Urban Jacksonville

I’m happy to see people getting tickets for parking in the bike lanes along Hendricks Avenue. Just another example of how people in this city don’t respect bikes, or even think about them.

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.

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!

Tags: george romero, night of the living dead, the talkies

Text by Brittni Wood

Last night I braved the cold (but incredible) weather and headed down to Art Walk. I am not sure if I got down there a little late or what, but it was practically dead on the streets. Of course Burrito Gallery was packed, but other than that I really didn’t see as many people as I had expected.

Maybe that was because there didn’t seem to be too much happening at this art walk, aside from Process Organic at Opaq, which by the way was quite a treat, as usual. The space was completely transformed. Every wall had been painted and a separate “room” was created within the space that housed a mini-landscape of plants.

For more photos from Process Organic, click here.

After eating dinner, I walked across the street to the old library to see what was going on there, and I stumbled across something that I became fascinated with…BOX CITY! It was a fairly elaborate replica of Jacksonville made of mostly boxes and construction paper, that spanned at least twenty feet.

Unfortunately, I have little to no background info on this project because the only information around the area was about the sponsors for the project. So, if anyone can fill me in on the specifics that would be great.

For more photos of Box City, click here.

The art stuff doesn’t end there…tomorrow night is FLOOD, a juried exhibition at Pedestrian Projects from 7pm-close. This show will feature the work of Alex Diaz, Jenny Henley, Jeff Rich, Christie Holecheck, Gabriel Wells, and more. There will be free beer and wine too.

Then, of course, there is the Winter Selections show at J. Johnson, which officially (according to the postcard) opens on the 10th, but will have an opening reception on Friday, November 9th from 6-8pm. The show will feature work by Basquiat, Carlos Betancourt, Ingrid Calame, Francesco Clemente, Chuck Close, Walton Ford, Zac Freeman, Jacob Hashimoto, Candida Hofer, Tonya Lee, Pepe Mar, Ryan McGinness, James Rosenquist, Thomas Ruff, Slomotion, Robert Yasuda.

Text by Brittni Wood

As I mentioned in a previous post, there are some great art shows happening this weekend, starting tonight. Here’s what I know of so far. If you have any others to list, don’t hesitate to leave a comment about it. I will be taking photos at as many events as you can shake a stick at and will post them here early next week, so check back for that.

Here we go…

First up have Contemporary Capitol at Pedestrian Projects, which starts at 7pm. The exhibit will feature new contemporary art made by artists living in Tallahassee, Florida’s capital city. Curated by Sarah Rae Wagoner the show, is conceived as an emissary exhibition in community spirit through contemporary art on a regional scale. Artists include Terri Lindbloom, Mark Messersmith, Dorian Chen, Cindy Miller, Linda Hall, and more.

Then we Tonya Lee’s show at Violet tonight from 6-9pm. Also at Violet that night, view handmade jewelry from April Aultman and new products by Jill Bliss !

Screen Arts will host a show an opening at Casa Monica Hotel tonight in the main ballroom from 5-9pm. Here’s the info: “Keep a Breast Foundation, the Burlesque Hall of Fame and the Gallery@Screen Arts bring you ‘Breast Defense’ an exhibition of painted plaster casts of renowned burlesque dancers cast at this years Miss Exotic World Pageant in Las Vegas and painted by renowned artists such as Derek Hess, Gary Baseman, Mark Mothersbaugh, Iggy Pop, Joe Coleman, Liz McGrath, etc.”

UPDATED: Molly Riefler’s show is tonight at Anomaly from 6-9pm. The show is entitled Fashion Isn’t Dead.

Last but not least, The Art Institute of Jacksonville will have an opening reception for “Night Moves” tonight from 6-9pm. Artists in the show include Bobby Davidson, Toni Bova, Deborah Brown, Kendrick Kidd, Levi Ratliff, and more. Sorry, no flyer for this one.

Also on Saturday night, the LABOR group will have an opening reception at Bogda from 8-11pm. This show will feature artists Byron King, Jason Wright, Kelly Eason, Amie Murray, Roman Bradley, and more.

That’s it for me. Hope to see you at some of these events over the weekend.

Text by Brittni Wood 

From now until Saturday evening, there will be no shortage of art related events. So far, I have counted seven that shouldn’t be missed. More on that later. For now, let’s just cover Art Walk.

“One Night Only” Bogda at Opaq Gallery from 5-9pm: Make sure you stop by OPAQ Wednesday, October 3rd (ArtWalk) to see some of Bogda’s favorite artists. Artists include: Amie Murray, Byron King, Jason Wright, Kelly Eason, Megan Cosby, Jason Leader, and Rachel Rosheck.

Then head over to MOCA for a silk-screen demonstration on the fifth floor by James Greene at 6pm. Then at 7pm, also at MOCA, there will be a very special advanced screening of Art21’s newest season. According to MOCA’s website, “The series provides behind the scenes views of the artists in their studios, homes and communities. The artists speak directly to the audience, in their own words, about how, why, and what they create.”

Photos and text provided by Brittni Wood

For more photos from this weekend’s shows, click here.

It was a busy weekend for art in Jacksonville. The crowds were out in full force. Whether it was to check out the work, socialize, or drink for free is still up in the air. Whatever the reason, it was a positive sign for the growing scene here.

If you weren’t able to make it out, you still have time to check out the shows. The Portent, I said Portent show at Pedestrian Projects will be up until the end of September; and the Bogda group show will run until the end of September as well.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to make it to the Art House show on Friday, but if anyone has any comments or photos, feel free to post in the comment section.

Photos from Portent, I said Portent:

Bogda Group Show:

For more photos from this weekend’s shows, click here.