Following Hurricane Irma, the Museum’s safety committee reviewed emergency
preparedness procedures and updated it based on effects from Irma, a practice
that the safety committee performs following each storm. New areas of preparedness have been identified
and will be implemented.
The Museum is looking into mitigation options, to minimize damage in the
future. For example, plants that are
more tolerant of salt will be planted, and sealed lighting fixtures will be
installed that can be submerged for a period of time.
Garden reconstruction remains a major undertaking and focus. The Cummer
advisors, WLA Studio, are preparing comprehensive recommendations that honor their
inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places while being mindful of
practical environmental considerations. Much of the necessary infrastructure repairs,
including new electrical and irrigation systems, will be completed over the
summer.
The Cummer Gardens anticipate being ready to put plants in the ground late fall
or early spring and look forward to sharing more details about their grand
reopening celebration soon. Stay tuned
and please keep the restoration donations coming.
The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is proud to present “In the Garden,” on view February 2
through April 22, 2018. The exhibition features
more than 100 photographs from the George Eastman Museum collection that
explore how humans cultivate the
landscapes that surround them, and the ways in which photography has
recorded, interpreted, or staged the cultivated landscape in its many shapes
and forms. From famous locations to the simplest home vegetable garden, from
worlds imagined by artists to food production recorded by journalists, these
images broaden our understanding of how photography has been used to record
gardens.
Spanning the history of photography and photographic processes from the 19th-century
daguerreotype to inkjet prints, the exhibition looks at how photography has
been key in documenting humans’ relationship to nature. Some of the first photographs were photograms
of plant materials — direct records of the structures of botanical specimens. However, 19th-century photographers also
called upon the artistic tradition of still life paintings, capturing
compositions of floral bouquets or objects in a garden. As photography quickly became accepted as a
method for recording the world, photographs became stand-ins for landscapes
that most people could not visit — a visual access to cultures and gardens
around the world.
This exhibition is even more relevant in the context of Arthur and Ninah
Cummer and their experience of creating and utilizing their gardens and other
garden spaces in their family, social, and civic lives. In particular, Ninah’s
love for the cultivated landscape, and for outdoor spaces that promoted
gatherings, contemplation, and respite, still impacts the Jacksonville community.
It comes as no surprise
that, in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma’s fury, the Jacksonville community
longed to see the Cummer Gardens and other cultivated public spaces return to
their previous beauty and purpose. Although
In the Garden had been planned for a
while, an exhibition about the beauty of gardens and nature, seen through the
lens of a camera, could not be more relevant. “As we are still in the reconstructive phase of our historical gardens,
it is very timely that we present an exhibition about photographers who
celebrate the beauty, uniqueness, and significance of these cultivated spaces,” said Associate Curator Nelda Damiano.
Members of the community, and lovers of art and nature, may continue to donate
directly to the Garden Reconstruction Fund at www.cummermuseum.org/garden-reconstruction,
as they visit the beauty of the museum.
Cummer Museum of
Art & Gardens
829 Riverside Avenue
Jacksonville, Florida 32204
(904) 356-6857
Hours of Operation & Admission
Update: Garden Concert - The
Garden Concert has been moved to Riverside Arts Market, under the Fuller Warren
bridge.
The newest exhibition at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Bijoux
Parisiens: French Jewelry from the Petit Palais, Paris, will be on view October 13, 2017
through January 7, 2018, featuring more than 100 works of jewelry and drawings,
fashion prints, paintings, and photographs.
Exhibition produced by the Petit Palais, City of Paris Fine Art Museum,
Paris Musées.
Bijoux Parisiens explores the
intriguing intersection of French history, art, and fashion. Bringing together
dazzling works from the great jewelry houses of Boucheron, Cartier, Chaumet,
Lalique, and Van Cleef & Arpels that call Paris home, this exhibition tells
the story of French jewelry from the 17th to the 20th century.
Holly Keris, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Curator at the Museum,
says, “The Cummer Museum is thrilled to share Bijoux Parisiens with the community. Jewelry – from design to
execution – is a creative art form with a unique history. The exhibition traces this rich history
through fine works of art, including design drawings, and stellar pieces of
jewelry, from before the time of Louis XIV (r. 1643–1715) through World War II.
It is going to be a showstopper!”
Bijoux Parisiens illustrates the
historic events and influences that shaped French art and helped establish the
great Parisian maisons that remain household names to this day. Bijoux Parisiens opens to members and
the community on Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 6 p.m.
Events for Bijoux
Parisiens include:
Bijoux Parisiens: French Jewelry from The Petit
Palais, Paris Ponce De León Society
Private Opening. Wed,
Oct. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. Free for PDL
donors only | RSVP requested.
Bijoux
Parisiens: French Jewelry from The Petit Palais, Paris
Member Preview. Thurs, Oct. 12 from noon to
4 p.m. Free. No registration required.
Bijoux
Parisiens: French Jewelry from The Petit Palais, Paris Member
& Community Opening Party. Thurs., Oct. 12 from 6 to 8
p.m. Members Free, Non-Members $10. Registration required.
Garden
Concert: French Horn Collective. Fri., Nov. 3. Doors open at 6 p.m., Concert from 7 to 9
p.m. Members $20, Non-Members $25 and
Tables $400. Registration required.
“Stoned:
Jewelry, Obsession, And How Desire Shapes The World” – An Evening With Aja
Raden. Thurs., Nov. 16 from 6:30
to 8:30 p.m. Members $30, Non-Members
$40. Registration required.
Classical
Concert: Bijoux Parisiens With
the Les Amin Woodwind Quintet. Sun.,
Nov. 19, 1:30 p.m. Free with admission. Registration required.
Jewelry
Making Workshop. Thurs., Dec. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. Members
$30, Non-Members $40. Registration
required.
Cummer
Museum of Art & Gardens
829 Riverside Avenue
Jacksonville, Florida 32204
(904) 356-6857
Hours of Operation &
Admission
The Gardens will continue to recover
as the Cummer Museum of the Arts continue to educate and entertain the people
of Jacksonville, Florida and their visitors.
We are JAX strong!
Florida Blue Free Tuesday – Each Tues. 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 free admission to the Galleries and
Gardens. Each Tuesday evening, the
Cummer Café is open for Tapas Tuesday sponsored by VyStar Credit Union.
Tapas Tuesday – Each Tues. evening
from 5 to 7:30 p.m. | The Cummer Café.
Reservations recommended. Tap
into Tapas Tuesday sponsored by VyStar Credit Union at the Cummer Café. Every
Tuesday from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on the Cummer Café patio, 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.
Cummer Amelia: An Evening In The Arts –
Thur., Oct. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. Members
Free, Non-Members $15. Registration
required. Fernandina Beach Library. Join Cummer Amelia for an Evening in the Arts
at the Fernandina Beach Library. Local
artist Kathy Miller will present her paintings from recent travels which
feature food from around the country and highlight dishes from each football
stadium in the Southeastern Conference. Guests
are invited to enjoy live music, an art-making opportunity, small bites, and
beverages. For further information
please visit cummermuseum.org/amelia,
or contact Wendy Mayle,
or call (904) 899-6007.
Cummer Beaches Lecture Series: Renaissance
And Baroque Women Artists. Thur., Oct. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. Free. No registration required. Beaches Museum & History Park Chapel. Cummer Beaches and the Beaches Museum
& History Park partner for a lecture series on “Women Artists from the
Renaissance to Abstract Expressionism” by Cummer Museum Director of Education
Lynn Norris. Explore the women artists who were prominent in their own time,
forgotten by history, and rediscovered when the first feminist art historians
began asking, “Why are there no great women artists?” For further information, please visit here, or contact Wendy Mayle, or call (904)
899-6007.
Weaver
First Saturday Free for All – Sat., Oct. 7
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. No registration required. The first Sat. of each month at the Cummer
Museum is FREE FOR ALL, thanks to the generous support of J. Wayne and Delores
Barr Weaver. Guests can enjoy free admission, as well as art-making activities
for all ages in the Cummer Gardens, live music, and a Docent-led tour at 2 p.m.
ENVIROFEST – Sat., Oct. 7 from
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. No registration required. Join us as we seek ways to cultivate curiosity,
respect, and understanding of our shared natural environment, and the plant and
animal wildlife in and around the neighborhoods of Jacksonville. Along with
yoga, plein-air artists, live music, and eco-friendly art projects,
representatives from various environmental agencies will be onsite with
interactive information and activities. For further information, please call (904)
899-6038.
Bank
Of America And Merrill Lynch Museums On Us
– Sun., Oct. 8 from Noon to 4 p.m. | Free to Cardholders. No registration required. The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens offers
free admission on the first Sunday of the first full weekend of the month to
all Bank of America or Merrill Lynch cardholders through the Museums on Us
program. Each cardholder receives one
free general admission to the Museum. For more information on the Museum's
programming and events, please call (904) 899-6038.
Bijoux Parisiens: French Jewelry From The
Petit Palais, Paris Pdl Opening – Wed., Oct. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. | Free |
RSVP requested. Please join them for a
reception with live music, cocktails, small bites, and remarks. This exclusive
event is for Ponce de León Society Donors only and their guests. For further information or to register, please
call (904) 899-6025.
Bijoux
Parisiens: French Jewelry From The Petit Palias, Paris Member Preview — Thurs., Oct. 12 from Noon to 4
p.m. | Free | No registration required. Museum Members are invited to
view the exhibition before it opens to the public, with docent-led tours each
hour, and a 20% discount in the Shop and Café. For further information, please
call (904) 899-6038.
Bijoux
Parisiens: French Jewelry From The Petit Palais, Paris Member & Community Opening — Thur., Oct. 12 from
6 to 8 p.m. | Members Free, Non-Members $10 | Registration required. Join the Museum for the opening celebration of Bijoux Parisiens: French Jewelry from the
Petit Palais, Paris. The evening
will host The Bleu Cats Gypsy Jazz group, tastes of French-inspired treats,
exciting new merchandise in the Shop, beer, wine, and remarks from Associate
Curator Nelda Damiano at 6:30 p.m. You
are encouraged to dress for an evening of fun in your best French, gypsy, or
‘20s attire. For further information or
to register, please call (904) 899-6038.
Talks & Tea A Collector’s Eye: Celebrating Joseph Jeffers Dodge — Wed., Oct. 18 from
1:30 to 2:30 p.m. | Members Free, Non-Members $6 | Registration required. You are invited to the Museum to enjoy an
insightful talk over a cup of tea and a sweet treat, led by Associate Curator
Nelda Damiano on Joseph Jeffers Dodge. For further information or to register, please
call (904) 899-6038.
Art for Tots: Play Your Instruments! – Sat., Oct. 21
from 9 to 10 a.m. | Members $15 per pair, Non-Members $20 per pair. Registration required. This class is for children ages 24 to 36 months
and an accompanying adult. Children will
view The Concert by Theodoor Rombouts
and discuss what they think is happening in the painting. Families will identify instruments and play
them as the class hears them in various music pieces. In the studio, families will explore recycled
materials to construct musical instruments. The creations will be used in a grand finale!
Art for Tots is funded through the generosity of the Chartrand Family
Foundation. Space is limited, so
reservations are encouraged. Entry is
through Art Connections. For further information, please email or call (904) 355-0630.
Art Adventures: Sculpture! Sat., Oct. 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Members
$10, Non-Members $15 | Registration required.
Ages 6 through 12. Join us on the third Saturday
of each month for studio classes. In
this class, students will explore works of sculpture from the Museum’s
permanent collection before returning to the studio to construct
three-dimensional works of their own. Projects will be completed within one class
period. Open to children ages 6 through
12. Class size is limited. For further
information, please email
or call (904) 355 0630.
History Of Western Art: Early Christian To
High Renaissance Art
— Tues., Oct. 24 from 10:30
a.m. to noon | Members Free, Non-Members $10.
Brush up
on your art history for personal enjoyment as Director of Education Lynn Norris
leads you through the history of Western Art, including time in the galleries. Space is limited. For further information, please email or call (904)
355-0630.
Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
829 Riverside Avenue
Jacksonville, Florida 32204
(904) 356-6857
Hours of Operation &
Admission
The Cummer Gardens were severely impacted by
Hurricane Irma and will be closed to the public. While the staff, collection, and building of
the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens were not substantially affected, the
historic Cummer Gardens sustained extensive damage. The lower tier of all three formal garden
spaces, which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, remained
submerged for more than 24 hours, resulting in the uprooting of plants,
detached railing along the river, broken lighting, pervasive salinization of
the soil, large amounts of debris, and significant impact to much of the
physical infrastructure, including drainage, electric, fencing, and the well
that services the landscape.
Nearly $1 million has been invested in the gardens in recent years, including
the restoration of the historic Olmsted Garden in 2013 and the English Garden
in 2017, reconstruction of the Italian Garden Folly, relaying of brick
pathways, updating of drainage systems, conservation of sculptures and
fountains, fortification of the bulkhead, and installation of new bulkhead
railing in 2016-2017. The Garden Folly
structure, brick pathways, and English Garden fountain remain intact.
Museum leadership is working with vendors and contractors to further assess the
situation, make some immediate repairs, and create a plan and timeline to
reconstruct the gardens. Additionally,
staff is working with colleagues at other historic gardens, as resources for
best practices and to locate opportunities for funding. At this time, there is no projected reopen
date for the gardens.
The Cummer Gardens contain a variety of historic plant materials, including
many historic species of azaleas that were planted in Mrs. Cummer’s time and
cannot be readily purchased. As many of
the plant species in the gardens are no longer commercially available, Museum
staff has worked over the years to propagate the specimens that remained on the
property. The scarcity of some of the
historic plant material makes the reconstruction effort a unique challenge.
“As a museum and an institution listed in
the National Register of Historic Places, historical accuracy and integrity are
of the utmost importance,” says Holly Keris, Chief Operating Officer &
Chief Curator of the Cummer Museum. “We will be working as quickly as possible
to create a plan for the future of these beloved gardens. Although the damage
to the gardens is extensive, we are fortunate that the staff is safe and the
building and collection were unharmed. It could have been much worse.”
Many people in the community have reached out to offer volunteer assistance
after the storm. However, because of
hazards in the lower gardens (including exposed electrical wiring, community),
volunteers will not be allowed on the property at this time for a large-scale
cleanup. The historic gardens are being
evaluated by their landscaping firm for next steps. Staff is working to ensure that the Museum’s
interior spaces are ready to open to the public on Thursday, September
14, for regular business hours. There is
no projected reopen date for the gardens. Staff is also working to contact individuals
and organizations that may have upcoming rental events in the gardens.
The Museum staff and leadership would like to thank the community for their
outpouring of support. While the gardens
are inaccessible to the public, the Museum will be offering half-price
admission. Should visitors choose to pay
full price, half of the admission fee will be applied to the Garden
Reconstruction Fund as a donation. “As reconstruction costs are unknown at this
time, any contributions are welcome and appreciated to help restore these
spaces as quickly as possible,” states Keris. Members of the community, and lovers of art
and nature, may donate directly to the Garden Reconstruction Fund at www.cummermuseum.org/garden-reconstruction.
