JAX Mayor proclaims Feb ‘Augusta Savage Month’

Cummer Museum Staff showing Savage proclaimation

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is pleased to announce that Mayor Lenny Curry has proclaimed February 2019 as Augusta Savage Month in Jacksonville, Florida.  The Cummer Museum is currently featuring Savage’s work in its exhibition “Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman.”  February is also the artist’s birth month and will be the United States’ 43rd Annual Black History Month.

Savage, a Green Cove Springs native, became an accomplished sculptor and is widely considered a core figure in the Harlem Renaissance.  Savage faced racism, sexism, and discrimination throughout her life, which hampered her commercial pursuits.  The “Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman” exhibition is the largest ever organized by the Museum and the most comprehensive exhibition highlighting Savage’s unique story.  The exhibition includes sculptures, watercolors, historical photos from Savage’s life and career as well as historical artifacts and the works of her students.

“Savage’s history and place in our city, state and nation should be honored,” said the Cummer Museum’s George W. and Kathleen I. Gibbs Director & Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Adam Levine. “With our current exhibition, the Cummer Museum and guest curator Jeffreen Hayes are leading the effort to tell Savage’s story and further explore and solidify her place in history.  We thank Mayor Curry for recognizing her contributions to North Florida and beyond.”

Savage (1892 – 1962), a female sculptor, overcame poverty, racism, and gender discrimination to become one of this country’s most influential artists of the 20th century, playing a pivotal role in the development of some of this country’s most celebrated artists, including William Artis, Romare Bearden, Gwendolyn Bennett, Robert Blackburn, Gwendolyn Knight, Jacob Lawrence, and Norman Lewis.

A prodigious and highly-acclaimed artist in her own right, Savage achieved excellence through talent, self-determination, and vision, ultimately creating sculptures and large-scale commissions that elevated positive images of Black culture into mainstream America.  She was the first Black woman to open her own gallery, challenging exclusive arts institutions to recognize the talent of Black artists.  As a community organizer and teacher, Savage’s commitment to mentorship and education became a model for other art schools run by the Works Progress Administration (WPA).  Savage is best known for “The Harp”, her commissioned sculpture for the 1939 World’s Fair, and is recognized in American Black history as an educator and important community leader.

“Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman” can be viewed and enjoyed with regular Museum admission during the exhibition dates.  As always, it is free for anyone in the community on Florida Blue Free Tuesdays from 4 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday evening and again on Weaver First Saturday Free for All, held the first Saturday of each month.  A full companion program and events calendar will support the exhibit and additional community events, private tours and receptions can be booked in conjunction with the exhibit by visiting this LINK.  Exhibit Dates: Fri., Oct. 12, 2018 to Sun., Apr. 7, 2019

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

Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens February 2019

Augusta Savage

Cummer Gardens in the afternoon

If you missed all the fantastic January events - you may want to resolve to make additional calendar reminders for Feb.  Of the many events that happened last month, you missed the spectacular “Artful Umami Japanese Dinner Party” & the “Martin Luther King Jr tribute events at he Cummer and also the Ritz Theater/Museum.  Take a good look at next month’s listings of things to see and do in downtown Jacksonville, Florida.  Don’t be left out in the cold - even the Gardens are pleasant during this time of the year.

Florida Blue Free Tuesday - Each 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 free admission to the Galleries.

Tapas Tuesday - Tap into Tapas Tuesday sponsored by VyStar Credit Union at the Cummer Café.  Reservations recommended!  Every Tuesday from 5 to 8 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.

Weaver First Saturday Free for All - Sat., Feb. 2 from 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, Feb.3 | 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.

Art-Rageous!: Augusta Savage with The Jacksonville Public Library - Wed., Feb. 6 | 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. | Free | No registration required | Ages 12-18.  JPL Main Library.  This program will educate participants on the life and work of artist Augusta Savage, and will increase participants’ cultural competence and creativity, through art activities and educational discussion. This event will be held at and hosted by the Jacksonville Public Library in their Teen Department at the Main Library.

“Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman” Book Discussion with The Jacksonville Public Library - Sat, Feb 9 | 1 to 2 p.m. | Free | No registration required.  JPL Main Library.  A book discussion centered around the recent release “Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman”, the most current scholarship focused exclusively on Savage.  Come prepared to explore how author Jeffreen M. Hayes, Ph.D. portrays this ground-breaking artist who faced multiple obstacles including poverty, racism, and sexual discrimination.  Dr. Hayes is also the guest curator of the Cummer Museum exhibition by the same name.  This adult-focused event will be held at and hosted by the Jacksonville Public Library in their Special Collections Department at the Main Library.

History Of Western Gardens: The Baroque Garden - Tues., Feb. 12 | 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. | Members Free, Non-Members $10 | Registration required.  Explore garden history through this four-part lecture series. Join Museum staff for a trip through some of the world’s great gardens as we trace the connections between art and gardens. Space is limited. For further information, please email education@cummermuseum.org or call 904.355.0630.

Talks & Tea: Augusta Savage - Wed., Feb. 13 | 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 Augusta Savage led by Museum staff over a cup of tea and a sweet treat.  For further information or to register, please call 904.899.6023.

Art Adventures: Ancient Art - Sat., Feb. 16 | 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Members $10, Non-Members $15 | Registration required.  Ages 6 through 12.  Join the museum on the third Saturday of each month for studio classes.  In this class students will view and discuss works from the civilizations of ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, which will inspire them to create their own work in the studio with sgraffito.  Class size is limited.  For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

Books & Bricks - Augusta Savage Sculpts! (And So Can You!) With The Jacksonville Public Library - Sat., Feb. 16 | 2 to 3 p.m. | Free | No registration required | Ages 5 to 12.  JPL Main Library.  This program will introduce school-aged children to local sculptor Augusta Savage, her role in the Harlem Renaissance, her work for equal rights in the arts, as well as her teaching studio fostering a rising generation of artists. Children will create a collaborative Lego display and discuss her life and career. This event will be held at and hosted by the Jacksonville Public Library in their Terry Children’s Theater at the Main Library.

Family Open Studio: Presidents’ Day - Sun., Feb. 17 | 1 to 3 p.m. | Free | No registration required.  Free art-making activity in the Art Connections studios for all ages! For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

History Of Western Art: Realism, Impressionism, and Post-Impressionism - Tues., Feb. 19 | 10:30 a.m. to Noon | Members Free, Non-Members $10 | Registration required.  Explore art history through this monthly series of lectures that includes time in the galleries.  Brush up on your art history for personal enjoyment as Museum staff leads you through the history of Western Art. Space is limited.  For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

Art For Tots: It’s All In The Family - Sat., Feb. 23 | 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. | Members $10, Non-Members $15 per pair | Registration required.  Ages 2 & 3 with an adult.  In this class children will visit the gallery to view a painting of a family. In the gallery they will explore who is in their family and create their own family portraits.  Then in the studio they will create art pieces that reflect their own family identities.  Entry is through Art Connections.  Class size is limited.  For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

Art Fundamentals: Acrylic Painting - Wed., Feb. 27 through Apr. 3 | 1 to 4:30 p.m. | Members $180, Non-Members $210 | Registration required Ages 18 and up.  Instructor Allison Watson introduces painting to beginning students and strengthens the skills of intermediate painters. Learn composition for landscape and still life, color theory, and techniques in acrylic. Participants may sign up for multiple sessions. Supplies are not included. For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

Ritz Chamber Concert: Augusta Savage - Wed., Feb. 27 | 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.  The performance will be in honor of Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman and in celebration of Black History Month.  For further information or to register, please call 904.899.6023.

Cummer Amelia an Afternoon of Art: Rome as a Center for The Arts - Thurs., Feb. 28 | 2 to 4 p.m. | Free | No registration required.  Fernandina Beach Branch Library.
This presentation will focus on the Eternal City as a source of opportunity and patronage for artists such Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini, and countless others.  The central role of Rome as an artistic and training hub was sustained by the presence of wealthy merchants, bankers, ecclesiastic figures and, of course, the Church.  Artists from all corners of Europe, and later the United States, from the 15th century forward, flocked to the Italian city.  Works from the Museum’s collection offer many examples, including paintings by Claude Lorrain and Charles-Joseph Natoire.  For further information, please contact Brittany Nazario or call 904.899.6007.


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

‘Augusta Savage Exhibit’ showing only at the Cummer Museum

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens announces its upcoming fall and spring exhibition “Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman.”  The exhibition, one of the most significant organized by the Museum in its history, will open in October for a rare double-run through April 2019. Savage is a Green Cove Springs, Florida native who became a noted Harlem Renaissance leader, educator, artist, and catalyst for change.

The exhibition assembled by the Cummer Museum from 21 national public and private lenders presents Savage’s small and medium-size sculptures in bronze and other media alongside works by artists she mentored.  Many of the works that will be on display are rarely seen publicly.  It took more than three years for guest curator and art historian, Jeffreen M. Hayes, Ph.D. to plan and assemble.  The Museum’s Savage Exhibition Planning and Community Advisory Committee includes museum trustees and notable Black leaders and artists: Carol Alexander, Dustin Harewood, Barbara Harrell, Marty Jones, Princess Simpson Rashid, James Richardson, and Adonnica Toler.

In addition to the exhibition, the Museum has created a companion catalogue that chronicles the history of this important Black artist.  Published internationally by London-based firm D Giles Limited, this hardcover book further explores Savage’s impact and legacy.  Contributors include Jeffreen M. Hayes, Ph.D., Kirsten Pai Buick, Ph.D. (University of New Mexico, Albuquerque), Bridget R. Cooks, Ph.D. (University of California, Irvine), with a foreword by Dr. Howard Dodson, Jr., Director Emeritus of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.  The book is available in October on Amazon and at the Cummer Museum Shop.

When its double-run concludes in April, “Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman” will travel nationally to the New-York Historical Society, the Palmer Museum of Art at Pennsylvania State University, and the Dixon Gallery & Gardens (Memphis).  This marks the first time a Cummer Museum-organized exhibition of this scale will travel to multiple national venues.

Savage (1892 – 1962), a female sculptor, overcame poverty, racism, and sexual discrimination to become one of this country’s most influential artists of the 20th century, playing a pivotal role in the development of some of this country’s most celebrated artists, including: William Artis, Romare Bearden, Gwendolyn Bennett, Robert Blackburn, Gwendolyn Knight, Jacob Lawrence, and Norman Lewis.

While Savage’s artistic skill was widely acclaimed nationally and internationally during her lifetime, this exhibition provides a critical examination of her artistic legacy, positioning Savage as a leading figure whose far-reaching and multifaceted approach to facilitating cultural and social change is especially relevant in terms of today’s interest in activism.

A prodigious and highly-acclaimed artist in her own right, Savage achieved excellence through talent, self-determination, and vision, ultimately creating sculptures and large-scale commissions that elevated positive images of Black culture into mainstream America.  As a leader in the Harlem Renaissance, she worked with other leaders, writers, musicians, and artists to showcase the contributions of Black culture.  She was the first Black woman to open her own gallery, challenging exclusive arts institutions to recognize the talent of Black artists.  As a community organizer and teacher, Savage’s commitment to mentorship and education became a model for other art schools run by the Works Progress Administration (WPA).  Savage is best known for “The Harp” her commissioned sculpture for the 1939 World’s Fair, and is recognized in American Black history as an educator and important community leader.

“The Cummer Museum is committed to presenting a broad calendar of temporary exhibitions with the capacity to illuminate diverse areas of art history and artistic production,” said Holly Keris, acting director of the Cummer Museum. “The Museum embraces themes and topics with strong community relevance that challenge our audience’s preconceived opinions. The Augusta Savage exhibition is a proud testament to our commitment to the community.”

The Museum seeks to connect its resources to contemporary issues, increase engagement by providing new perspectives on familiar and unfamiliar concepts, and cement the Cummer Museum as the place in Jacksonville where visitors can connect the arts to their everyday lives.

“Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman” can be viewed and enjoyed with regular Museum admission during the exhibition dates.  As always, it is free for anyone in the community on Florida Blue Free Tuesdays from 4 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday evening and again on Weaver First Saturday Free for All, held the first Saturday of each month.  A full companion program and events calendar will support the exhibit and additional community events, private tours and receptions can be booked in conjunction with the exhibit by visiting this link.

DATES: Fri., Oct. 12, 2018 to Sun., Apr. 7, 2019
Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
  829 Riverside Avenue
  Jacksonville, Florida 32204
  (904) 356-6857
  Hours of Operation & Admission

$10,000 awarded to the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu has approved more than $82 million to fund local arts projects across the country in the NEA’s second major funding announcement for fiscal year 2017.  Included in this announcement is an Art Works award of $10,000 to the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens to support the creation and implementation of the exhibition Augusta Savage: Artist-Community-Activist, to be on view in 2018.  The grant also funds the publication and programming associated with the exhibition.  The NEA received 1,728 Art Works applications and will make 1,029 grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.

“The arts reflect the vision, energy, and talent of America’s artists and arts organizations,” said NEA Chairman Jane Chu. “The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support organizations such as the Cummer Museum, in serving their communities by providing excellent and accessible arts experiences.”

Augusta Savage: Artist-Community-Activist, organized by the Cummer Museum, will focus on Augusta Savage’s lasting legacy as a Harlem Renaissance leader, her art, and her influence on her students.  A gifted sculptor, Savage (1892-1962) became an important teacher, leader, and catalyst for change.  Through this exhibition, the Museum seeks to highlight the artistic, social, and historic impact of Savage who, despite her influential career, is largely under-recognized today. Once the exhibition closes at the Museum, it will travel to four other museums.

“For the past decade, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens has passionately championed the legacy of Augusta Savage throughout the state of Florida,” states Cummer Museum Chief Operating Officer & Chief Curator Holly Keris. “Even though her career led her north, Savage was born in relative proximity to our Museum and her passion for sculpture developed in our region.  The Cummer Museum feels this connection deeply, and we are delighted have received this grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Support of this level adds to the credibility of our institution and the legitimacy to this project.”

To join the Twitter conversation about this announcement, please use #NEASpring17.  For more information on projects included in the NEA grant announcement, go to arts.gov

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

Events at the Cummer for the month of April 2019

It’s Springtime, but it still may feel like Autumn (not cold enough to call it Winter, nonetheless, you will be comfortable as the guest in or outside of the Cummer Museum this month.  There is so much going on and you and your family will have a lot to do.  Get your calendar and list the activities that interest you.

Florida Blue Free Tuesday - Each 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 free 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.

The Harlem Renaissance: Lecture & Book Signing with Wil Haygood - Tues., Apr 2 | 6:30 to 8 p.m. | Members $30, Non-Members $40 | Registration required.
Schedule of evening:
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. - Lecture and Q&A
7:30 to 8 p.m. - Book Signing

Weaver First Saturday Free For All - Sat., Apr. 6 | 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.

Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman Closing Celebration - Sat, Apr 6 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Free | No registration required (with the exception of lectures).  Join the museum for a free, family-friendly, closing celebration for Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman with live music, a lecture and book signing with New York Times bestselling Author Vashti Harrison, with an original spoken word performance directed by Yvette Angelique Hyater-Adams. Dr. Jeffreen Hayes, the Curator of Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman, will be at the Museum during the closing celebration for one last look before the exhibition leaves for its next venue.  For further information, please call 904.899.6038.

Little Leaders: Bold Women In Black History - A Lecture And Book Signing With Vashti Harrison - Sat., Apr. 6 | 11 a.m. to Noon OR 2 to 3 p.m. | Free | Registration required.  Vashti Harrison will host a free lecture and book signing for her “New York Times” bestselling children’s book “Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History”.  Based on her popular Instagram posts from Black History Month 2017, the book features 40 biographies of African-American women who helped shape history, including Augusta Savage.  A collection of Harrison’s illustrations from the book are currently on display in the Bank of America Concourse at the Museum.  The lecture will be held in the Hixon Auditorium, followed by the book signing in the Cummer Museum Lobby.  Books are available for purchase from the Cummer Shop.  For further information, please call 904.899.6038.

Bank Of America And Merrill Lynch Museums On Us - Sun., Apr. 7 | 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.

Free Tuesday: Experience The Crime Of Art - Tues., Apr. 9 | 4 to 9 p.m. | Free | No registration required.  Enjoy themed items in the Café and visit the Cummer Shop to find gifts for your favorite partner in crime.
6 p.m. - Take a family-friendly interactive tour of Kota Ezawa: The Crime of Art through fun activities that incorporate close observation and group conversation.  The tour will start at the entrance of the exhibition.
7 p.m. – Our evening guided tour will be on Kota Ezawa: The Crime of Art. The tour will start at the entrance of the exhibition.

Family Tour - Kota Ezawa: The Crime Of Art - Tues., Apr. 9 | 6 p.m. | Free | No registration required.  Since crime does not pay, we are hosting a Night of Crime Evening on our Free Tuesday!  Enjoy themed items in the Café and visit the Cummer Shop to find gifts for your favorite partner in crime.  At 6 p.m., take a family-friendly interactive tour of Kota Ezawa: The Crime of Art through fun activities that incorporate close observation and group conversation. The tour will start at the entrance of the exhibition.

Captivating Caper: A Mystery Dinner Party - Thurs., Apr. 11 | 6 to 9 p.m. | Registration required.
Single Dinner:
VIP | $250
General | Members $150, Non-Members $175
Young Professionals (40 and under) | Members $100, Non-Members $125
Captivating Caper/Soirée Bohème Bundle:
VIP | $450
General | Members $275, Non-Members $325
Young Professionals (40 and under) | Members $185, Non-Members $235

Take a step into a world of intrigue while experiencing Kota Ezawa: The Crime of Art.  Whether you come dressed as a dapper detective or a busy burglar, this festive fête is sure to delight.  There will be thrilling melodies and eats, and a tantalizing case to solve. Hats, monocles, and (non-smoking!) pipes encouraged.  An evening filled with so much fun it’s almost criminal!  For further information or to register, please call 904.899.6038.

Art Fundamentals: Acrylic Painting - Wed., Apr. 17 through May 29 (except May 1) | 1 to 4:30 p.m. | Members $180, Non-Members $210 | Registration required.  Ages 18 and up.  Instructor Allison Watson introduces painting to beginning students and strengthens the skills of intermediate painters. Learn composition for landscape and still life, color theory, and techniques in acrylic.  Participants may sign up for multiple sessions.  Supplies are not included.  For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

Talks & Tea: Permanent Collection - Wed., Apr. 17 | 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 works of art from our permanent collection over a cup of tea and a sweet treat.  For further information or to register, please call 904.899.6038.

Art Adventures: Printmaking - Sat., Apr. 20 | 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Members $10, Non-Members $15 | Registration required.  Ages 6 through 12.  Join the museum on the third Saturday of each month for studio classes.  In this class students will explore the art of printmaking and how it can be utilized to create multiple, identical works of art.  Students will view diverse examples in the galleries and employ printmaking techniques in the studio.  Class size is limited.  For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

Family Open Studio: Spring Has Sprung - Sun., Apr. 21 | 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 cards inspired by spring using a variety of different mediums.  For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

Art For Tots: Spring In The Garden - Sat., Apr. 27 | 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. | Members $10 per pair, Non-Members $15 per pair | Registration required.  Ages 2 & 3 with an adult.  Join the Cummer 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 explore the gardens and look at the different shapes and colors in the natural world. In the studio, children will use nature to create unique pictures.  Entry is through Art Connections.  Class size 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

Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens’ excitement for Jan.2019

It’s the beginning of a New Year and the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens want to invite you and you family to some special events during the month of January.  Why not make plans to do a day, luncheon, or evening as their special guests.  You’ll be wonderfully surprised.

Museum Closed
Mon., Dec 31, 2018 and Tues., Jan 1, 2019

Florida Blue Free Tuesday - Each Tuesday Evening (Except January 1) 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. Each Tuesday evening, the Cummer Café is open for Tapas Tuesday sponsored by VyStar Credit Union.

Tapas Tuesday - Tap into Tapas Tuesday sponsored by VyStar Credit Union at the Cummer Café | Reservations recommended.  Every Tuesday Evening from 5 to 8 p.m. (Except January 1), 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.

Weaver First Saturday Free For All - Sat., Jan. 5 from 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.

Labor Of Love: Augusta Savage’s Blueprint Lecture & Book Signing With Dr. Jeffreen Hayes - Sat., Jan. 5 from 11 a.m. to Noon and 2 to 3 p.m. | Free | Registration required.  Augusta Savage (1892 - 1962) provided a blueprint for the Harlem community members she tirelessly worked with and for, the artists she mentored, and the youth she taught throughout her lifetime.  Guest Curator, Dr. Jeffreen Hayes, will highlight specific creative strategies Savage instituted to navigate the art world that can be used in the contemporary moment to affect change and build community.  Dr. Hayes will also be signing copies of her book, “Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman”, following her lecture.  Books will be available for purchase in the Cummer Shop.  For further information or to register, please call 904.899.6023.

Bank Of America And Merrill Lynch Museums On Us - Sun., Jan. 6 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 further information, please call 904.899.6038.

Art Fundamentals: Acrylic Painting - Wed., Jan. 9 through Feb 13 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. | Members $180, Non-Members $210 | Registration required.  Ages 18 and up.  Instructor Allison Watson introduces painting to beginning students and strengthens the skills of intermediate painters.  Learn composition for landscape and still life, color theory, and techniques in acrylic.  Participants may sign up for multiple sessions. Supplies are not included. For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

Artful Umami: A Japanese Dinner Party - Thurs., Jan. 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. | Registration required by Jan. 4, 2019.  Single Dinner: VIP | $250; General | Members $150, Non-Members $175; Young Professionals (40 and under) | Members $100, Non-Members $125.  Full Series: VIP | $675; General | Members $400, Non-Members $475; Young Professionals (40 and under) | Members $275, Non-Members $350.  Join the museum for a homage to Japanese culture, with an evening filled with beautiful music, colorful performances, umami-packed food, and of course, sake.  Guests are invited to dress in their favorite hue to celebrate the Museum’s Fields of Color: The Art of Japanese Printmaking exhibition.  Get ready to say “Kanpai!” and who knows, everyone might even break into karaoke at the end of the night!

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.  For further information or to register, call 904.899.6023.

Art For Two: Faces Of Favorites - Sat., Jan. 12 from 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 view Mosaic with Mask of Silenus in the permanent collection.  Then they will return to the studio to collage a self-portrait with their favorite things using magazine photos.  Class size is limited.  For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

History Of Western Gardens: The Renaissance Garden - Tues., Jan. 15 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. | Members Free, Non-Members $10 | Registration required.  Explore garden history through this four-part lecture series.  Join Museum staff for a trip through some of the world’s great gardens as they trace the connections between art and gardens.  Space is limited.  For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

Art Adventures: Pop Of Color - Sat., Jan. 19 from 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 observe works from the Museum’s permanent collection and then return to the studio to experiment with dry media to create their own work.  Class size is limited.  For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration - Mon., Jan. 21 from Noon to 6 p.m. | Free | No registration required.  In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy of peace, you are invited to enjoy special open hours and programming at the Cummer Museum.  Enjoy educational art-making activities, live music in the Cummer Café, and an Ecumenical Prayer for Peace with local faith leaders in partnership with OneJax.  In addition, Museum Educators will be making art with participants at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Foundation MLK Day Celebration at the Ritz Theatre and Museum, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Trolley transportation between the Cummer Museum and Ritz Theatre & Museum will be available from noon to 6 p.m.

Art For Tots: The Shape Of Things - Sat., Jan 26 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. | Members $10, Non-Members $15 per pair | Registration required.  Ages 2 & 3 with an adult.  In this class children will visit the special exhibition Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman to look at the sculptures and answer questions like “What did Ms. Savage depict in her sculptures?” and “What shapes make the figures?”  In the studio they will create two sculptures of their own.  Entry is through Art Connections.  Class size is limited.  For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

Cummer Beaches Gala: Swing Into The Night - Sun., Jan. 27 from 6 to 10 p.m. | Members $150, Non-Members $175 | Registration required.  TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse.  Cummer Beaches is hosting its annual Celebrate!  Gala fundraiser at the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse.  The Gala will include: cocktails, dinner, dancing, a pop-up shop from the Cummer Shop, an auction to support the Museum’s mission-based programming, and entertainment by the Jacksonville University Music Department’s Jazz Orchestra.  For further information or to register, please email Brittany Nazario or call 904.899.6007.

History Of Western Art: Rococo, Neoclassicism, And Romanticism - Tues., Jan. 29 from 10:30 a.m. to Noon | Members Free, Non-Members $10 | Registration required.  Explore art history through this monthly series of lectures that includes time in the galleries.  Brush up on your art history for personal enjoyment as Museum staff leads you through the history of Western Art. Space is limited.  For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

Cummer Amelia An Afternoon Of Art: Italian Renaissance In Florence - Thurs., Jan. 31 from 2 to 4 p.m. | Free | No registration required.  Fernandina Beach Branch Library.  This lecture will explore one of the most spectacular flowerings of creativity in the history of art against the background of such titans as Donatello, Ghiberti, Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, and Raphael. Renaissance works from the Museum’s collection such as: the Madonna of Humility with Angels by Agnolo Gaddi, the Portrait of Bartolomeo Compagni, by Pier Francesco Foschi, and The Holy Family by Giorgio Vasari will be examined in the broader context of Florentine art. For further information, please email Brittany Nazario or  call 904.899.6007.

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

MLK Jr. honored at the Cummer Museum

Cummer Museum honors two historians

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens announces that it will hold a special Martin Luther King, Jr. Day event on Monday, January 21, 2019. The event features art engagement and special commemorations from 12 to 6 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, JEA, and the United Way of Northeast Florida.

While at the Cummer Museum, guests can also experience “Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman,” the groundbreaking exhibition featuring the story and works of Augusta Savage, a Green Cove Springs native who became an accomplished sculptor and is widely considered a core figure in the Harlem Renaissance. Savage faced racism, sexism, and discrimination throughout her life, which hampered her commercial pursuits. “Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman” exhibition is the largest ever organized by the Museum and the most comprehensive exhibition highlighting Savage’s unique story.

MLK Jr. Event at the Cummer
DATE: Monday, January 21, 2019
TIME: 12 — 6 p.m.

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

Cummer Museum has exciting events for October 2018

Fall may not be in the air yet, but you’ll find cool activities at the Cummer Museum this month.  Get the family together or your friends and discover an enjoyable day of beauty, education, entertainment and fine refreshments.  Take some time and mark your calendar with the dates below and enjoy October in downtown JAX.

Florida Blue Free Tuesday - Each 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 free admission to the Galleries. Each Tuesday evening, the Cummer Café is open for Tapas Tuesday sponsored by VyStar Credit Union.

Tapas Tuesday - Tap into Tapas Tuesday sponsored by VyStar Credit Union at the Cummer Café.  Reservations recommended!  Every Tuesday from 5 to 8 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.

Artists & World War I: Behind The Lines - Thurs., Oct 4 | 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. | Members Free, Non-Members $10 | Registration required.  World War I was the first truly mechanized global war and it changed everything, including art.  This four-part series examines how artists captured the Great War and the post-war world, creating the path for Modern Art that would send shock waves across the cultural landscape.  Hospitals, staging areas, general headquarters, nearby towns, and even prisoner of war camps were all part of the labyrinth of war behind the lines recorded by artists.  Women were there in large numbers for the first time as nurses, VADS, ambulance drivers, and Red Cross personnel.  There was no behind the lines in France and Belgium, as they fought on their own soil. Artists, such as Australian Iso Rae, recorded life behind the lines in France.  Britain’s William Orpen and Sir Stanley Spence painted the rag-tag, bombed-out civilians, the soldiers, and the medical personnel all sharing the surreal space behind the lines.  Join Museum staff to discover Artists & World War I: The Battlefront including time in the galleries.  Space is limited.  For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

Cummer Beaches Adventures In The Arts: The Actor, The Stage - Thurs., Oct 4 | 2 p.m. | Free | No registration required.  Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library.  Theater director and Julliard Alumni JaMario Stills will present a lecture on playwriting.  JaMario is the Co-Founder of the First Coast Actors Center and the Director of Development at The Performers Academy.  For further information or to register, please email Brittany Nazario at or 904.899.6007.

Cummer Beaches Lecture Series: Rome As A Center For The Arts - Fri., Oct 5 | 5:30 to 7 p.m. | Free | No registration required.  Beaches Museum & History Park Chapel.  This presentation will focus on the Eternal City as a source of opportunity and patronage for artists such Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini, and countless others.  The central role of Rome as an artistic and training hub was sustained by the presence of wealthy merchants, bankers, ecclesiastic figures and, of course, the Church.  Artists from all corners of Europe, and later the United States, from the 15th century forward, flocked to the Italian city.  Works from the Museum’s collection offer many examples, including paintings by Claude Lorrain and Charles-Joseph Natoire. For further information, please email Brittany Nazario at or 904.899.6007.

Weaver First Saturday Free for All - Sat., Oct. 6 from 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.

Envirofest - Sat., Oct. 6 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Free | No registration required.  Join the museum as they seek ways to cultivate curiosity, respect, and understanding of the 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, governmental and private, give of their time and offer interactive activities to visitors.  For further information, please call 904.899.6023.

Bank Of America And Merrill Lynch Museums On Us - Sun., Oct. 7 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 further information, please call 904.899.6038.

Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman Pdl Opening - Wed., Oct. 10 | 6 to 8 p.m. | Free for Ponce de León Donors only | RSVP required.  Doors open at 5:45 p.m.  Please join the museum for a reception with live music from “Mama Blue”, artist demonstration by “Erin Kendrick”, cocktails, small bites, and remarks from Acting Directory Holly Keris and Guest Curator Jeffreen M. Hayes, Ph.D.  This exclusive event is for Ponce de León Society Donors only and their guests. For further information or to register, please call 904.899.6023.  If you are a Member or Non-Member of the Cummer Museum, please register for the Member and Community Opening Party on Thurs., Oct. 11th.

Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman Member Preview - Thurs., Oct. 11 | Noon to 4 p.m. | Free for Members Only | No registration required.  Museum members are invited to view the exhibition before it opens to the public, with docent-led tours at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. and a 20% discount in the Shop and Café. Reservations for the Café are recommended, so please call 904.899.6022 to reserve your table.

Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman Member & Community Opening Party - Thurs., Oct. 11 | 6 to 8 p.m. | Members Free, Non-Members $10 | Registration required.  Doors open at 5:45 p.m.  Join the Museum for a sneak peak of Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman. The evening will include live music from Mama Blue, artist demonstration by Erin Kendrick, small bites, beer, wine, and exciting new merchandise in the Shop. Remarks at 6:15 p.m. Tour at 6:30 p.m. with Guest Curator Jeffreen M. Hayes, Ph.D. For further information or to register, please call 904.899.6023.

Art For Two: Social Ceramics! - Sat., Oct. 13 | 10:30 a.m. to Noon | Members $15 per pair, Non-Members $20 per pair | Registration required.  Ages 3 through 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 visit Museum’s collection of Early Meissen Porcelain for inspiration.  Then they will create a ceramic artwork embellished with carved designs using colors to represent their own world. Clay pieces will be fired at the Museum and available for pick-up one week after class.  Class size is limited.  For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

Talks & Tea: The Renaissance In Florence - Wed., Oct. 17 | 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 the Renaissance in Florence led by Museum staff over a cup of tea and a sweet treat.  For further information or to register, please call 904.899.6023.

Art For Tots: Mythical Beasts! - Thurs., Oct. 18 and Sat, Oct 20 | 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. | $10 per pair | Registration required.  Ages 24 through 36 months with an adult.  This class will look at ancient Green pottery in the Schultz Gallery and will discuss the designs and mythical creatures depicted.  In the studio children will reimagine their own creatures.  Art for Tots is funded through the generosity of the Chartrand Family Foundation.  Entry is through Art Connections. Class size is limited.  For further information, please email or call 904.355.0630.

Cummer Amelia – An Evening In The Arts: Augusta Savage And The 2018/2019 Calendar - Thurs., Oct. 18 | 5 to 7 p.m. | Members Free, Non-Members $15 | Registration required.  Osprey Village, Amelia Island.  Acting Director Holly Keris will unveil the 2018/2019 exhibition calendar and discuss current happenings at the Museum.  For further information or to register, please email Brittany Nazario or call 904.899.6007.

Art Adventures: Collage! - Sat., Oct. 20 | 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Members $10, Non-Members $15 | Registration required.  Ages 6 through 12.  Join the museum on the third Saturday of each month for studio classes.  In this class students will spend time viewing works of still-life from the Museum’s permanent collection and learning about their place in art history.  In the studio, students will cut, tear, and glue paper together to make their own still-life images.  Projects will be completed within one class period.  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. 23 | 10:30 a.m. to Noon | Members Free, Non-Members $10 | Registration required.  Explore art history through this monthly series of lectures that includes time in the galleries.  Brush up on your art history for personal enjoyment as Museum staff leads you through the history of Western Art.  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