Cummer gives free membership to elementary students

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens today announced that it has partnered with Duval County Public Schools to provide free Family-level memberships to 5,800 fifth-grade students enrolled in the district’s Title 1 elementary schools, following the successful completion of the Family 2 Family Membership Match — the Museum’s signature access initiative for 2019.

From April through September, the Museum adopted a buy-one-give-one model for all new or renewing Family memberships. Funds to support the initiative were secured through a combination of memberships, private donations and generous support from Florida Blue.

Vouchers for the free memberships will be distributed by principals and teachers at the following district schools by Friday, Dec. 6: Abess Park Elementary; Andrew A. Robinson Elementary; Annie R. Morgan Elementary; Arlington Elementary; Arlington Heights Elementary; Bayview Elementary; Beauclerc Elementary; Biltmore Elementary; Biscayne Elementary; Brentwood Elementary; Brookview Elementary; Carter G. Woodson Elementary; Cedar Hills Elementary; Central Riverside Elementary; Chimney Lakes Elementary; Crown Point Elementary; Crystal Springs Elementary; Dinsmore Elementary; Don Brewer Elementary; Englewood Elementary; Enterprise Learning Academy; Fort Caroline Elementary; Garden City Elementary; George W. Carver Elementary; Greenfield Elementary; Gregory Drive Elementary; Henry F. Kite Elementary; Highlands Elementary; Hogan-Spring Glen Elementary; Holiday Hill Elementary; Hyde Park Elementary; Jacksonville Heights Elementary; John E. Ford K-8 School; Kings Trail Elementary; Lake Lucina Elementary; Lone Star Elementary; Long Branch Elementary; Love Grove Elementary; Mamie Agnes Jones Elementary; Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary; Mayport Elementary; Mt. Herman Exceptional Student Center; Normandy Village Elementary; North Shore Elementary; Oak Hill Academy; Oceanway Elementary; Ortega Elementary; Parkwood Heights Elementary; Pickett Elementary; Pine Estates Elementary; Pinedale Elementary; R.L. Brown Gifted and Talented Academy; R.V. Daniels Elementary; Ramona Elementary; Reynolds Lane Elementary; Rufus E. Payne Elementary; Ruth N. Upson Elementary; Rutledge H. Pearson Elementary; S.A. Hull Elementary; Sadie T. Tillis Elementary; Sallye B. Mathis Elementary; San Jose Elementary; Southside Estates Elementary; Spring Park Elementary; St. Clair Evans Academy; Stonewall Jackson Elementary; Susie E. Tolbert Elementary; Thomas Jefferson Elementary; Timucuan Elementary; West Riverside Elementary; Westview K-8 School; Whitehouse Elementary; Windy Hill Elementary & Woodland Acres Elementary.

“Access initiatives like Family 2 Family are critical to our mission of engaging and inspiring through the arts, gardens and education,” said Adam Levine, George W. and Kathleen I. Gibbs Director & Chief Executive Officer of the Cummer Museum.  “I am deeply grateful to the donors and community partners who played a role in funding Family 2 Family. As a result of their generosity, thousands of families will have the opportunity to create new, meaningful connections with art, nature and, most importantly, each other.”

Members of the Museum enjoy numerous benefits, including exclusive exhibition openings; special invitations to programs and events; a quarterly digital newsletter; discounted admission to concerts, lectures, garden programs, art camps and classes; a 10% discount at the Cummer Shop and Cummer Café; free admission to more than 150 Southeast Reciprocal Museums; reciprocal membership to over 1,000 institutions through the North American Reciprocal Museums (NARM) program; and reciprocal membership to nearly 300 gardens through the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Program.

“Whether it’s taking a walk, through Renaissance history or beholding an ancient Egyptian sculpture, these are experiences that all children should have as they blossom into well-rounded and cultured individuals,” said Dr. Diana Greene, superintendent of Duval County Public Schools. “I am proud to serve alongside the Cummer Museum and other community partners as we work through the invaluable Family 2 Family program to make sure these experiences are accessible to all of our children.”

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

‘A Christmas Carol’ soon opens at Players By The Sea

Community theatre at the beaches brings a holiday classic to life on stage.  “A Christmas Carol” starts this Friday, December 6th at Players by the Sea Theatre.  After months of rehearsal, the cast & crew (about 40 talented artists) are ready to share their magical work with the JAX community.

A Christmas Carol, written by Charles Dickens and adapted by Romulus Linney tell the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his journey from an embittered, ungenerous creature into a giving, caring human being at the hands of three spirits, who, one Christmas Eve, show him what life means.  This richly textured play brings the full spirit of the book, as well as those of Christmases Past, Present and Yet To Come, to life on the stage.

Kenggy Bravo, who plays Mrs. Fezziwig in the show said, “I think people should buy tickets to see A Christmas Carol because it’s going to appeal to everyone. It’s such a warm show to watch during the holidays, and what better way to get into the spirit than to remember what Christmas truly means?”

Watch in awe as a diverse group of Jacksonville talent from different backgrounds and of young and old ages, come together to make holiday magic on stage at Players by the Sea.

“A Christmas Carol”

DATES:     TIMES
Fri. Dec. 6, 2019  8 p.m.
Sat., Dec.7      8 p.m.
Thurs., Dec. 12   8 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 13    8 p.m.
Sat. Dec 14     2 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 14    8 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 15    2 p.m.
Thurs., Dec. 19   8 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 20    8 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 21    8 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 22    2 p.m.

TICKETS: General Admission tickets are $28.  Student/Senior/Military may purchase theirs for $25.  Don’t forget, Thurs. nights are Student Nights!  Bring a valid student ID to the theatre and get a half-price ticket for $14.  There are a limited number of tickets left for opening weekend, so get yours now!

LOCATION: Players By The Sea Theatre
      106 6th Street North
      Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
      (904) 249-0289

ABOUT PLAYERS BY THE SEA— For over fifty-three years, Players by the Sea has brought quality creative and classic theatre to the Jacksonville community.  Players mission is to enrich the community through excellence in theatre.  The nonprofit community theatre welcomes all creative artists to participate in making the magic of theatre come to life, whether on stage, through advocacy or assisting backstage.