Space is limited so please sign up early!
$10 classes with student ID (does not include material)
Classes start promptly at 6:30 so please arrive around 6 or shortly after if you need to pick out your beads.

Peter Max at R. Roberts Gallery

Meet the Artist Peter Max
at R. Roberts Gallery
3606 Saint Johns Avenue
Jacksonville, Florida

Saturday, March 7th, 6-9pm
and
Sunday, March 8th, 12noon-3pm

RSVP please:
1-904-388-1188

Ask about the special opportunity
exclusively for patrons of R. Roberts Gallery.
You must call the number above to find out what it is.

RAM almost a reality

The Riverside Arts Market is set to launch Saturday, April 4. If you haven't yet heard, RAM will be the weekly market under the Fuller Warren bridge for artisans of all types – from painters and jewelers to herb growers and musicians. The Times-Union has a good recap of the recent meeting held at First Guaranty Bank as does The Urban Core. It is also a topic of discussion at Urban Jacksonville here.

If you are interested, visit the new RAM website. RAM is being brought to reality by Riverside Avondale Preservation.

Volunteers Needed!

RAP still has needs for volunteers to help with the Arts Festival in the following areas:

• Assist Artists
• Assist with Silent Auction
• Work in the Children's Zone
• Sell T-Shirts

Three shifts are available:

1. 9:30am to Noon
2. Noon to 2:30pm
3. 2:30pm to 5:30pm.

Please respond to Carmen Godwin, RAP Executive Director and provide your name, email, phone, day and time availability. Elaine Burnett, Volunteer Committee, will assign a spot for you and will confirm it with you. You may email her directly or call her at 389-4517.

Your help is very much appreciated and you are sure to have a great time.

First Friday on the 4th in 5 Points

The big holiday weekend
starts in 5 Points
5-8pm
So get your party started
with bicycle decorating,
a chalk walk contest for artists,
shopping, live music,
art and great food!