New Year starts at the Cummer Museum – 2022

It’s a New Year and time to get out and appreciate some glorious artwork. Don’t miss the happenings at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. Although the Cummer collectively faced significant challenges in 2021, they were so happy to connect with you and offer meaningful opportunities throughout the year. Please take a moment to experience Rebecca Louise Law: The Journey one last time before it closes on January 9, 2022. Another slate of exciting exhibitions and programs are on the horizon for 2022. Here’s to a safe, healthy, and artful New Year. They can’t wait to see you.

Events & Programs for January 2022:

Lecture Series with Scott Brown, Ph.D. – Hosted by Cummer Beaches & Sponsored by Diane Jacobsen Ph.D. Jan. 6, The Cummer Gardens: Natural Beauty and Beautiful Cities in the American Landscape from 7 to 8 p.m. Free.

Culture & Conversation: Gordon Yellowman Sponsored by Wells Fargo Jan. 13 from 7 to 8 p.m. | Free.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Sponsored by The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida Jan. 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Free.

Dried Flower Arrangement with Found Objects, With Julie Feldman, ages 18+ Jan. 23 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Members $55, Non-Members $70 | Registration required.

Offsite Experiences: The Works and Life of Vincent Van Gogh; Tribulations and Triumphs Jan. 18 from 5 to 9 p.m. Per lecture $10, For series $25 + Offsite at Story and Song Bookstore Bistro.

Education:

Get Your Learn On: Highlights Tour, Every Tuesday in Januarythrough March from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. Free with Admission.

Artful Explorations, Hands on Activities Jan. 9, The Stories of Flowers from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Free with Admission.

Look at That! Virtual event Jan. 12, The Sitter; Jan. 26, Not Me from Noon to 1 p.m. Free | Registration required.

Friday Night Draw With William McMahan, ages 16+ Jan. 14, Drawing in the Galleries Jan. 28, Portrait Drawing with Model from 6 to 8 p.m. Members $25, Non-Members $35 Registration required.

Storyteller Mornings With Jacksonville Public Library Jan. 19 from 11 a.m. to Noon, Free | Registration required.

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

Christmas time 2021 at the Cummer Museum

Do you hear the sound of reindeer on the roof? Well, if you don’t, then you need to know that it’s almost time for the jolly old man to make his presence known. Come to the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens as you experience a little holiday cheer.

Events & Programs for December 2021:

Illuminating Nature: Dec. 3, 7, 10, 14, & 17 from 5 to 9 p.m. Free

Pressed Flower Workshop With Cassidy Ramos Dec. 11 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. | Members $45, Non-Members $60.

Look at That! Discover the joys of close looking. Dec. 8, Momentous Movement from Noon to 1 p.m. Free | Registration required.

Friday Night Drawing, with William McMahan: Dec. 10 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. | Members $50, Non-Members $75.

Make & Take Tuesday: Ages 12 to adult: Dec. 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. Members $50, Non-Members $60 | Registration required.

Artful Explorations: Activities for all ages: Dec. 12 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Free | Registration required.

Artist Demonstrations, With Allison Watson: Dec. 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. Free | Registration required.

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

The ‘Cummer Museum’ has a spectacular holiday event

The “Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens” invites the community to celebrate the holidays through special events and seasonal promotions. The Museum is commemorating its 60th anniversary this year with the theme a “The Museum is for Everybody.” This holiday season event lineup includes a variety of opportunities for visitors of all ages to explore the Museum’s art and gardens. The Museum offers a variety of holiday events for members and visitors of all ages this season.

“We are excited to welcome visitors to the Museum this holiday season to celebrate together as a community,” said Andrea Barnwell Brownlee, George W. and Kathleen I. Gibbs Director and Chief Executive Officer. “Whether it be a picnic in the gardens during Illuminating Nature, a glass of bubbles while perusing gifts in the shop, or exploring the galleries as a family, we offer experiences for everyone to enjoy.”

Upcoming events and promotions include:
●      Museum Store Sunday (Nov. 28, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.): Museum Store Sunday is a worldwide shopping day, with more than 1,800 museums from over 24 countries represented. The Cummer Shop is the perfect place to find unique and one-of-a kind gifts like artisan jewelry, wearable art, special items that reflect the collections, and much more. All shoppers will receive a 25% discount on every Museum Store Sunday purchase plus a 10% discount in the Cummer Café.

●      Champagne & Shopping (Dec. 2, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 3, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.): Shoppers ages 21+ may enjoy complimentary champagne while shopping exclusive offers. Members will receive a 30% discount on purchases; non-members will receive a 20% discount.

●      Illuminating Nature (Dec. 3, 7, 10, 14 and 17, 4 to 9 p.m.): Explore the Gardens in a whole new light. Join the Museum for a magical outdoor experience, as more than a dozen sculptures will be illuminated and placed throughout the 2.5 acre-historic riverfront Gardens— perfect for a festive evening of enjoyment with refreshments from the Cummer Café. This event is free to the public, and registration is required.

●      Sunset Garden Picnics (Every Friday, 5 to 9 p.m.): This weekly event invites visitors to relax in the beautiful riverfront gardens and enjoy a picnic provided by the Cummer Café. Picnics can be created for one ($25) or two guests ($40) and must be ordered in advance. Admission is free, and reservations are required to ensure capacity limits and social distancing.

Support from the community is critical for the Museum to serve as a vibrant civic resource. Proceeds from daily admission, Cummer Shop sales, and the Cummer Café support the Museum’s mission to engage and inspire through the arts, gardens, and education. To register for events, click HERE.

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

Cummer Museum celebrates 60 Years in JAX

Despite hurricanes and a pandemic, the "Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens" kicks off its 60th anniversary celebration this Veterans Day weekend with free admission, live music, arts activities and more. Admission is free thanks to support from VyStar Credit Union and PNC Bank.

Since its founding on November 11, 1961, the Museum has served as a dynamic cultural resource bringing the community of Northeast Florida together through the arts, education and its beautiful riverfront gardens. The Cummer Museum’s 60th Anniversary Kick-Off Celebration begins on Thursday, November 11 and continues through Sunday, November 14, 2021; the Museum will also offer programming throughout the year in honor of this special occasion.

“For 60 years, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens has served as a vital source of inspiration and a place of reflection for our community — a role that has taken on even greater significance during the pandemic,” said Andrea Barnwell Brownlee, Ph.D., George W. and Kathleen I. Gibbs Director and CEO of the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. “We are excited to celebrate this important moment and welcome everyone to the Museum for a vibrant weekend of art, music and fun.”

Ninah Cummer, the Museum’s namesake, bequeathed her collection of works to create “a center of beauty and culture” for the benefit of all the people of Northeast Florida. Today, the Museum holds over 5,000 works of art in its collection, spanning from 2100 B.C. through the 21st century, and includes 2.5 acres of historic gardens overlooking the St. Johns River. Its robust educational programming provides multigenerational learning through classes, lectures and camps, as well as a series of impactful programs focused on accessibility and inclusivity, including Women of Vision, a unique initiative that brings visual arts to women with blindness or low vision; the Arts4All Festival, an arts festival at the Museum for students with differing abilities living in Northeast Florida; and initiatives like Cummer in the Community, which serves students, staff and families in high priority areas through strategic partnerships with schools and community-based program providers.

The Museum recently launched 60 & 60 in 60, a year-end campaign to welcome 60 new and renewing members to its core membership, and 60 new and renewing donors to the Ponce de León Society (donors who give $1,250 or more per year) by December 31, 2021. This year-end initiative invites the entire community to support ongoing efforts to ensure that the Museum is an inspiring and accessible place for art, beauty and reflection. To join, visit their website.

Over the course of the next year, the Museum will honor its 60th anniversary with a variety of programs and events designed to celebrate its legacy of community impact and signal its future growth.

60th Anniversary Kick-Off Weekend activities will include:

Thurs., Nov. 11 | Veterans Day | Museum Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | FREE. Admission sponsored by VyStar Credit Union.
Let’s Ride Brass Band: Sets every hour at 12 p.m., 1 p.m. & 2 p.m.; Permanent Collection Highlight Tours: 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; “Ninah Cummer’s Museum: On Women and Art in American Society”: A virtual lecture with Scott Brown, Ph.D., Ninah Cummer’s Museum: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
All day: Lawn games in the Gardens; Drop-in papermaking activity; 60th anniversary scavenger hunt.

Fri., Nov. 12 | Museum Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. | FREE. Admission sponsored by PNC Bank
Streams of Sound: Playing on the Upper Tier Colonnade from 1 to 4 p.m.; Groov Band: Playing in the Cummer Café from 5:30 to 8 p.m.; Jeremy Prince Jazz Trio: Playing on the Upper Tier Colonnade from 5:30 to 8 p.m.; Permanent Collection Highlight Tours: 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Food & Fun: 5 to 8 p.m.; Food station with gourmet hot dogs, homemade gelato and bar in the Upper Tier; Balloon animals; Face painting in the Gardens by Debra Heuskin-Adloff.
All day: Lawn games in the Gardens; Drop-in papermaking activity; 60th anniversary scavenger hunt.

Sat., Nov. 13 | Museum Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | FREE. Let’s Ride Brass Band: Playing sets every hour at 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.; Permanent Collection Highlight Tours: 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Food & Fun: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Food station with gourmet hot dogs, homemade gelato and bar in the Upper Tier; Face painting in the Gardens with Debra Heuskin-Adloff; Balloon animals.
All day: Lawn games in the Gardens; Drop-in papermaking activity; 60th anniversary scavenger hunt.

Sun., Nov. 14 | Museum Hours: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. | FREE. The Band Be Easy: Playing sets from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., and 1:45 to 2:45 p.m.; Permanent Collection Highlight Tours: 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Food & Fun: 12 to 3 p.m.; Food station with gourmet hot dogs, homemade gelato and bar in the Upper Tier; Face painting in the Gardens with Debra Heuskin-Adloff.
All day: Lawn games in the Gardens; Drop-in papermaking activity; 60th anniversary scavenger hunt.

**All events are rain or shine and moved indoors if inclement weather arises.

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

Cummer exhibition honors Cheyenne Warrior Artists

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens presents ‟Imprisoned but Empowered: Cheyenne Warrior Artists at Fort Marion,” an ongoing exhibition that is on view to the public through February 27, 2022.

Imprisoned but Empowered: Cheyenne Warrior Artists at Fort Marion features deeply personal works by three Cheyenne artists who were taken from their homes by the United States government in 1875 and imprisoned at Fort Marion (officially known as the Castillo de San Marcos) in St. Augustine for three years. The humanity of these POW artists inspired their jailor, Richard Pratt, to experiment with assimilating the Plains warriors into quasi-soldiers. The missionary ladies of St. Augustine, including Harriett Beecher Stowe, convinced Pratt to allow them to create an ad hoc school in the fort, laying the foundation for Carlisle and Indian boarding schools.

Also included is a work by Gordon Yellowman, the exhibition’s lead curator and Director of Language and Cultural Programs, Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes — demonstrating a powerful link between past and present-day Cheyenne artists. Together, these 52 drawings offer a window into the hearts and minds of men who were exiled for defending their families, cultures and territories.

‟The significance of this exhibition is a powerful culture’s way of life, based on personal experiences of the exiled warrior artist. Each ledger drawing depicts and captures a Polaroid moment of history,” said Yellowman.

Though considered some of the most valuable Native American art ever created, these drawings have never been exhibited within a Cheyenne world view — until now. Over a period of two years, the Museum’s curatorial team worked with Dr. Eric Singleton, curator at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, which holds the esteemed Arthur and Shifra Silberman Collection — the primary source for this exhibition.

‟The Museum is humbled to be able to share this important chapter in our regional and national history with the Northeast Florida community. Working with the project’s curators to bring this exhibition to fruition has been a powerful experience, and I hope our visitors can feel that authenticity when experiencing these works of art,” said Holly Keris, the Museum’s J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Chief Curator. ‟It is easy for history to reimagine the Cheyenne warriors imprisoned at Fort Marion as an anonymous collective. However, they were individuals, with lives, experiences, families and voices, and we are proud to honor their perspectives.”

Veronica Pasfield, Ph.D., Journalist, Independent Curator & Museum Decolonizer, Bay Mills Indian Community Member, provided additional curatorial insight for this exhibition. ‟The Cheyenne artists in this exhibition are among the most celebrated and valued in Native American art,” said Pasfield. ‟These imprisoned artists understood the high communicative value of their drawings. They used a visual language — colors, symbols, composition — to communicate so much about themselves and Cheyenne people. Today's Cheyenne can readily decode what their relatives communicated. Why? Because the very same traditions are still practiced — from warrior Society colorways to protocols for setting up a tipi encampment. It is an honor and privilege to amplify the voice of the Cheyenne people via this exhibition at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens.”

About the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens: For 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

Autumn has come to the Cummer this Oct 2021

Yes, it has gotten a little cooler and the Cummer Museum of Arts & Gardens is the perfect place to spend the day with family, out of town guests, friends and anyone you’d like to spend some time with. Call today and make your appointment to relax in a socially distant, masked, sanitized, friendly and educational atmosphere. Come to the Cummer!

Events & Programs:
A More Sustainable Life – A virtual panel discussion on ways to live sustainably. October 19 from 7 to 8 p.m. Free | Registration required.

Creepin’ it Real Halloween Art Tour – Tuesday, October 26 | Time: drop in 6 - 8pm | Cost: FREE! — This Halloween, experience the Museum as you never have before! Your spooky art experience begins when you pick up your Halloween scavenger hunt clues from the ghost of Ninah Cummer herself! As you put your sleuthing skills to work, you’ll discover Visitor Experience staff throughout the museum dressed as pieces from our collection and ready to deliver all its spine-chilling secrets, along with free trunk-or-treat style prizes! You’d have to be undead to miss it!

The Shop's Autumn Artisan Market in the Cummer Gardens Features exceptional products by women makers and designers. October 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Gallery Walk: with the Chief Curator — An inside look at The Journey October 28 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Members $50, Non-Members $60. Registration required.

Friday Night Picnics — October through December from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Prices and menu items vary.

Education:
Artful Explorations — Drop-in activities for all ages October 10 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Free.

Look at That! — Discover the joys of close looking. October 13 Proper Proportion; October 27, Perceiving Perspective from Noon to 1 p.m. Free | Registration required.

Exploring Color, Acrylic Painting: with Allison Watson — Oct. 13, 20, 27; Nov. 3, 10, 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. Members $270, Non-Members $360. Registration required.

Basic Drawing: with William McMahan — Oct. 14, 28; Nov. 4, 11, 18; Dec. 2 from 1 to 4 p.m. Members $270, Non-Members $360. Registration required.

Teachers' Lounge — October 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. Free | Registration required.

Pressed Flower Virtual Workshop: with Cassidy Ramos — October 24. 12:30 to 2 p.m. Members $45, Non-Members $60. Registration required.

The Art of Nature” Glamping Dinner Party – Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021 from 6 to 9 p.m.: Where nature meets luxury, and the perfect spot to glamp is the Cummer Gardens! Connect with the outdoors in style during this fancy, bohemian fête amidst the Cummer Oak and historic gardens. Wander 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! Pricing varies.

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

There’s a new CFO at the Cummer

The Cummer Museum of Arts & Gardens has appointed Kimberly Noble as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), a newly created position that will oversee strategic and tactical matters related to budget management, forecasting and cultivation of new revenue opportunities. She began her position in June.

Her primary responsibilities include collaborating with the Museum’s Director and CEO to develop and implement cross-department programs, guiding the Museum’s short- and long-term financial performance strategies, identifying and mitigating institutional risk, leading the annual budgeting and planning process, liaising with the Chief Investment Officer and providing regular updates to the Museum’s executive team and Board of Trustees.

“Kimberly’s attention to detail, spirit of collaboration and seasoned knowledge of the field have already proven to be an asset to the Museum,” said Andrea Barnwell Brownlee, Ph.D., the Cummer Museum’s George W. and Kathleen I. Gibbs Director & Chief Executive Officer. “As we focus relentlessly on our mission, build upon our historic successes, grow our audiences and infrastructure, and expand our donor base, it is abundantly clear that Kimberly is an exemplary addition to the Museum team.”

Noble brings more than 17 years of executive-level financial leadership to the Museum. Most recently, she served as the CFO of St. Johns Country Day School; earlier in her career, she held financial management roles with Regency Centers, Southeastern Grocers, Johnson & Johnson and CSX Transportation. She served as the treasurer for The Florida Theatre’s Board of Directors and provided financial consultation services to the Board of Trustees of Grace Episcopal Day School. She holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance & Security Analysis from the University of Florida, where she also earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She holds the Certified Financial Manager designation from the Institute of Management Accountants, as well as the Certified Green Belt distinction from Lean Six Sigma.

“As a lifelong resident of Jacksonville, I have long admired the Cummer Museum and the vital role it serves in the community,” said Noble. “I am honored to join the Museum during this milestone year, as we prepare to celebrate our 60th anniversary, and I look forward to working with Dr. Brownlee and the Board to broaden the Museum’s role as a cultural resource for our community today and generations to come.”

About the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens: For 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, and is committed to ensuring that diversity and inclusion are woven into the fabric of the Museum. For further information, including hours, visit www.cummermuseum.org.

Safe Summer at the Cummer Museum and Gardens for August

Check out these thrilling events that only the Cummer could make happen during the pandemic. As the children get ready to return to school, don’t forget the safe haven of the Museum that awaits you this month.

NB: To help ensure our community’s safety, the Museum will admit a reduced number of visitors each day. Please note, walk-up capacity is limited, so it’s strongly recommended you reserve your tickets in advance. Masks are required inside the Museum, when not eating or drinking. In order to prioritize the health of our guests and our staff, and to minimize touch points and onsite capacity, all visitors must reserve a timed ticket for entry. Timed tickets are available Tuesday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 4 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 to 4 p.m. Reserve Your Admission Ticket Now!

Rebecca Louise Law in Conversation: Join artist Rebecca Louise Law and Holly Keris (the Cummer’s Chief Curator), as they discuss Law's inspiration, process and recent projects, including the site-specific installation for the Cummer Museum. Tuesday, August 10 from 7 to 8 p.m. Members $10, Non-Members $15. In-person program at the Museum. Registration required | Space is limited.

Free Friday Nights: Now through Sept. 3, 2021 from 4 to 9 p.m. Come take a moment in the beautiful backyard (aka the Cummer Gardens), and enjoy live music, art experiences, lawn games and more. Visitors will be able to purchase food and beverages, including beer, wine, and cocktails. Pre-order a picnic from the Cummer Café and have dinner and dessert ready for pick up when you arrive. Click here to select your picnic date. Presented by PNC Bank. | Free | Registration recommended.

Events & Programs for August 2021:

Workshop: Make a Flower Crown: August 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Members $20, Non-Members $25. Registration required | Drop-in activity.

Meet the Artist: Cassidy Ramos: August 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free with Museum admission.

Behind the Leaves: Sunset Garden Tour: August 13 from 7 to 8 p.m. A docent-led tour of the Cummer Gardens (yummy bubbles included!). Members $15, Non-Members $20. Registration required.

Workshop: BYOB, Build Your Own Bouquet: August 20 from5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Members $30, Non-Members $35. Registration required | Drop-in activity.

Workshop: Cocktail Creation: August 27 from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Enjoy this brief course on cocktail making with edible flowers. Members $40, Non-Members $45. Registration required.

Lecture: Ashley Woodson Bailey: Sept. 9 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Members $35, Non-Members $45. Registration required.

Education - Virtual Slow Art Talks: August 11, Finding Form August 25, Calculating Color
12 to 1 p.m. Take a fun and mindful break. Free | Registration required.

Friday Night Live Model: Portrait Drawing: August 13 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Members $60, Non-Members $75. Registration required.

Art Connection Activity Saturday: August 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drop in for a fun activity. Free with Museum admission.

Studio on the Go: Drop-in Art Making Activity: August 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. Rebecca Louise Law: The Journey. Free with Museum admission.

Make & Take Tuesday: Nature Watercolors: August 17. Explore The Journey as inspiration. Members $45, Non-Members $60. Registration required.

Drawing Workshop: with William McMahan: August 28 and 29 from Noon to 4 p.m. (each day). Focus on Hands and Feet. Members $125, Non-Members $155. Registration required.

Cummer Shop: Visit them at the Museum, or from the comfort of your home through their online shop.
Spotlight on Rebecca Louise Law with her book Life in Death. This breathtaking publication is the most comprehensive collection to date of Law’s work. It documents the evolution of her unique artistic practice, and explains why she chose to use preserved flowers as sculptural material. It offers a journey through Law’s earliest experiments to her best-known immersive installations.

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

Rebecca Louise Law’s: ‘The Journey’ at the Cummer

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens has commissioned British installation artist, Rebecca Louise Law, to create and implement a site-specific installation, using flowers and natural materials, exploring the relationship between humanity and nature. The exhibition will open to the public on Friday, July 30, 2021, and run through January 9, 2022.

A proponent of sustainability, Law will incorporate 1.2 million flowers from her previous installations around the world in the creation of the Museum’s installation, which also requires more than 1,200 community volunteer hours to install.

“I want this installation to be a physical and participatory experience. After exploring the intimacy of the womb and the sensation of being consumed and cocooned in nature, I would like to explore the momentum of life,” said Law. “From the second we are formed in cells we are moving and changing, within a world that is also evolving. The motion of walking through nature and witnessing its many forms from life to death. This rhythmic cycle that we are all participants of, fascinates me. This installation will be a short journey through nature, with its many forms and scents, stimulating the senses to the extreme.”

“Law’s site-specific installation, The Journey, is a timely invitation to immerse ourselves in nature’s abundant splendor and soak in its awe-inspiring beauty,” said Andrea Barnwell Brownlee, Ph.D., the Museum’s George W. and Kathleen I. Gibbs Director and CEO. “In recent months, most have at times felt fragile, depleted and vulnerable. Law’s poetic installation, incorporating millions of delicate dried and fresh flowers that have been painstakingly linked together by hand, is an apt metaphor for our shared quest to emerge stronger and more resilient than ever. This exhibition promises to activate our senses and ignite collective joy. We are privileged to present an original installation by this internationally acclaimed artist, whose work introduces new dimensions to the Museum’s emphasis on art, gardens, and education.”

Law uses both dried and fresh flowers in her work to illuminate the time-bound and natural process of decay, which is an integral part of her practice. Inspired by the dried flowers that hung in her attic as a child, Law’s “sculptures” are suspended from above and held together with copper wire, which are assembled by volunteers.

The volunteer effort began in mid-July, with community members assisting with stringing together garlands of flowers and taking some ownership over the installation — an aspect of the project that the artist feels passionate about.

“The Cummer Museum is thrilled that so many community members jumped at the opportunity to take part in the installation of Rebecca’s exhibition,” said Holly Keris, the Museum’s J. Wayne & Delores Barr Weaver Chief Curator. “While community participation has always been an important component of her work, whether actively by wiring flowers or more passively through physically and emotionally immersing themselves in the finished product, it has taken on a new level of significance during the pandemic. I hope visitors experiencing this installation will take a moment to delight in the abundance of the Earth, marvel at the interconnectivity of people and nature and our individual roles within our community microcosm and contemplate our collective journey over the past year.”

About Rebecca Louise Law: Based in the Snowdonia National Park in Wales, Law has been commissioned to create installations at the Onassis Cultural Centre in Athens, Chandran Gallery in San Francisco, Kew Royal Botanic Gardens in London and in New York City’s Times Square, among other venues. Her work has been exhibited at a range of galleries and at major institutions, including the Royal Academy and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

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

Cummer closed on Wednesday, July 7

In anticipation of Tropical Storm Elsa’s path through Florida, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens will be closed to the public on Wednesday, July 7, 2021.

The Museum will remain open through its regular hours on Tuesday, July 6, including free admission during extended hours (4 to 9 p.m.) as part of its ongoing Free Tuesday’s program, sponsored by VyStar Credit Union.

The Museum will post operational updates at its website (cummermuseum.org) and on social media.

About the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens: For 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. For further information, including hours, visit www.cummermuseum.org.

Summertime at the Cummer Museum in JAX

What a wonderful time to visit the Cummer Museum of Arts & Gardens. It’s time to get out of the house and enjoy time with in a unique atmosphere. Come on down to the Cummer.

Free Friday Nights: July 2 through Sept. 3, 2021from 4 to 9 p.m., presented by PNC Bank. Bring a friend, a date, or the whole family to experience art, culture and community this Summer at the Cummer! Come take a moment in their beautiful backyard (aka the Cummer Gardens), and enjoy live music, art experiences, lawn games and more. Visitors will also be able to purchase food and beverages, including beer, wine, and cocktails. Additional programming and activities also will be available for purchase. Advance Registration encouraged, but not required. Like to plan ahead? Pre-order a picnic from the Cummer Café and have dinner and dessert ready for pick up when you arrive. Click here to select your date. Free!

“Promoting the arts and education is a core value at PNC, and given that the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is one of the great and largest cultural resources in Northeast Florida, it’s a win-win,” said Brian Bucher, PNC regional president of North Florida. “Free Fridays provides access to quality, visual art experiences, while supporting the cultural vitality of this region.”

“Our annual Summer at the Cummer gives everyone another reason to love Fridays, and we could not be more excited to welcome our community back for a welcomed and much-needed summer of fun and friendship,” said Andrea Barnwell Brownlee, PhD, the Cummer Museum’s George W. and Kathleen I. Gibbs director & chief executive officer. “We are grateful to PNC Bank for once again sponsoring this annual tradition with free admission for all.”

New Exhibition: Rebecca Louise Law: The Journey: Opens July 30.
British artist Rebecca Louise Law has designed and created a site-specific installation using both dried and fresh plant materials to form an immersive visitor experience that explores the relationship between humanity and nature. Click here to learn more.

Events & Programs: Ponce de León Opening for Rebecca Louise Law: The Journey. Wednesday, July 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. Free to Ponce De León Society. Registration required. Member Opening for Rebecca Louise Law: The Journey, Thursday, July 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. Free to Members | Registration required.

Upcoming Artist Events: Meet the Artist: Susan Ober Friday, July 30 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free with Museum admission.

Meet the Artist: Cassidy Ramos: Friday, Aug. 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free with Museum admission.

Lecture: Ashley Woodson Bailey: Thursday, Sept. 9 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Members $35, Non-Members $45.

Education:
Art Connection Activity Saturday July 10 from11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drop in for a fun activity. Free with Museum admission.

Make & Take Tuesday: Sketching Tuesday, July 13 The Cummer Gardens set the stage for this introduction to sketching. Members $45, Non-Members $60. Registration required.

Slow Art Wednesdays: Virtual Talks: July 14, Looking for Lines July 28, Seeing Shapes from 12 to 1 p.m. Take a fun and mindful break. Free | Registration required.

Studio on the Go: Drop-in Art Making Activity: Sunday, July 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. Art in the Landscape. Free with Museum admission.

Miniature Canvas with Allison Watson: July 31 and August 1, two days from 12 to 4 p.m., each day. An introduction to painting on small canvases. Members $125, Non-Members $155. Registration required.

Cummer Shop: Visit them at the Museum, or from the comfort of home through their online shop. Cool, comfy, and exclusively Cummer! These new shirts are perfect for celebrating all that is summer. Coordinating Summer At The Cummer items include ball caps, hoodies, and more. 

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

FREE Juneteenth celebration at the Cummer Museum

Courtesy: Stevenson, Cape Town/Johannesburg
 & Yancey Richardson, NY

The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens and Florida Blue will offer free admission for all guests on Juneteenth (Saturday, June 19, 2021) as part of the ongoing “Florida Blue Free Third Saturday” program.

Admission will include access to the Museum’s current featured exhibition, ZaneleMuholi: Somnyama Ngonyama, Hail the Dark Lioness, as well as the beautiful riverfront gardens and permanent galleries. Complimentary art kits will also be available for guests to create their own works, while supplies last.

Guests are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance. For the health and safety of the community, staff and visitors, masks are encouraged and all guests are asked to observe guidelines designed for their safety.

DATE: Sat., June 19th (Juneteenth)

TIME: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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

The Cummer Museum and Gardens are awaiting your return

It may be hot outside but inside the Cummer Museum and outside in the cool luscious Gardens near the St. John’s River it’s cool, inviting and just lovely. Grab a friend, relative or come by yourself and enjoy what’s in store for you this month at the museum.

Events & Programs for June 2021:

Yoga in the historic gardens: Thursday, June 10 starting at 10 a.m. Enjoy a Mindful Yoga hour in the historic gardens. Members $10, Non-Members $15 | Registration required.

Queer: Exploring art and artists in the Museum's collection: Tuesday, June 15  & Saturday, June 19. Explore various works, along with themes of LGBT+ initiatives, with one of our Visitor Experience Associates. Free | Registration required.

Donte Palmer, Founder of Squat for Change: Thursday, June 17 starting at 7 p.m. (Virtual lecture) Free | Registration required. Sponsored by Northern Trust.

Zanele Muholi in Conversation: Friday, June 18 starting at 2 p.m. (Virtual program) Free | Registration required.

Friday Night Picnics: Friday Nights in June from 5 to 9 p.m. Prices vary | Registration required.

EDUCATION: Slow Art Wednesdays: Virtual Talks. Wednesday, June 9 and Wednesday, June 23 starting at 12 p.m. Take a fun and mindful break. Topics vary; second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Free | Registration required.

Family Experience: Interactive Virtual Tour: Friday, June 18 starting at 6 p.m. Imprisoned but Empowered: Cheyenne Warrior Artists Free | Registration required.

Studio on the Go: Drop-in Art Making Activity: Sunday, June 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. Imprisoned but Empowered: Cheyenne Warrior Artists Free with Museum admission.

GARDEN CONCERT:
Two options for a socially distanced experience. Attend one or both! Saturday, June 26
First concert: 4:30 p.m. Doors open. 5 to 5:30 p.m. “Let’s Ride Brass Band”. 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. “The Groove Coalition”. Prices vary | Registration required.

Second concert: 7 p.m. Doors Open 7:30 to 8 p.m. “Let’s Ride Brass Band”. 8 to 9 p.m. “The Groove Coalition”. Sponsored by Joan & Jim Van Vleck.

New Exhibition: Imprisoned but Empowered: Cheyenne Warrior Artists at Fort Marion. Now on view. In 1875, following the Red River War, the United States government ordered the arrest of 72 Cheyenne, Kiowa, Comanche, Caddo, and Arapaho warriors. Taken from their families, they arrived at Ft. Marion in St. Augustine, their home for the next three years. For nearly 100 years, this narrative was told and retold by historians and government agents.  However, the Cheyenne have their own story to tell: a story highlighting the journey east, as well as the life they left behind. A story told in art. Click here to learn more.

Cummer Shop: Visit the Museum store in person, or from the comfort of home through their online shop.

Recommended Reading! One of the museum’s new favorites - Art from Fort Marion: The Silberman Collection. Striking color images depict traditional lifeways and the pain of imprisonment by artists who graphically recorded their responses to incarceration in drawings that conveyed both their present reality and their nostalgic memories.

In order to prioritize the health of our guests and our staff, and to minimize touch points and onsite capacity, all visitors must reserve a timed ticket for entry. Timed tickets are available Tuesday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 4 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 to 4 p.m. RESERVE YOUR ADMISSION TICKET NOW Facial Masks are strongly recommended!

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

Don’t miss ‘They/Them/Their’ (Zanele Muholi) at The Cummer Museum

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is proud to present “Zanele Muholi: Somnyama Ngonyama, Hail The Dark Lioness”, an internationally touring exhibition organized by Autograph, London and curated by Renée Mussai. These magnificent self-portraits were taken throughout the US, and all over the world, as you will note next to each photograph.

The exhibit was brought to Jacksonville, FL due to a redirection caused by the COIVD pandemic. There has not been a more controversial display of blackness since the Augusta Savage showings from Oct. 12, 2018 to Sun., Apr. 7, 2019. The Museum will be the final venue for this exhibition in the United States.

In more than 72 self-portraits and wallpapers, celebrated visual activist Zanele Muholi (South African, b. 1972) uses “their” body as a canvas to confront the deeply personal politics of race and representation in the visual archive. “Their” ongoing series Somnyama Ngonyama, which translates to ‘Hail The Dark Lioness’ from isiZulu, one of the official languages of South Africa, playfully employs the conventions of classical painting, fashion photography and the familiar tropes of ethnographic imagery to rearticulate contemporary identity politics. Each black and white self-portrait asks critical questions about social (in)justice, human rights and contested representations of the Black body.

Muholi states, “I’m reclaiming my blackness, which I feel is continuously performed by the privileged other. My reality is that I do not mimic being Black; it is my skin, and the experience of being Black is deeply entrenched in me. Just like our ancestors, we live as Black people 365 days a year, and we should speak without fear.”

Throughout the series, the dark complexion of Muholi’s skin (intensified through enhanced contrast applied in post-production) becomes the focal point of a profound, multilayered interrogation of beauty, pride, desire, self-care, well-being and the many interlinked phobias and isms navigated daily such as homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, racism and sexism, to name but a few.

“Zanele Muholi’s visually arresting self-portraits compel viewers to consider timely topics such as contrast, dignity, solidarity, difference, history and activism in meaningful ways,” said Andrea Barnwell Brownlee, Ph.D., the Museum’s George W. and Kathleen I. Gibbs Director and Chief Executive Officer. “Each one invites deep looking and, ultimately, encourages viewers to ask themselves critical questions about empathy, courage and the power of each and every voice.”

The exhibition features photographs taken between 2012 - 2019 in cities across Europe, North America, Asia and Africa. Muholi's socially-engaged, radical brand of self-portraiture transforms found objects and quotidian materials into dramatic and historically loaded props, merging the political with the personal, aesthetics with history — often commenting on specific events in South Africa’s past, as well as urgent global concerns pertinent to our present times: scouring pads and latex gloves address themes of domestic servitude while alluding to sexual politics, cultural violence and the often-suffocating prisms of gendered identities. Rubber tires, cable ties or electrical cords invoke forms of social brutality and exploitation; sheets of plastic and polythene draw attention to environmental issues and global waste, while accessories like cowrie shells and beaded fly whisks highlight Western fascinations with clichéd, exoticized representations of African cultures and people.

Gazing defiantly at the camera, Muholi challenges viewers’ perceptions while firmly asserting their cultural and sexual identity on their own terms. When you gaze upon each photo, see what is in plain sight and what might be buried in your own observations. This writer saw a surprising resemblance of Zanele Muholi to songstress Nina Simone.

About Zanele Muholi: Zanele Muholi is a visual activist and photographer based in Johannesburg. Muholi’s self- proclaimed mission is “to re-write a Black queer and trans visual history of South Africa for the world to know of our resistance and existence at the height of hate crimes in South Africa and beyond.”

“They” (Muholi’s preferred pronoun) co-founded the Forum for Empowerment of Women (FEW) in 2002 (www.inkanyiso.org), and in 2009 founded Inkanyiso (www.inkanyiso.org), a forum for queer and visual (activist) media. They continue to train and co-facilitate photography workshops for young women in South African townships, and engage in a variety of community supported programs.

“Zanele Muholi”: Somnyama Ngonyama,
    Hail The Dark Lioness

DATES: April 15 – June 20, 2021

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

Cummer Museum of Arts and Gardens is ready for April

Spring is finally in the air and it’s time to go to the Cummer for a safe cultural experience. This month the museum will present exciting inhouse activities and some educational informative online events. Get your tickets and get in on the action.

Events & Programs:
Yoga in the Cummer Gardens: Thursday, April 8 @10 a.m. Enjoy a gentle, mindful yoga hour.
Members $10 | Non-Members $15. Registration required.

LiterARTure: Holocaust Remembrance, Stolen Yet Found: Wednesday, April 21 @
7 p.m. | Virtual Lecture - 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.

Mobile Photography Studio in the Gardens: Saturday, April 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Inspired by Zanele Muholi’s mobile studio concept, participants can use Museum-provided polaroid cameras to create their own self-portrait. Free | Registration required.

Culture & Conversation: with Kimberly Jenkins: Thursday, April 29 @7 p.m. | Virtual Lecture. Lecturer, researcher and fashion consultant who specializes in the sociocultural and historical influences behind why we wear what we wear. Free | Registration required.

Friday Night Picnics: Friday nights in April from 5 to 9 p.m. Prices vary | Registration required.

Education:
Acrylic Painting: with Allison Watson - April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12 Six week class | 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Members $270 | Non-Members $360. Registration required.

Basic Drawing: with William McMahan: April 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6, 13. Six-week class | 1 to 4 p.m. Members $270 | Non-Members $360. Registration required.

Slow Art Wednesdays: Wednesday, April 14 & Wednesday, April 28. Take a fun and mindful break. Second and Fourth Wednesdays. Topics vary | Virtual Lectures from 12 to 1 p.m. Free | Registration required.

Make & Take Tuesday: Tuesday, April 13. Clay: Explore the fluidity of creating with clay.  Tuesday, April 20. Print: Sketch an original idea and create a printing plate. In the studio | Ages 12 and up from 5 to 7 p.m. Members $45 | Non-Members $60. Registration required.

Family Experience: Interactive Virtual Tour: Friday, April 16 @6 p.m. Free | Registration required.

Studio on the Go: Drop-in Art Making Activity: Sunday, April 18 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Free with admission.

Teachers' Virtual Lounge: Connect with Educators: Tuesday, April 27 @5 p.m. Free | Registration required.

Summer Art Camp: Calling all young artists! Check online for details.

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