Friday, October 20, 2017

Cummer Museum receives ‘Gold Award’ in exhibition competition


The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is honored to announce it has won the Gold award from the 2017 Southeastern Museum Conference (SEMC) Exhibition Competition for LIFT: Contemporary Expressions of the African American Experience. The competition focuses on exhibitions that are well designed, have educational value, and treat objects with care and respect, showcasing the best in the profession and providing benchmarks for the regional exhibition efforts in southeastern museums. The award was presented to the Museum on September 12, 2017, in the under $25,000 budget category.

LIFT was a collection of works by 10 local artists responding to Jacksonville’s rich artistic African American heritage, and focused on creating an artful platform to discuss issues around race, equity, and community. Participating artists created works utilizing the original lyrics to “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” a hymn written by Jacksonville natives James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson in 1900 for a celebration of Lincoln’s birthday. The works included abstract emotional responses, traditional portraiture, and even completely non-objective pieces. These new works challenged and inspired, giving way to contemporary views of the lyrics and social relevance to the Johnson brothers’ masterpiece. LIFT was on display at the Museum from June 14, 2016 through February 12, 2017.

“There were a total of 18 applicants to the Exhibition Competition this year. I coordinated the 2017 Exhibition Competition as the Southeastern Museums Council regional representative for the Curators Committee of the American Alliance of Museums,” said Denise Drury Homewood, Chair of SEMC 2017 Exhibition Competition & Executive Director of the John W. Bardo Fine & Performing Arts Center.

The SEMC Exhibition Competition honors curatorial excellence in museums across the Southeast. Awarded institutions, like the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, were selected by a committee of three professionals in the museum field using a criteria based on the American Alliance of Museum’s 2012 ‘Standards for Museum Exhibitions and Indicators of Excellence’.

The Southeastern Museum Conference is a networking organization that serves to foster professionalism, mutual support, and communication. The SEMC is an association of museums, museum staff, independent professionals, and corporate partners in 14 states, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. As a nonprofit membership association, SEMC strives to increase educational and professional development opportunities and improve the interchange of ideas, information, and cooperation. The organization seeks to encourage diversity and foster mutual respect and collegiality, and develop new initiatives within the larger context of the profession.

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

   829 Riverside Avenue
   Jacksonville, Florida 32204
   (904) 356-6857
   
Hours of Operation & Admission

Southern Women’s Show day one highlights gymnast Laurie Hernandez



Laurie Hernandez, USA Silver and Gold medal winner in Rio, appeared at the 2017 Southern Women’s Show, Thursday at 4:30 p.m. on the Fashion Stage.  Laurie was interviewed by First Coast News anchorwoman, Keitha Nelson, whom you will recognize from the TV show; “Good Morning Jacksonville”.  The cute and fit seventeen-year-old gymnast answered questions from Keitha, and also numerous questions from very young enthusiastic gymnasts.  Miss Hernandez stayed around and signed copies of her book (“I Got This: To Gold and Beyond”) and took pictures with her fans.  She is very well spoken young woman and was an encourager to those in attendance.  Laurie was brought to the 2017 SWS by the Florida Dairy Farmers.

If you’ve previously attended the Southern Women’s Show, or this is your first time, you will be excited to know that more special days have been designated again this year.  “Girls Night Out” will be Friday October 20th. and admission is only $5 after 5 p.m.  “Mother/Daughter Day” will be held all day on Saturday Oct. 21st.  “Teachers Day” will be on Sun. Oct. 22nd.  Teachers who visit the Show Office (Room 104) on Sunday will receive a FREE ticket to the show!  *Must show your school ID to collect your complimentary ticket.


If you didn’t make it on Thursday – you have a few more days to catch all the action with the 2017 show.  There are lots of vendors, demonstrations, freebies, shows, eating and much more.  Grab your friends, family and coworker’s together as you make a day-of-it at the 2017 Southern Women’s Show in Jacksonville, Florida.
Southern Women’s Show
Dates:         Times:
Thurs. Oct. 19, 2017  10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Fri. Oct. 20     10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sat. Oct. 21     10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sun. Oct. 22     11 a.m. – 5 p.m.


Location: Prime Osborn Center
     1000 Water St.
     Jacksonville, Florida 32204

TICKETS: Advanced Adults $10
     Admission at the door: $12
     $2 off Coupon
     Youth 6 – 12 yrs. $6. 
Group $8 each of 10 or more (Advance Only!)
     Children under 6 FREE with paying adult
Advance Discount Tickets Available at Walgreens
     ($2 off discount coupon)
     Parking $7 - $5 per car.