Urban Jacksonville

 

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, I find it more than appropriate to share a local act of kindness with you.  Many remember the fire suffered by Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church just two months ago, in which the church lost its sanctuary and various other areas.  This was devastating for obvious reasons to church members, but devastating on another level for community members as well.

I work for Angelwood, Inc., a non-profit organization serving the needs of children and adults with developmental disabilities.  Every summer, Angelwood holds a day camp for 5 to 23-year-olds with disabilities so that these individuals can experience summer camp just like their brothers and sisters who attend regular camps.  For the last five years, Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church has donated their facilities free of charge to Angelwood, serving as the location for our camp.  Thirty campers a week for five weeks definitely causes a strain on all parties involved, but the church has been welcoming each year.

Because of the recent fire and state budget cuts, Angelwood was unsure of how camp would go this year.  At a meeting last weekend at the church, the Hendricks Avenue pastor told the executive director of Angelwood of the commitment of the church to the mission of serving the disabled population.  He invited Angelwood back this summer, amidst the rebuilding of the church.  I was so blown away by this church’s commitment to the community.  I was sure the church would have too much on their plate to deal with Angelwood this year, but they are looking forward to camp.  What an awesome picture of humility and service!

Happy early Valentine’s Day to you.  I hope it is filled with love and kindness.

 

Joey has been out of his mind sick this week so things around Urban Jax have been on the slow side.  Forgive us.  Then love us for telling you everything we can think of to do in Jacksonville this weekend.  Here’s what I’ve found, feel free to add-to via comment.

 

First up, and most exciting, is the Vestal Art Show at Ocean Club.  Some of you may remember the huge art show at TSI in December.  This is the same one, only more artists (90) and more bands.  And yes, I know it’s at the beach and I’m supposed to tell you about what’s going on downtown, but I can relate it by saying that a lot of people who live and create downtown will be exhibiting/performing tonight.  I’m going.  You should, too.

If you want to skip the beach, try TSI for Pony Pants and a dance party.  I’m sad I can’t make it to this show, but if you’re in the area you should check it out!  DJ Roy will be following it up with some music designed to move your behind.

Visit the MOCA on Saturday!  During Art Walk, I had the chance to check out the Contemporary Visions exhibit, which is an assortment of modern and contemporary art from a variety of First-Coast collectors who have loaned the pieces to the museum.  I was blown away.  Jacksonville people own some amazing artwork, including three Warhols (one of which is my favorite of his, a Pop Art of Mao) a Lichtenstein, Dali, Haring, Johns (as featured above), etc.  You have to see it!  Also on exhibit is Ramen Noodles 2008 (an installation) and Continental Shifts: The Art of Edouard Duval-Carrie.  The MOCA is completely impressive right now.

The weather is going to be great this weekend, from what I’ve been told.  Get outside and enjoy it!  And don’t forget Valentine’s Day is Wednesday, so guys, get to shopping.  Or writing that heart-felt poem.

Here’s a late entry from the sick-o himself

 

Obviously, today’s the first Wednesday of February, which means Art Walk is tonight, rain or shine; though, I have a feeling it’s going to be shine.  The weather is perfect for walking around and looking at great art.  Come out and enjoy the festivities.

 

Burrito Gallery – Photography, paintings and multimedia by Heather Blanton

London Bridge – Old-fashioned block party at Ocean and Adams, live music and artwork on display

Mark’s – Works of Jennifer Woodall

OPAQ at TSI – “nextTHINGSnext,” a collaborative effort inspired by the unique challenges facing Jacksonville artists

Shelby’s Coffee Shop – Abstract work of Justin Donovan Hill

122 Ocean: The Library – The culture of India with dance performances at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., also the Open Gallery artists work

For a complete list of this evening’s happenings, visit downtownjacksonville.org.  See you all out!

 

First things first, First Fridays in Five Points is tonight!  I haven’t heard about any major artwork being displayed or a movie being shown, but as usual, the stores will be open late.  Plus, you can get some delicious food at one of the many restaurants in the area.  Outside seating is delightful.

 

Heads up for a new store coming to Riverside.  Nest Living is a design studio opening in 5 Points in March that will stock furniture, bedding, lighting, wallpaper, ceramics, media players, etc.  The picture above shows the type of furniture the store will sell.  Some of the furniture will be on display tonight at First Fridays.  Check it out while you’re making your way around town.

 

Saturday is the More Than Wallpaper show at Bogda.  The poster really says it all, but it’s from 8-11 p.m. at 1253 McDuff Ave. S.  Maybe Jacksonville’s called-upon ‘art critic’ will make an appearance.  We’ll see.

Lastly, if you don’t have a hot lunch date Saturday, you should probably head over to the Springfield Community Garden (located on Main Street between 1st and 2nd) for clean up day.  Bring gloves, water, snacks, trash bags and/or hand tools.   Hey, bring your date, too!  It starts at noon.

 See you guys out and about.

In case you’ve been living under a rock or haven’t been checking Urban Jacksonville’s sponsor area, THE TALKIES at San Marco Theatre is screening Night of the Living Dead in 35 mm this weekend.  In addition, and most importantly, director George Romero will be providing live commentary throughout the screening on February 2, 2008.

My opinion of a good zombie walk is to loll your head as if it’s a little too heavy and the muscles have begun to atrophy – Romero has been quoted as saying.

 
Romero is an American director, writer, editor and actor.  After graduating from Carnegie-Melon University, he and friends formed Image Ten Productions in the late 1960′s.  They chipped in roughly $10,000 apiece to produce Night of the Living Dead, one of the most celebrated American horror films of all time.

 

Look at that face and tell me you wouldn’t want to hang with him for a night!  Night of the Living Dead is playing February 1st at 11:55 p.m. and February 2nd at 9:30 p.m.  Visit www.thetalkies.net for ticket information.  A big thanks to THE TALKIES for always brangin’ it with awesome films and directors.  This gets me so excited for the Jacksonville Film Festival!

 

I don’t know how I hadn’t heard of this until Tuesday, but Steve Forster shared with me this gem of information.  Peter Max will be at R. Roberts gallery this weekend with an exhibit.  According to the gallery Web site, more than 800 people have already called to R.S.V.P., which is impressive considering I haven’t seen any advertisement for it.

Peter Max’s art work was a part of the psychedelic movement in graphic design.  He evolved from a pop artist in the 1960′s to a neo-expressionist.  Max has painted for five former U.S. presidents, the most recent being Bill Clinton.

 

Max is designated the official artist for the Gammy’s, the 25th Anniversary of the New Orleans Jazz Festival and the Woodstock Festival.  Most notably (in my opinion), Max did the artwork for the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine.

You can check out the collection at R. Roberts right now.  The gallery has been open this week showcasing more than 200 of Max’s original paintings; however, the real show happens Saturday and Sunday.  Check it out.  This is an impressive exhibit.

For Christmas I received a book titled “The Warhol Economy” from a friend who knew how dear I would find it. It is an argument for art, music and fashion being essential to urban development.

I couldn’t have received the book at a more appropriate time. With a new year upon us, a new Urban Jax layout and an unspoken call for Jacksonville artists and musicians to create, this book ascertains a feeling I’ve had for some time: Jacksonville won’t reach its potential as the ‘Bold New City of the South’ until it takes advantage of the creative culture available.

Not long ago, a comment was posted that doubted UJ’s commitment to providing the public with urban development news, claiming the blog had essentially turned into an “art and music/what’s happening” Web site. While the site has become an outlet to showcase local artists and musicians, as well as the venues that house them, it has done so in an effort to draw a correlation between economic growth and cultural involvement. To say that the role of art and culture is an insignificant part of urban, regional or national economy is to take it as more fun and less business.

The best case for the influence of art and culture on economy is New York City. For a long time it was seen as a center of finance and investment. The city’s economy evolved from industrial production to the FIRE industries (finance, insurance and real estate.) Yet, for the better part of the twentieth century, New York City has been considered the world’s authority on art and culture.

New York City in the 1910′s was a writer’s city because in the 1850′s the city had established itself as a leading center of publishing. Then, from the 1940′s to the 1970′s, New York City dominated the story of art. In the 1950′s abstract expressionism exploded onto the scene and an important point to note is that the art community both survived and flourished because of the formal and informal structures available to them within the city – structures that proved pivotal in cementing New York as a global center of art and culture. New York became home to the bohemian scene, beat writers, new wave and folk music, hip-hop dj’s and fashion designers.

Jacksonville already has the structures and the means necessary to develop and sustain an emerging cultural scene, but more important is developing the attitude toward art and culture needed to make it successful. Dozens of cafes, galleries and nightclubs scattered throughout downtown Jacksonville and its surrounding areas welcome artists and provide a haven for developing and displaying local talent.

According to Nobel Prize winning economist Robert Lucas, “Great cities draw people despite all of the drawbacks of living in a densely packed, noisy, expansive metropolis, because of human beings’ desire to be around each other. It is the inherent social nature of people – and of creativity – that makes city life so important to art and culture – and art and culture so important to city life.”

Why should Jacksonville’s creativity, culture and marketplace be separate entities? They can’t be. Director Tony Silver best explains this idea, “There are many types of commodification. Is it a commodity? Is it art? Is it from the streets? What is it? You can’t untangle this stuff – you can’t escape it. It is a very complex subject. Hip-hop is both a commercial juggernaut but also a chance for kids all over the world to invent their own form. Both things can coexist.”

My argument is simply this: do not discard the cultural activities taking place in Jacksonville right now. They are what will move the city along economically and draw people to an area where they can create and coexist together. The fusion of creativity is ubiquitous and increasingly generates value across social and economic realms.

As Ingrid Sischy remarked of New York City, “We’re always being told, ‘Oh, you can’t live here’ [but] you always couldn’t live here [when I first came to New York.] I lived in half a room. I know we’re being told it’s being run by money and power, but go to a gallery opening run by two 21-year-olds and feel the vibrancy.”