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

Broadway celebrates Veterans Day

Stage Aurora Theatrical Company will be presenting “Broadway Celebrates Veterans Day”, a virtual concert of Broadway performers celebrating our military veterans and those who have served - and are currently serving - in the Armed Forces. The concert began streaming on the Stage Aurora Theatrical Company's YouTube page Saturday, November 7 at 12 p.m. and will be available for viewing through Veteran's Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2020.

Attendance is free with a suggested donation of $25. Proceeds from the concert will benefit Northeast Florida Women Veterans of Jacksonville and Stage Aurora Theatrical Company. For more information, please visit www.stageaurora.org .

Broadway Celebrates Veteran's Day will feature many of your favorite Broadway performers, musicians, and crew singing and performing in this 'can't miss' virtual concert of heartfelt thanks and recognition to the hundreds of thousands who have served and continue to serve to keep this country safe. Hear favorite selections such as "The Impossible Dream," "Imagine," "America the Beautiful," "Boogie, Woogie, Bugle Boy," and much more.

The virtual concert will feature Tony nominee Robert Cuccioli (Broadway: Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, Jekyll & Hyde), Darius de Haas (Broadway: Shuffle Along, Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921...), Jarrod Emick (Broadway: Ring of Fire, Damn Yankees), Darryl Reuben Hall (Broadway: Godspell, Cinderella), Janet Hubert (Broadway: Cats, "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air"), Tony award winner Cady Huffman (Broadway: The Will Rogers Folliies, The Producers), Renee Lawless (Broadway National: Wicked, "The Haves and The Have Nots"), N'Kenge (Broadway: Caroline or Change, Motown The Musical), Randy Redd (Broadway: Million Dollar Quartet, Parade), Cody Renard Richard (Broadway Stage Manager), Desmond Richardson (Broadway: Fosse, Chicago), Angela Robinson (Broadway: The Color Purple), "The Haves and The Have Nots"), Justin Matthew Sargent (Broadway: Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, Rock of Ages), Tony award winner Ben Vereen (Broadway:Pippin), Bethaney Wellings-Davies (West End: Cabaret, Phantom of the Opera), NaTasha Yvette Williams (Broadway: Waitress, The Color Purple), and Vanessa Williams (Broadway: Into the Woods, Kiss of the Spider Woman). Artists subject to change.

"As Founder of Stage Aurora Theatrical Company, Inc., I'm incredibly grateful for this special opportunity to give back to those who've completely given of themselves in the armed forces through bravery and courage," states Darryl Reuben Hall. "My goal is to continue to produce 'theatre that enlightens'. Through the universal language of music and song, we all can celebrate in this moment of sheer entertainment, enlightenment, and joy. This is a musical celebration of thanks."

The event is stage managed by Roumel Reaux and directed by Darryl Reuben Hall. Consultants on the virtual concert are Tim and Pamela Kashani (Apples and Oranges Arts), and Tegan Summer.

Click On This Link To View on Wednesday, Veterans Day, November 11. Attendance Is Free. Suggested donation: $25 to assist the Northeast Florida Women Veterans of Jacksonville and Stage Aurora Theatrical Company those in the theater.

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is FREE on Veterans Day

Today, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens announced it will celebrate Veterans Day with free admission for all guests on Wednesday, November 11, presented by VyStar Credit Union.

The Museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy full access to the Museum’s permanent collection, gardens and signature exhibition, Cross Pollination: Heade, Cole, Church and Our Contemporary Moment. The Cummer Café will be open through 3 p.m.

“We are grateful to VyStar Credit Union for providing access to our community to experience all the benefits the Museum provides,” said Kerrie Slattery, Interim Director and Chief Advancement Officer of the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. “We hope that our neighbors come take a moment, reflect on the sacrifices of our military community and express their appreciation for the service they provide.

“Since our founding in 1952 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, VyStar has shared a deep connection with our servicemen and servicewomen,” said Brian Wolfburg, President/CEO of VyStar Credit Union. “We are honored to once again partner with the Cummer Museum to show our appreciation, and there is no better time to do so than Veterans Day. We hope these men and women and their families can come together to enjoy a wonderful day at a true local landmark and know that we are thankful for their service.”

To minimize touch points and monitor onsite capacity, all visitors must reserve tickets online in advance of their visit.

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