WaterSpirit Rises, Part IV Hemming Park exploded on a Saturday in early May with colorful art and cultural activities sponsored by . Events sparked creativity and participation by children and adults during a free day of fun with some of the best of the city’s cultural organizations. People of all ages came by car, bus, bicycle, skyway, river taxi and on foot. A jam-packed day of exciting events were mirrored at , where the  at  took place and around the bend of the river even more events and activities at . A key live performance and participatory event featured a …

 has worked hard these past years. Ever since imagination #2, he has diligently been a mentor to many young artists, a gatekeeper for dozens of artists at in Historic Riverside, and a working sculptor. His number 1 with an asterisk debuted at the inaugural One Spark event. He has continued to be a voice in the region regarding art and culture, and he has developed a studio worth salivating over at CoRK that’s a true sculptor’s paradise— and the door is locked, so he can work. When asked what he thinks about the impact of the recent J. Johnson Gallery …

Hemming Park is exploding with art all over the park on Saturday, May 2, sponsored by . From 10 am to 3 pm, children and adults are invited to a free day of fun with the best of the city’s cultural organizations offering live performances, participatory events and even a water spirit emerging thanks to artist . Come along any way you wish – by bicycle, skyway, river taxi or walk the bridges. Just be there for a jammed pack day of exciting events over at , too, where the  at  or around the bend at  for more food, fun …

, a juried plein air painting event, features over 30 of the region’s finest landscape artists. Each participating artist will set up an easel to capture the natural essence of the . From Thursday, April 16 through Saturday, April 18, artists will paint their favorite scenes from locations throughout the 120-acre site. Visitors can stroll along the trails to watch and interact with the working artists. There will be artist demonstrations, guided nature walks by Arboretum volunteers, delicious food, live music and art activities for children. All works of art will be for sale at this free event and at …

The is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Located at 9953 Hecksher Drive on the North side of the St. Johns River, near the entrance to , the House is the former summer residence of Florida governor Napoleon B. Broward (1857-1910). Now part of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, the house is home to the  (TTPF). They have a great map you can download at http://timucuantrailparksfoundation.org/Parks/explore-the-parks.html. Keep it in your car during the spring and summer, so you can visit the many parks under its nonprofit helm. Parks include Alimacani, Betz Tiger Point Preserve, Big Talbot …

Originally built in 1798 by enslaved craftsmen under plantation owner , this plantation house is the oldest planter’s residence still standing in Florida. Many changes have taken place through the years, but a tour still evokes what it must have been like long ago. In the early 1800s, plantation-owner brought a Senegalese wife he purchased, Anna Madgigine Jai, and three children to his Fort George Island plantation. A fourth child was soon born. Anna managed the plantation’s daily operations, including 60 slaves, while Zephaniah was away on business. They grew many cash crops: Sea Island cotton, whose long fibers and …