THE WALLS

Guest artists will begin to invade Jacksonville November 1 and 2, and begin to execute their mural designs in real-time. Walls featuring the Downtown Art District murals will include:

[box type=”shadow” align=”” class=”” width=””]245 Water Street, Enterprise Parking Garage, by artist James Reka, Australia
233 East Forsyth Street, by artist INO, Athens, Greece
25 Forsyth Street,by artist Case MacClaim, Germany
327 West Forsyth Street, by artist Waone Interesni Kazki, Ukraine
520 North Hogan Street, by artist Guido Van Helten, Los Angeles
140 Monroe Street, by artist Phlegm, UK
102 A. Philip Randolph Blvd, by artist Astro Graff, Paris
102 A. Philip Randolph Blvd., Jason Woodside, New York
220 Riverside Ave. (Unity Plaza Shipping Container), Mobarick, Jacksonville
325 West Forsyth Street, by artist Kenor, Spain
231 North Laura Street, by artist Rene Romero Schuler, Chicago, Illinois
100 East Adams Street, by artist Nico Holderbaum, Jacksonville[/box]

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Concierges will ensure a welcoming experience for all participating artists, including a Private Artist Lounge, city excursions to introduce each of them to Jacksonville, and a slew of events:
[box type=”shadow” align=”” class=”” width=””]

Thurs, NOVEMBER 10

6:30pm Pre-Launch VIP Cocktail Party & Mural Trolley Tour @ DeLO Studio

Fri, NOVEMBER 11

Anytime Self-guided Mural Tours (maps @ ArtRepublicJax.org)
11-5pm Collectors Lounge @ Wall Street Fine Art
Private Event for VIP sponsors, collectors, artists, invited guests
7pm-8:30pm Official Launch Cocktail Hour

8:30pm-10pm Interactive Fashion Show @ The Carling (ticketed)
Sponsored by Estee Lauder and George Gregory Fine Jewelry Designed by Luxuryia
10pm After Party @ Myth Night Club (VIP tables for artists)

Sat, NOVEMBER 12

Anytime Self-guided Mural Tours (maps @ ArtRepublicJax.org)
Kids’ Mural Festival @ Hemming Park
Food trucks, music, live painting, “Paint Battles”
11-5pm Collector’s Lounge at Wall Street Fine Art (sponsors, collectors, artists invited guests enjoy DJs, drinks, light appetizers)

1-4pm Lecture Series at MOCA Jacksonville
By nationally recognized fine artists, fashion curators and more

7pm The Pilot Seasonally Curated Dinner Experience (ticketed)
Presented by Pilot Pen @ Doro Fixtures Warehouse, Live performances, Capturing the very live first moment of inspiration
10pm After Party @ Myth Night Club

Sun, NOVEMBER 13

Anytime Self-guided Mural Tours (maps @ ArtRepublicJax.org)[/box]

DOWNTOWN ART DISTRICT

From Jacksonville’s genesis as an early 20th century cultural destination for film and music, there is a move afoot to enhance and designate the Downtown Urban Core as a nationally recognized Art District by visionary Jessica Santiago, founder of the non-profit organization Art(Re)Public and owner of and consultant-curator for Wall Street Fine Art (207 N. Laura Street). Under the guidance of philanthropist and art patron Preston Haskell, the event’s title sponsor, the Downtown Art District (or DAD) will explode onto the art and culture scene in Jacksonville with a laser focus to further position Downtown as the center a multi-day arts expo on November 11-13. With sponsors such as The Haskell Company, Pilot Pens, and Estee Lauder curated world-renowned, national, and regional mural artists will be changing the visual landscape of the Urban Core. This will be a big impact for the community and future investors in Jacksonville’s renaissance of new breweries, new restaurants, and a renewed spirit of success for the future.

Through the promotion of artistic expression and artists coming together with a critical mass of emerging artists, world-class performers, and cultural creatives, Art(Re)Public intends to “disrupt the status quo, and catalyze economic growth in Jacksonville’s urban core,” states Jessica Santiago.

Santiago has the passion and purpose to redesign the way we think of monolithic huge murals on a variety of blank walls in the Urban Core hoping to result in new conversations about how art can change lives and influence people to live, work, and play in Downtown Jacksonville. Together with a dedicated support team and a significant group of sponsors, Art(Re)Public will unleash a three-day mural and art expo right here in Jacksonville.

“Art(Re)Public provides a unique opportunity to focus simultaneously upon two of our city’s most important values: downtown development and arts and culture.” – Preston Haskell

“Art(Re)Public provides a unique opportunity to focus simultaneously upon two of our city’s most important values: downtown development and arts and culture,” states Preston Haskell. “Acclaimed mural artists will vibrantly and colorfully paint the blank facades of several downtown buildings, resulting in a focus upon and appreciation of art in our downtown for years to come. And Art(Re)Public’s November weekend of tours, social and dining events, artist talks, and lectures will give art lovers and downtown advocates opportunities to interact, to learn, and to share ideas, further advancing both arts and downtown.”

Paint a picture of Jacksonville in five years

Santiago asks the community to “paint a picture of Jacksonville in five years.” Her mantra has been heard, and international, national, and local sponsors were challenged. Subsequently, they committed to her vision. In fact, some sponsors have signed up for multiple years in order to sustain the event’s future. The murals will be HUGE by Jacksonville standards. The resulting eye candy promises to please the viewer and transform Jacksonville’s rightful spot on the cultural map throughout the United States and abroad. Check out www.ArtRePublicJax.org.

Volunteer opportunities are available and welcome. This group will ensure out-of-town artists, sponsors and special guests are hosted and provided a positive Jacksonville experience and introduced to regional arts and cultural venues.

The festival is slated to be a street art phenomenon, similar to Wynwood Walls, Miami’s famous warehouse district and major component of Miami’s internationally recognized Art Basel, which attracts international developers, investors, entrepreneurs, and commercial and residential investors who do business there, not just visit. The collective goal is to open news eyes to the possibilities in the future of Downtown Jacksonville.

The synergy of the unveiling of the Downtown Art District will be a catalyst generating a laser focus on erupting and flowing downtown development to be sustained by high-caliber retail and residential communities in the near future. Mirroring a collective vision, Art(Re)Public will burst onto the art scene showcasing its mural artists in support of this new nonprofit. The Mural and Art Expo is specifically designed to be a catalyst for a renewed spirit to increase business development and economic growth in Jacksonville’s urban core.

“We have a tremendous population of talented artists representing a diverse cross section of mediums, in addition to a community of art lovers who consistently help support and promote the industry. This event will certainly build on the momentum the industry already has in downtown Jacksonville, strengthening our city’s reputation as a destination for arts and culture.” – Mayor Lenny Curry

Monumental murals, street performances and a series of lectures and live events will create conversation among and between Jacksonville’s art and cultural communities. The result will strengthen Jacksonville’s brand. It will further spark the collective spirit of artist creation and the inspiration proving Jacksonville to be a world-class destination for arts and culture. “Today, there is now widespread support in the business and arts community for Downtown’s revitalization. These communities recognize downtown provides unique public access to the St. Johns River, the opportunity to preserve beautiful historic buildings and to create a successful, walkable and energetic ecosystem,” says Oliver Barakat, SVP, CBRE.

MODERN CITY OF DREAMS

Downtown’s Laura Street will become the core of creativity, bringing together people of all communities to experience a new level of art patronage. “The Cultural Council is beyond proud to present these organizations that contribute so positively to our community,” says Tony Allegretti, executive director, Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville.

“The ambitious plans that Art Republic is working towards comes at a perfect time for our city. Murals on privately owned surfaces are popping up in many areas of town. The quality of life that comes with the beauty and creativity of art in the public realm is undeniable.” – Tony Allegretti

“The ambitious plans that Art Republic is working towards comes at a perfect time for our city. Murals on privately owned surfaces are popping up in many areas of town. The quality of life that comes with the beauty and creativity of art in the public realm is undeniable. This is why it is happening more and more frequently, not just with murals but also with sculptures that are on private property but available visually for the public to enjoy. Art Republic will add internationally acclaimed artists’ work to a downtown with a strong art and culture identity. I’m very much looking forward to that.”

Creative spirit Rachel Roberts is the founder and CEO of Oyl + Water, a Jacksonville-based lifestyle marketing agency that manages the branding and marketing for Art(Re)Public.

“We’re honored to have such world-renowned artists share their gift with our city, and we’re thrilled that the local community has embraced this project so wholeheartedly. Art(Re)Public is positioned to usher in a new era for Jacksonville’s creative community.”

“After two years of innovative programming for our renewed and vigorous Hemming Park, we continue to welcome more and more exciting community events,” said Bill Prescott, interim director for the Friends of Hemming Park.

“More than 100 people a day enjoy lunch in an art-centric atmosphere, as evidenced by the new sculpture installation at the corner of Monroe and Laura streets—thank you, Preston Haskell! The Art(Re)Public mural event gives us yet another sustained focal point on Hemming Park, just as the Friday Night Live and other events are providing. Hemming Park is event-centric and a great event destination. Third-parties reach out to us to use it for programming, allowing a win-win for both parties, and we continue to work with JSO to refine the park as a welcoming event site for the communities we serve.”

Through primary coordination with Visit Jacksonville, the Greater Jacksonville Cultural Council, Downtown Vision and others, Art(Re)Public will blast this epic Jacksonville event through street art blogs and relevant art publications highlighting event street artists and others participating in the Jacksonville event in 10 major US markets, including Orlando, Miami, Atlanta, New York, Houston, Charlotte, Washington, and Chicago. Mural goers are invited to use social media in support of the event to create new synergy uplifting Jacksonville for all corners. From the ground up, Art(re)Public will build the brand for Jacksonville’s Downtown Art District.

“With a thriving and proactive arts and culture community and a Downtown urban core generating serious recent investment, Jacksonville is poised to be the next great Florida city.” – Jacob Gordon

“Jacksonville is a growing and dynamic city with all the amenities of a major metropolis, with the comfortable neighborhood feel of a small town,” says Jacob A. Gordon, Esq., CEO, Downtown Vision, Inc. “With a thriving and proactive arts and culture community and a Downtown urban core generating serious recent investment, Jacksonville is poised to be the next great Florida city.”

The following sponsors are gratefully thanked: Preston Haskell, Pilot Pen, Tiffany & Co., Estee Lauder, Holland & Knight, Sun Belt, Myth Night Club, Luxuryia, Benjamin Moore, Montana Cans, Candy Apple Café, Black Sheep, HobNob, Native Sun, Element, Burrito Gallery, Liz Grenamyer, Shack Maui, Super Food and Brew, Splits, PRI Productions, Red Sable Art Supplies, Vestor, Hyatt Riverfront Hotel, Paulina Perex, Instaramp, Evolux, Oyl + Water, Wall Street Fine Art