Urban Jacksonville

SEE SAW SPACE, one of the first pop-up galleries I wrote about on Urban Jacksonville

This morning on Urban Jacksonville Weekly (9:30am) we’ll talk to Kyle Lemstrom about SUPER WONDERFUL a new gallery opening in San Marco this month.

It’s the latest in a string of art galleries popping up in empty commercial spaces around the city. Along with Nullspace Gallery and 229 Hogan (and many more I won’t mention here) SUPER WONDERFUL begs the question are temporary art spaces good for art in Jacksonville?

A recent Washington Post article had this to say:

Brilliant marketing for developers. But bad PR for art? One-offs forge dicey synaptic connections in the public mind: They reinforce the “art as decor” paradigm, divorcing artists from their highest calling — creating work that challenges social and political norms. On art event nights, artists become another kind of interior decorator.

Why Pop-Up Art Galleries Are Good for Jacksonville

Please be sure to add your own reasons why they are good or bad

1. It creates an additional cultural event, i.e. an excuse to go out and have fun
2. Gallery shows outside the gallery are much more fun and tend to be more creative with space and subject material
3. Another opportunity for artists to sell more work, gain recognition and once again, sell more work, gain recognition…
4. Provides good marketing and PR for the property itself and for the company offering the property
5. Provides experience for gallery operators. Throwing a show in a non-gallery setting is much more challenging

Forging dicey synaptic connections in the public mind”? C’mon! This may be the case in D.C. which surely has a much more developed art community, but in Jacksonville it’s a welcome sight. The Pinkline Project points out

Since the days of the Salon des Refusés in the early 1800s when artists who weren’t selected for the official Paris Salon organized their own exhibit to show their work, artists have been finding ways to show their work somehow some way.

Back to SUPER WONDERFUL, it has the potential to be the second coming of SEE SAW SPACE, one of the first pop-up galleries I blogged about on Urban Jacksonville. The artists in the first SUPER WONDERFUL show (Friday, February 12th) are certainly representative of a few SEE SAW alumni: Tonya Lee, Jen Morgan, Dustin Harewood, Matt Allison, Clay Doran, Barrett Fiser and Kyle Lemstrom.

I don’t have all the details of the first SUPER WONDERFUL like time and location. I’m sure that information will be revealed in the podcast and I’ll post it here or as soon as I find out.

I want to plug another pop-up gallery event this Friday at Underbelly in 5 Points. For February’s 1st Friday, Jim Draper will be having a gallery show called Undraped. DJ Nick Fresh will be DJing from 6-9 followed by me from 9-close in the backyard treehouse. If you haven’t been to Underbelly yet, please come hangout.

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Springfield’s monthly first Friday is happening this friday on the 1500 Block of North Laura St (between 5th and 6th). It’s and 80s themed party and I think there will be some people dressing for the occasion. You should too!

The Theme is 80′s block party, so please feel free to dress up in your fav 80s garb. If you just want to listen to some great music, and hang out in the coolest hood in Jax then please bring your bad self.

• This is a BYOB event and there will be ice.
• There will also be a grill available if you want to cook.
• This party is open to everyone!!

Springfield favorite Biggie Tea will be spinning the best of the 80s. I’ll be there too and throw down some Chaka Khan and Bananarama. Street closes at 7pm to set up the DJ booth and will reopen at 11pm, but the party don’t stop. It moves to Shantytown for the after party!

A big happy blog birthday for our neighbor blog JaxScene. One year in Springfield and still going strong!

Art in Action at the Old Library Basement was fun last night. It also re-affirmed my opinion that it is the best new Art Walk venue. I took some pictures with my phone that turned out pretty well and you can check those below. I’m sure JaxScene will have some good photos and I’ll link to those when they come online.

New limited prints from Armageddon Visuals:

This print is very limited edition to only 12. It’s a signed and numbered 3 color screen print. 19″x25″. Due to the short run and the custom ink job this print might come out again in the future in a different color way. $25 with shipping.

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Logan Zawacki has opinions on the Jacksonville Art Scene. This is the first in a series of interviews from new blog Zeller.Press

I feel like the art scene is exploding with talent and so much of it is going unnoticed and unappreciated. As for local jax blogs the only one I check frequently is TheOuterBox.com. I find it’s the only local art blog that is truly focused on helping local artists.

The Riverside Arts Market is set to launch Saturday, April 4.
Riverside group marketing an idea for Saturdays
JTA is installing cameras on the Skyway
Why you should know bike laws (Bike Jax)
Peyton exerts pressure in backdoor Waste Management deal (Jacksonville Politics)

New Organic Shirts from Arturo Clothing. Organic t-shirts are environmentally safe and manufactured under strict conditions, resulting in a pesticide, herbicide, and chemical-free product. Thanks for the buttons Arturo!

Now that Art Walk is over there are three more events you need to concern yourself with this week.

1. First Friday in Five Points
2. The Comic Book Show at Bogda
3. Relondondo (Tallahassee) and Buff Clout at Shantytown

Finally I posted Episode 3 of Urban Jacksonville Weekly. Besides this week’s topics you learn the story behind the Origin of Tony’s nickname, Biggie Tea.

Urban Jacksonville Weekly Topics

1. Morris Publishing hires legal, financial counsel and gets extension
2. Jazz Festival Moves to Laura Street
3. Golds Gym Moves Downtown

Saturday, 6/7/08
8-11 PM
1253 McDuff Ave. So.
Jacksonville, FL

This show will feature Urbismus and Tommy Armageddon
Bogda Gallery. The Urbismus blog had this to say about the show

We have been approached by Bogda Gallery to show the URBISMUS art. While very flattering, we recognize the dilemma this presents. We are of the opinion that street art is just that: street art. However, by exhibiting this month, we hope to continue the project in any form it might take.

Urbismus

Check out Interview with new Jacksonville street art crew: Urbismus

Tommy Armageddon

Also don’t forget First Friday’s in Five Points today. Big birthday bash at Anomaly. DJ. Drinks. Word.

Last Month’s First Friday event in Five Points had blowout attendance. Here’s what’s in store for the May edition of this free community event.

• Delicious vegan bake sale. Cupcakes, cookies and more!
• First Fridays for the dogs at Violet. Bring an old leash/collar/etc… (to be donated to a local rescue) and get a discount on any pet purchase.
• DJ ROY will be getting the dance party going at Anomaly! For those of age, wine and beer is on the house
• New spring fashions at Edge City, Violet, Anomaly and Wolfgang!
• Great art throughout the street provided by Bogda
• Check out 5 points’ newest shop, Nest Living, for your modern home!
• Free wine tasting at Riverside Liquor.
• Live glass blowing at Bead Here Now
• Check out the 20+ specialty beers on tap at Raglands!

It’s THIS FRIDAY, May 2nd from 6-9 (or later!)

First Friday on Facebook

Head to 5 Points tonight and support local retail, music and art. Also check out Jaxscene’s events for Friday March 7th

Events and Promotions for tonight’s First Friday in 5 Points

• Live Music
• Come learn an art technique from Brittni Wood at VIOLET!
• Check out a FREE wine tasting at RIVERSIDE LIQUORS!
• SALE! Take 25% off all merchandise at NICOTINE!
• Don’t miss ‘Wee Forest Folk’ at ONE OF EACH GIFTS!
• Art throughout the street provided by BOGDA GALLERY!
• New spring styles are arriving at EDGE CITY!
• ALOHA PARADISE is offering flip flop specials all night!
• Get crafty at ANOMALY with a 5 minute craft and free libations.
• Grab a beer at RAGLANDS with over 20+ beers on tap!
• Take a bead class at BEAD HERE NOW!

While you’re down there check out the progress of Nest Living, a design studio opening in 5 Points that will stock furniture, bedding, lighting, wallpaper, ceramics, media players, etc.