Cummer Museum Gardens are full of blossoms this May

Here in JAX, we didn’t get a lot of rain in April, but the flowers have been watered and are blooming nicely at the Cummer Museum of Art & Garden.  Any day in May will be an intriguing adventure in entertainment, culture, art and beauty.  Grab your calendars and make plans to bring the family, or invite a guest, to one of these wonderful educational opportunities.

Florida Blue Free Tuesday – Each Tues. Evening from 4 to 9 p.m. | Free.  No registration required. Every Tues., enjoy free admission to the Cummer Museum and its historic Gardens, thanks to the generous support of Florida Blue. Guests can enjoy free admission to the Galleries and Gardens. Each Tuesday evening, the Cummer Café is open for Tapas Tuesday sponsored by VyStar Credit Union.

Tapas Tuesday – Each Tues. Evening from 5 to 7:30 p.m. | The Cummer Café Reservations recommended.  Tap into Tapas Tuesday sponsored by VyStar Credit Union at the Cummer Café, on the Cummer Café patio.  Take in the sunset while listening to local musicians as you also enjoy some beer, wine, or artfully inspired tapas for sale at the Café.  Reserve your table by calling (904) 899-6022.

Weaver First Saturday Free for All – Sat. May 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Free.  No registration required.  The first Sat. of each month at the Cummer Museum is FREE FOR ALL, thanks to the generous support of J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver. Guests can enjoy free admission, as well as art-making activities for all ages in the Cummer Gardens, live music, and a Docent-led tour at 2 p.m.

Bank of America And Merrill Lynch Museums on Us – Sun., May 7 from Noon to 4 p.m. | Free to Cardholders.  No registration required.  The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens offers free admission on the first Sunday of the first full weekend of the month to all Bank of America or Merrill Lynch cardholders through the Museums on Us program. Each cardholder receives one free general admission to the Museum. For more information on the Museum's programming and events, please call 904.899.6038.

Lunching with The Ritz: A Lunchtime Chamber Concert – Wed., May 10 from 12:30 p.m. | Members Free, Non-Members Free with Paid Admission.  Registration required.  Make your lunch hour more enjoyable with a concert from the Ritz Chamber Players. Pre-order a box lunch from the Cummer Café (ordered separately for an additional fee) and enjoy a special performance. For further information or to register, please call (904) 899-6038.

David Ponsler Studio Visit – Thurs, May 11 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. | Members $15, Non-Members $20.  Registration required.  Address of westside studio to be provided upon registration.  You are invited to experience a behind-the-scenes look at the process behind the artwork. Enjoy beer, wine and light finger food as David Ponsler describes his progression from concept to final work of art. Participants will tour his historic studio workspace and observe an actual forging demonstration by the artist. For further information or to register, please call (904) 899-6038.

Ponce De León Society Opening Ink, Silk, and Gold: Islamic Treasures from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston – Wed., May 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. | Free for Ponce de León Society Donors Only.  RSVP requested.  The Board of Trustees and the Chief Operating Officer & Chief Curator of the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens invite you to be our guest at the private viewing of Ink, Silk, and Gold. Please join us for a reception with live music, cocktails, small bites, and remarks by Chief Operating Officer & Chief Curator Holly Keris. Please RSVP online or at (904) 899-6007.

Member & Community Opening Party Ink, Silk, and Gold: Islamic Treasures from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston – Thurs., May 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. | Members Free, Non-Members $10.  Registration required.  Join the Museum for the opening celebration of Ink, Silk, and Gold. Get a sneak peek of the exhibition before it opens to the public, enjoy small bites, beer, and wine while listening to live music. Hear remarks from Associate Curator Nelda Damiano at 6:30 p.m. The exhibition will also be open from noon to 4 p.m. as a benefit to Museum Members. For further information or to register, please call (904) 899-6038.

Art Adventures: Printmaking! – Sat., May 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Members $10, Non-Members $15.  Registration required.  Join the museum on the third Saturday of each month for studio classes.  In this class students will view examples of printmaking in the Museum’s Permanent Collection and Heroes & Battlefields.  In the studio, students will learn basic printmaking techniques to create an original work of art. Open to children ages 6 through 12.  Class size is limited.  For further information, please email or call (904) 355-0630.

Talks & Tea An American In Venice – Wed., May 24 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. | Members and Non-Members $6.  Registration required.  You are invited to the Museum to enjoy an insightful lecture over a cup of tea and a sweet treat. Enjoy a talk on An American in Venice: James McNeill Whistler and His Legacy led by Associate Curator Nelda Damiano. For further information or to register, please call (904) 899-6038.

Spring Nights Art Class: Collage – Tues., May 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. | Members $30, Non-Members $40.  Registration required.  Join the Cummer for a two-hour collage workshop taught by local artist Anna Patterson. This all-levels program includes supplies, wine, beer, and light nibbles. For further information, please email or call (904) 355-0630.

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