Military Families Free weekend at the Cummer

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens and VyStar Credit Union will honor Northeast Florida’s military community by presenting VyStar Military Access Weekend. All active-duty military members, veterans and their families will enjoy free admission, in celebration and gratitude for their service to the Northeast Florida community and our country.

Admission includes entry to the Museum’s riverfront gardens, permanent collection galleries and its current featured exhibition, Zanele Muholi: Somnyama Ngonyama, Hail the Dark Lioness.

DATES: Sat., May 29   Sun, May 30
TIMES: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.  12 to 4 p.m.

Call today to reserve your slot.

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

The Cummer Museum of Arts & Gardens is open

The weather is getting nice and it’s time to enjoy some culture in a safe atmosphere right here in Jacksonville, Florida. Contact the Cummer for your admission tickets. It’s an investment well spent.

Events & Programs for March 2021:

Virtual Job Fair: The Cummer Museum provides career opportunities to enrich and develop your love of the arts, while contributing to our mission of engaging and inspiring our community. Meet them on March 18th, 2021 between 4 and 6 p.m. Click HERE for more information.

Behind the Leaves: Garden Tour – Saturday, March 20 @10 a.m. Enjoy an enlightening stroll in the gardens with a Museum Docent. Members $10, Non-Members $15 | Registration required. Sponsored by Joan and Jim Van Vleck.

LiterARTure: Comfortably Mysterious – Tuesday, March 23 @7 p.m. LiterARTure is both a virtual book and art club. Cindy Edelman, art lecturer, and Stacey Goldring, author, offer prescriptive solace and refuge within the pages of books and painted artworks. Free | Registration required.

Checkmate at the Cummer: A Chess Tournament – Saturday, March 27 @12 p.m.
The Museum has partnered with Chess for Charity in hosting a rated chess tournament in the Cummer Gardens. Check online for details. Registration required.

Friday Night Picnics – Friday nights in March from5 to 9 p.m. Prices vary | Registration required.

Education:
Slow Art Wednesday – Take a fun and mindful break on Wednesday, March 10 from 12 to 12:30 p.m. Free | Registration required.

Family Experience: Interactive Virtual Tour - Friday, March 19 @6 p.m. Free | Registration required.

Studio on the Go: Drop-in Art Making Activity - Sunday, March 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. Free with admission.

Slow Art Wednesday: Take a fun and mindful break - Wednesday, March 24 from 12 to 12:30 p.m. Free | Registration required.

Teachers' Virtual Lounge: Connect with Educators - Tuesday, March 30 @5 p.m. Free | Registration required.

Virtual School Tours: Check online for details. Sponsored by Community First Credit Union.

Get Ready for Spring:
Zanele Muholi: Somnyama Ngonyama, Hail The Dark Lioness.
April 15 through June 6, 2021

"It's what comes from within that is beautiful."
Zanele Muholi – An internationally touring exhibition organized by Autograph, London and curated by Renée Mussai. The Cummer Museum is the final venue for this internationally touring exhibition featuring art by one of the most acclaimed and celebrated photographers working today. In more than 80 self-portraits, celebrated South African visual activist Zanele Muholi uses their body as a canvas to confront the deeply personal politics of race and representation in the visual archive. Each black and white self-portrait asks critical questions about social (in)justice, human rights, and contested representations of the Black body. Exhibition-related programming will be announced soon. © Zanele Muholi. Courtesy of Stevenson, Cape Town/Johannesburg and Yancey Richardson, New York.

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is the largest fine arts museum in Northeast Florida. The Cummer was established in 1958, when art collector, garden enthusiast, and civic leader Ninah Cummer bequeathed her art collection and riverfront home to create a museum. Today, the core collection of 60 pieces from Mrs. Cummer's estate has grown to include more than 5,000 works of art. The historic gardens, set against the backdrop of the St. Johns River, serve as a centerpiece of beauty for all to enjoy.

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

The Cummer Museum throws the BEST Parties

If you missed the Warhol Dinner Party or the Egyptian Dinner Party, you must see, from the videos, that you need to be at the next gala evening (“The Art of Nature: A Glamping Dinner Party”) at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens.  These Dinner Parties are a wonderful way to help the Cummer while you enjoy an evening of wining and dining, culture and fine entertainment.

Glamping is where nature meets luxury, and the perfect spot to glamp is the Cummer Gardens.  Connect with the outdoors in style during this fancy, bohemian fete amidst the Cummer Oak and historic gardens.  Wander the Olmsted, Italian and English Gardens and experience a unique culinary feature at every turn, whether in one of our garden tents or charming outdoor lounges. This will be a garden party like no other – a true celebration of glamour entwined with nature!

All Dinner Party guests will enjoy beer, wine, hors d’oeuvres, themed music, artful experiences, and dinner.  VIP guests will enjoy a private art tour with selections chosen to complement each event, along with a signature cocktail prior to the start of the evening, from 5:30 to 6 p.m.

VIP | $250 (includes a private tour from 5:30 – 6 p.m.)
General | Members $150, Non-Members $175
Young Professionals (40 and under) | Members $100, Non-Members $125

Don’t be left out of the next party.  REGISTER HERE!

    Dinner Party:
“The Art of Nature: A Glamping”

DATE: Thurs. May 14, 2020
TIME: 6 to 9 p.m..

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

Egypt comes to Jacksonville, FL for one enchanting evening

The ancient Egyptians knew how to party by hosting great festivals, and their revelries celebrated all the joys of life.  Join the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens and be transported back to a time when pharaohs ruled during this dynamic feast in honor of Striking Power: Iconoclasm in Ancient Egypt.  Wander the marketplace to be dazzled by percussion, charmed by a snake, and have your fortune told.  Magic and mystery await your visit!

All guests will enjoy beverages, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, themed music, and artful experiences. VIP and Young Professional ticket options available.

Single Dinner:
VIP | $250 (includes a private tour from 5:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.)
General | Members $150, Non-Members $175
Young Professionals (40 and under) | Members $100, Non-Members $125

Art of Power and Art of Nature Bundle:
one ticket to each dinner party
VIP | $450 (includes a private tour from 5:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.)
General | Members $275, Non-Members $325
Young Professionals (40 and under) | Members $185, Non-Members $235

Register for your experience HERE!  It’s not too late to attend and I’ll see you there this Friday.

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

Wanda Willis welcomed to the Cummer Museum

Wanda Willis

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is pleased to welcome Wanda Willis as Director of Community Development, a significant appointment that will support the Museum’s vision of being one of the country’s most relevant and accessible art museums.  Her tenure begins on February 3, 2020.

Strengthening the Museum’s efforts to be an inclusive arts and culture institution for all, the Director of Community Development will be the Museum’s senior outreach officer, and will be responsible for extending the Museum’s brand, mission and identity into the Northeast Florida community — and, in collaboration with the CEO, inviting the community into the Museum.

“Ninah Cummer imagined that the Museum she founded would be a ‘center of beauty and culture for all of Jacksonville,’” said the Cummer Museum’s George W. and Kathleen I. Gibbs Director & Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Adam Levine.  “The Director of Community Development is a structural addition to the Museum’s staff that ensures we achieve our founder’s inclusive vision, and there is no person better-suited for this role than Wanda Willis. Her reputation and accomplishments in this community speak for themselves, and her dedicated track record of strengthening some of Jacksonville’s anchor institutions will add tremendous value to the Cummer.”

A leader with extensive experience in relationship development and strategic planning, and a supporter of arts and culture in Jacksonville, Willis will lead the Museum’s efforts to cultivate meaningful partnerships with various stakeholder institutions and promote strong community engagement.  Most recently, Willis worked at the Florida State College at Jacksonville Foundation as Associate Director of Development for Major Gifts; previously, she served Edward Waters College as Assistant Vice President of Institutional Advancement.  She currently is president of the Bold City Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and has served on numerous boards and committees for organizations that include WJCT, Teach for America, Women’s Giving Alliance, Junior League of Jacksonville and the Bridge of Northeast Florida.

“The vision of the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is to be a vital partner that connects diverse audiences and is inclusive and representative of our community,” said Wanda Willis. “I am both honored and thrilled to be a part of the team, enhancing the work they already have done to enrich our community and create an institution for all to enjoy and experience.  I look forward to fostering a sense of belonging among our audiences, connecting visitors to the arts, gardens and each other, creating new relationships with engaged partners and, most importantly, welcoming everyone to the Museum.”

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

Elegant dinner served with Andy Warhol at the Cummer

On Jan.6th, patrons recently celebrated the start of 2020 with the Cummer Museum of Arts’ recent acquisition of works by artist and pop-culture icon, Andy Warhol.  You would have loved to join the Cummer as they journeyed back to 1977, when pant legs were big and disco ruled the world!  They honored this legendary American artist and reimagine the Terry Gallery as the famed Studio 54 club. Whether you were dripping in sequins, or chic in vintage Halston & mink, guests were ready to ‘Boogie Down Broadway’ during an evening of glitz and glamour at “The Art of Pop: A Warhol Dinner Party.”

All Dinner Party guests enjoyed an open bar of beer & wine; hors d’oeuvres; themed music from DJ Nick Fresh and a few disco dancers from the Jacksonville Dance Theatre; famed Warhol art; a gift shop full of exquisite gifts and other trinkets, and a delicious dinner.  Guests also enjoyed a private art tour along with a signature cocktail prior to the start of the evening.  Dr. Adam Levine, Director & CEO of the Cummer, welcomed his guests and made introductions throughout the party.

Please allow me to share some of the scrumptious items from the dinner menu: Shrimp and Lobster Salad with Pea Tendrils, Corn Shoots, Frisee, Purple Beet Puree, Champagne and Golden Tomato Vinaigrette topped with an Edible Flower.
Tomato Bisque Shooter, Gourmet Grilled Cheese Selection, Truffle Infused and Caramelized Onion. Fresh Herbs, Bacon, Gruyere and Provolone.
Mini Beef Sliders stuffed with mushroom Duxelle with Roquefort Cheese and a Port Reduction on Buttered Brioche Bun.  Roasted Stuffed Mushrooms with Spinach, Boursin & Panko.  Rosemary and Parmesan Crinkle Fries served with ketchup. 
Chocolate Fondue Station: Milk Chocolate Fondue, served with a selection of accompaniments: Angel Food Cake, Pretzel rods, Strawberries, Bananas, Peanut butter cookies, and Marshmallows.

You won’t want to miss the next Dinner Party on February 24th. entitled: “The Art of Power: An Egyptian Dinner Party”

Ticket reservations are on sale NOW! 
Single Dinner:
VIP | $250 (includes a private tour from 5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.)
General | Members $150, Non-Members $175
Young Professionals (40 and under) | Members $100, Non-Members $125

Art of Power and Art of Nature Bundle:
(one ticket to each dinner party)
VIP | $450 (includes a private tour from 5:30pm - 6 p.m.)
General | Members $275, Non-Members $325
Young Professionals (40 and under) | Members $185, Non-Members $235.

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

Come celebrate the legacy of Dr. MLK at the Cummer Museum

It will be a great holiday for parents to come to The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens with their children.  The museum will hold a special event in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 20, 2020.  The event will feature art engagement activities and special commemorations from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free admission for all.  Free admission is made possible through grants and sponsorships from The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, JAX Chamber, and JEA.

Special highlights will include: art-making activities led by Museum educators, live music by MJ Baker, demonstrations by artists Traci Mims and Keith Doles, and complimentary trolley transportation between the Cummer Museum and the Ritz Theatre and Museum.  Ecumenical Prayers for Peace, coordinated with OneJAX, will be held at 3 p.m. at both locations.  The Prayer for Peace at the Cummer Museum will be accompanied by a performance from the Jacksonville Arts and Music School (JAMS) youth chorus and words from faith leaders from across the Northeast Florida community.  The Cummer Café will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Through hands-on printmaking activities at both the Cummer Museum and the Ritz Theatre and Museum, visitors will have the opportunity to contribute to a collaborative artwork expressing peace and unity, using artistic processes employed by the artists in the Ritz’s current exhibition, Through Our Eyes.  Guests can participate in this art-making project at both the Cummer Museum and the Ritz Theatre and Museum.

“The Cummer Museum is committed to being an inclusive arts and culture institution for all, and to provide opportunities for engagement on this important occasion,” said the Cummer Museum’s George W. and Kathleen I. Gibbs Director & Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Adam Levine.  “We are inspired by Dr. King’s life and legacy, and are honored to welcome the Jacksonville community on this day of reflection.”

For almost 60 years, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens has been committed to engaging and inspiring through the arts, gardens, and education.  A permanent collection of more than 5,000 objects and historic gardens on a riverfront campus offers nearly 150,000 annual visitors a truly unique experience on the First Coast.  Nationally recognized education programs serve adults and children of all abilities.

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

The Cummer Museum’s Jan. 2020 schedule is here

It’s starting to get a little brisk outside, and then again, it might be 70º later in the week; nonetheless, there will be heat or air conditioning inside the exquisite Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens.  Why not bring the family down for a visit?

The Art Of Pop: A Warhol Dinner Party
January 16, 2020; from 6 to 9 p.m.  Celebrate the start of 2020 and the Museum’s recent acquisition of works by artist and pop-culture icon, Andy Warhol.  This is the first dinner in our Dinner Party Series.  Ticket pricing varies | Registration required

Family Open Studios from1 to 3 p.m.  Free drop-in art-making activity in Art Connections.  Free with admission | No registration required.
January 19, 2020
February 16, 2020

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 20, 2020 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Join the Cummer Museum, in partnership with the Ritz Theatre and Museum, for a special day to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  The event features art engagement and special commemorations, with free admission for all.  Free | No registration required.

Pop Up Art Shop 0pening with artist, Overstreet Ducasse
January 31, 2020 from 6 to 8 p.m.  The Pop-Up Art Shop spotlights local artists while connecting artists and collectors.  Free | No registration required.

Ponce De Leon Society opening for Striking Power: Iconoclasm in Ancient Egypt
January 29, 2020 from 6 to 8 p.m.  Free for Ponce de León members | Registration required.

Member events for Striking Power: Iconoclasm In Ancient Egypt
January 30, 2020 - Preview from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Free for Members | No registration required
Opening, 6 to 8 p.m. | Free for Members, Non-Members $40 | Registration required.

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

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

Visit the Cummer Museum and Gardens - It’s a perfect place

School will be out very soon and the Cummer Museum and Gardens will be the place to take your little ones, visiting family, coworkers and friends during this holiday season.  Make a day of it at the museum along with a delicious lunch and holiday drinks on the premises.

Upcoming Events for December 2019:
Dec. 1 | Museum Store Sunday Noon to 4 p.m. | 25% discount for all.  Join them on the Sunday after Thanksgiving for storewide discounts and Meet the Makers artisan events.

Dec. 3 | International Day of Persons with Disabilities Open Studio | 5 to 7 p.m. Free | No registration required.  The Museum will be celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities with a drop-in open studio event and exhibition of works by Women of Vision.

Dec. 5 & 6 | Champagne & Shopping, The Cummer Shops | 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. | 20% discount for all.  Enjoy complimentary champagne, appetizers, and a special trunk show.

Dec. 6, 10, & 13 | Illuminating Nature | 5 to 9 p.m. Free | No registration required.  After the sun goes down, come experience an installation of glowing fabric sculptures throughout the Historic Gardens, and enjoy live music, art activities, and food and beverages (available for purchase).  Sponsored by Stein Mart.

Dec. 7 | Weaver First Saturday Free For All | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Free | No registration required.

Dec. 15 | Family Open Studio: Louis Comfort Tiffany: Treasures From The Driehaus Collection | 1 to 3 p.m. | Free with admission | No registration required.

Pop-Up Art Building | 1 to 3 p.m. | Free with admission | No registration required.

Dec. 18 | Gallery Talks: Louis Comfort Tiffany: Treasures From The Driehaus Collection 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. | $5 Members | $10 Nonmembers | Registration required.

2020 Dinner Party Series - Early Bird Ends November 30!
The Art of Pop: A Warhol Dinner Party l January 16, 2020
The Art of Power: An Egyptian Dinner Party l February 21, 2020
The Art of Nature: A Glamping Dinner Party l May 14, 2020

Special Hours: Free Admission, 4 to 9 p.m., on Tuesdays presented by Florida Blue;
Fridays presented by PNC Bank.

With indoor and outdoor venue space, as well as an on-site caterer, the Cummer Museum is an ideal location for weddings, corporate events, and other celebratory gatherings.  Give them a call for your next party or office event!

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

Cummer Museum has Notable Lectures for November

Tues., Nov. 12 - Vincent Van Gogh In Arles: An Evening With Bernadette Murphy; 6:15 to 8 p.m.; Members $30, Non-Members $40 | Registration is required.  Murphy’s book, Van Gogh's Ear, has been translated into more than ten languages and made into a BBC PBS Arte co-production, The Mystery of Van Gogh's Ear.  + Limited Space Available.

Thurs., Nov. 14 - A New Light On Tiffany: A Lecture With Holly Keris; 2 to 3:30 p.m.  Free to Cummer Amelia members and Friends of the Library | Registration is required.  Cummer Amelia, in partnership with the Fernandina Beach Branch Library, will host an in-depth discussion of Tiffany’s technical brilliance, presented by Holly Keris, Chief Curator of the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens.

Tues., Nov. 19 - Innovation By Design: Tiffany Studios And The Rise Of An American Aesthetic: An Evening With Diane Wright; 6:30 to 8 p.m.  Free | Registration is required.  Join Diane Wright, Toledo Museum of Art’s Curator of Glass, for a presentation on the origins and creative output of Louis C. Tiffany (American, 1848–1933) and his workshop, Tiffany Studios.  + Limited Space Available

Wed., Nov. 20 - Literarture: Naturally Inspired - An Afternoon With Stacey Goldring And Cindy Edelman; Noon to 1 p.m.; Members $25, Non-Members $30 | Registration is required.  Join art lecturer Cindy Edelman and author Stacey Goldring for part one of a four-part conversation that explores the universality of the arts and its positive effects on our country’s proud legacy of civil discourse. + First in a series

Free Admission, 4 to 9 p.m.  Tuesdays presented by Florida Blue; Fridays presented by PNC Bank.
Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
   829 Riverside Avenue
   Jacksonville, Florida 32204
   (904) 356-6857
   Hours of Operation & Admission

Cummer Museum and Gardens braves the storm

As they prepare for Hurricane Dorian, the museum and gardens wanted to share with you that the Cummer Museum will be closed beginning at 4 p.m. Sunday, September 1, through Wednesday, September 4.  For the safety of the art, staff and their visitors, the Cummer will evaluate the conditions and reopen as soon as possible.

Saturday, August 31 – Museum and Café open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, September 1 – Museum open 12 to 4 p.m.
Monday, September 2 – Closed
Tuesday, September 3 – Closed
Wednesday, September 4 – Closed

Please continue to monitor their website and social media for the latest updates.  Stay safe and dry, and thank you for your steadfast support.

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

The Cummer Gardens are flourishing once again

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is proud to announce the full reopening of its historic gardens, which sustained extensive damage from Hurricane Irma in 2017.  The $1.3 million reconstruction of the lower tier of the Museum’s historically significant English, Italian and Olmsted Gardens started in January 2019.  The project was completed in June 2019.  Historic records from the Cummer family archives, including plant logs, photographs and invoices, were incorporated into the reconstruction plans to preserve the original intent and historic character of the riverfront gardens, which were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.

“The Cummer Gardens are among the most precious works of art in our permanent collection. We have been tirelessly working to restore the gardens for the community to enjoy, and welcome the community to celebrate this milestone with us all summer — especially during free access opportunities like Florida Blue Free Tuesdays, Weaver First Saturday Free for All and Summer Fridays, presented by PNC Bank,” said Adam Levine, Ph.D., the Museum’s George W. and Kathleen I. Gibbs Director & Chief Executive Officer.

Hurricane Irma swept through Jacksonville on September 11, 2017. As a result of the storm and subsequent flooding of the St. Johns River, the lower tier of all three formal garden spaces are believed to have been submerged in as much as four feet of water for more than 24 hours.  The water uprooted plants, detached the railing along the river, contaminated the soil and damaged the physical infrastructure of the gardens, including drainage, electric, fencing and the well that services the landscape.

In January 2018, the Museum announced the selection of WLA Studio, an award-winning landscape architecture and planning firm based in Athens, Ga., to lead the garden reconstruction.  The firm’s experience in both historic landscape preservation and environmental design was critical to the Museum’s goal of preserving the atmospheric intent of the original gardens, while making necessary adjustments to reflect modern-day climate and soil conditions.  A comprehensive project team managed by Danis worked alongside WLA Studio.

Funds for the reconstruction came from grants and private donations from several benefactors, including the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts (CCAHA), the State of Florida, the Garden Conservancy and the Garden Club of America’s Restoration Initiative.

“We are grateful to those organizations and individuals who committed support to bringing the Cummer’s gardens back to their former glory, and ensuring this institution remains a place for art and beauty for all of Jacksonville,” said Levine.

Through the Summer Fridays Program, sponsored by PNC Bank, admission to the gardens (along with the Museum’s permanent collection) is free from 4 - 9 p.m. tonight and every Friday through September 6, rain or shine.  Tonight’s theme is “Sunshine State: Flora, Fauna, and Festivities.” Activities will include:

• Silent disco on the front lawn
• Live music by The New Moon Ramblers
• Lawn games
• Succulent workshop
• Food available for purchase from the Cummer Café and Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen Food Truck
• Beverages available for purchase at pop-up bars throughout the campus.

“Mildred Thompson’s” art on display at the Cummer

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is excited to announce the acquisition of “Magnetic Fields,” a new work of art by abstract artist Mildred Thompson (1936-2003), born in Jacksonville, Florida.  The acquisition was made possible through the generous support the Rushton William Hays Revocable Trust and the Morton R. Hirschberg Bequest.

“Magnetic Fields” (1991), part of a series by the same name, shows a rich yellow ground with arcs and lines drawn in kinetic expression with vibrant reds, oranges and blues in thick impasto.  The upper portion of the painting shows concentric arcs of red around an implied midpoint, with darts of blue and orange shooting off in many directions, suggesting centripetal and centrifugal forces.  Inspired by the scientific principles governing magnetism, “Magnetic Fields” connects the scientific with the metaphysical.  Thompson’s interests were broad and included the study of quantum physics, cosmology, and theosophy.  The piece emanates a pulsing, frenetic energy that is unique to her painting style, a visual language she developed to interpret phenomena one experiences, but cannot see.

Mildred Thompson was born in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1936.  She graduated from Howard University in 1957 with a Bachelor of Art degree.  While at Howard, she studied under James Porter, a pioneering African-American art historian.  She attended the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in 1956, earned a Max Beckmann Scholarship to study at the Brooklyn Museum School from 1957 to 1958, attended the Art Academy of Hamburg from 1958 to 1961, participated in a residency at Castle Roccassinibaldi, Italy in 1959, and in 1961 and 1962 was selected for the prestigious MacDowell Colony residency in New Hampshire.  Though the Museum of Modern Art and the Brooklyn Museum each purchased works from Thompson in the early 1960s, she spent the majority of the 1960s and ‘70s in Germany, in response to racial and gender discrimination in the United States. During this time abroad, she taught, traveled, and exhibited her art across Europe, creating a vast body of work in printmaking, painting, and sculpture.

In the early 1970s, Thompson, influenced by the abstract paintings of the early modernists such as Wassily Kandinsky, consciously turned away from the creation of representational imagery to fully focus her craft on the abstract. She was among the second generation of Abstract Expressionists, and one of the few women of color in that group. In lieu of falling into the societal trap of ever-changing art trends and politically-driven content, Thompson artistically interpreted varied scientific and musical theories that are not visible to the naked eye.

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

2019 Children’s Summer Camp at the Cummer Museum

Does your child love to paint, sculpt, draw, print, and more?  Cultivate their creative abilities in Summer Camp at the Cummer Museum, starting Monday, June 10 and running through July 26.

Young artists entering grades 1 through 6 will observe and explore artwork in the Museum’s galleries and gardens, experiment with different art media in the studio, and create and showcase their artwork in a special exhibition each week.  Each camp is taught by professional Museum Educators trained in the fields of art history, fine arts, education, and science who will build the skills for students to look at, connect with, and create art in more personal ways.  The Education team creates fun and engaging art projects and experiences inspired by the Museum’s permanent collection, gardens, and special exhibitions that will spark your child’s creativity and imagination.

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

For further information, please contact Amber Sesnick directly at (904) 899-6034 or email.

What’s happening at the Cummer Museum for May 2019

The May flowers are in bloom and so are things at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.  Take a look at the upcoming events and make your plans to attend a few enjoyable events for May.

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

Tapas Tuesday - Each Tues. Evening from 5 to 8 p.m. | The Cummer Café | Reservations recommended.  Take in the sunset while listening to local musicians with 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 4 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Free | No registration required.  The first Saturday 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.  For further information, please call 904.899.6038.

Bank Of America And Merrill Lynch Museums On Us - Sun., May 5 | 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 further information, please call 904.899.6038.

Ritz Chamber Concert - Wed., May 8 | 2 to 3 p.m. | Members Free, Non-Members $10 | Registration required.  Enjoy a special performance by the world-class musicians of the Ritz Chamber Players, an organization that seeks to foster the appreciation of chamber music through performances and educational outreach featuring preeminent African-American musicians and composers, with an emphasis on building audiences and arts inclusion that reflects our diverse society.  For further information or to register, please call 904.899.6038.

PDL Lecture and Luncheon – The Art Of The Con: The Most Notorious Fakes, Frauds, And Forgeries In The Art World With Anthony Amore.  Thurs, May 9 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | PDL Members Free (up to 2 tickets), Additional PDL Tickets $30 | Registration required.  Art scams, cons, and forgery! Anthony Amore, Director of Security at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, will share fascinating stories and insights regarding stolen and plundered art, art thefts, and how fraudsters are using online and television auction sites.  Mr. Amore heads the ongoing efforts to recover 13 works of art stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum on March 18, 1990.  With more than 15 years of national security, law, intelligence, and crisis management experience with federal government agencies, you will not want to miss the opportunity to hear from this celebrated security expert.  The lecture is at 11 a.m., followed by a luncheon, and ends with a book signing of Mr. Amore’s book, “The Art of the Con: The Most Notorious Fakes, Frauds, and Forgeries in the Art World.”  The Cummer Shop will have the book available for purchase the day of the event. For further information or to register, please call 904.899.6028.

The Art Of The Con: The Most Notorious Fakes, Frauds, And Forgeries In The Art World – An Evening With Anthony Amore.  Thurs., May 9 | 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.| Members $20*, Non-Members $40 | Registration required | Doors open at 6:15 p.m.  Art scams, cons, and forgery!  Anthony Amore, Director of Security at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, will share fascinating stories and insights regarding stolen and plundered art, art thefts, and how fraudsters are using online and television auction sites. Mr. Amore heads the ongoing efforts to recover 13 works of art stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum on March 18, 1990.  With more than 15 years of national security, law, intelligence, and crisis management experience with federal government agencies, you will not want to miss the opportunity to hear from this celebrated security expert!  The evening will begin with beer, wine, and small bites, then Mr. Amore’s talk and question and answer session, and ends with a book signing of Mr. Amore’s book, “The Art of the Con: The Most Notorious Fakes, Frauds, and Forgeries in the Art World”.  The Cummer Shop will have the book available for purchase the night of the event. For further information, offer code, or to register, please call 904.899.6038. * Membership card is required at the door to receive member pricing.

Art For Two: Ancient Cups - Sat., May 11 | 10:30 a.m. to Noon | Members $15 per pair, Non-Members $20 per pair | Registration required.  Ages 4 & 5 with an adult.  Make art with your little one and enjoy gallery and garden visits on the second Saturday of each month. In this class students will look at Greek art in the permanent collection, and then return to the studio to make kylix cups with air-dry clay.  They will imagine their own hybrid animals and decorate the surface of their cups. Class size is limited. For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

Talks & Tea – Kota Ezawa: The Crime Of Art - Wed., May 15 | 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. | Members Free, Non-Members $10 | Registration required.  You are invited to the Museum to enjoy an insightful talk on Kota Ezawa: The Crime of Art over a cup of tea and a sweet treat.  For further information or to register, please call 904.899.6038.

Art Adventures: Carlos Rolón - Sat., May 18 | 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Members $10, Non-Members $15 | Registration required.  Ages 6 through 12.  Join the Cummer on the third Saturday of each month for studio classes.  In this class students will view the work of Carlos Rolón: Lost in Paradise and then return to the studio to make a project of their own. Class size is limited. For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

Family Open Studio: Carlos Rolón - Sun., May 19 | 1 to 3 p.m. | Free with admission | No registration required.  Free art-making activity in the Art Connections studios for all ages!  Visitors will create a mixed-media mosaic of their native landscape inspired by Carlos Rolón.  For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

Tween Museum Day Hosted By The Junior Docents - Sun., May 19 | 1 to 3 p.m. | Free | No registration required.  Rising 6th-graders youth (and their adults) are invited to tour the Museum with current Junior Docents and learn more about this exciting youth program. For further information, please call 904.899.6005.

Art For Tots: Circles And Sea Of The Ear Rings - Sat., May 25 | 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. | Members $15 per pair, Non-Members $20 per pair | Registration required.  Ages 2 & 3 with an adult.  Join the Cummer Museum for this monthly program that helps develop a child’s sensory and motor skills through art, movement, music, and storytelling.  In this class children will view Sea of the Ear Rings by Takashi Soga and try to create circles with their bodies and friends, possibly seeking to defy gravity as Soga does in his work.  Back in the studio, children will create art inspired by this unique sculptor.  Entry is through Art Connections.  Class size is limited.  For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

For more than 50 years, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens has been committed to engaging and inspiring through the arts, gardens, and education.  A permanent collection of more than 5,000 objects and historic gardens on a riverfront campus offers nearly 150,000 annual visitors a truly unique experience on the First Coast.  Nationally recognized education programs serve adults and children of all abilities.  For further information, including hours, visit below.

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