Tag Archives: First Wednesday Art Walk

When she first conceived the idea for the Kesha exhibit, Arts and Culture Developer, Shawana Brooks recalls asking herself, “What would it take to showcase artists that lived here in Jacksonville and resource their abilities back to the community? What would it take to execute creative and collaborative art exhibitions that had a strong position on learning in all dimensions?” Through her curation of 14 black female artists, Brooks developed Kesha as a representation of the black female experience attached to one female name. She strives to explore society’s consistent erasure of the black female through “high quality contemporary work …

The inaugural year of featured a Creator called “,” helmed by a marketing team intent on designating and branding an entertainment district Downtown. The idea may be foreign to Jacksonville, but it’s not a unique concept. The French Quarter in New Orleans, the Gaslamp District in San Diego, and the closer-to-home Ybor City in Tampa have all branded themselves as a downtown destination for happy hours and late nights out. However, our own Jacksonville’s urban center only had what may have been vaguely described as “around Bay Street.” The Elbow saw moderate success at One Spark in 2013, and subsequently …

Whatever 2014 threw your way, a new year means new possibilities. It’s a chance to start something new, to be a better you. Maybe that’s why New Year’s resolutions are so popular. According to the all-knowing Wiki, about 40% of us make them. Whatever your ideas of self-improvement might be, Downtown Jacksonville will deliver. “In 2015, I will support the arts.” If you hashtagged in 2014, put your resolution where your quick-typing fingers are and spend time perusing ’s contemporary art, then pop over to the at . Take in a show at the historic or at the where you …