Jacksonville's "First Lady of Art"
Affectionately known as Jacksonville’s “First Lady of Art,” Memphis Wood was a long-time resident of Mandarin. She excelled in many aspects of art, including drawing, painting, pottery, and jewelry, but is probably best known for her unique and colorful work in fabrics and textiles. Though she died in 1989, her strange and often brilliant work is finding interest from a new generation.
Attend the History Chat
Tim Gilmore joins us from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 2, at the South Mandarin Branch Library to explore the life and work of this celebrated local artist. An audience Q&A will follow the 40-minute presentation.
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About Our Guest Speaker
Tim Gilmore is the author of The Wilderness and Willie Browne (2024) and 23 other books, including The Mad Atlas of Virginia King and Devil in the Baptist Church: Bob Gray’s Unholy Trinity. He’s the creator of jaxpsychogeo.com, a 12-year project (so far) that tells more than 800 “true story portraits” of his hometown. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Florida and teaches writing at Florida State College at Jacksonville, where four of his plays have been staged. He writes regularly at on Substack. He writes about the haunted South and how the South haunts America.
Interested in this Topic? Keep Reading!
- Art in Florida: 1564-1945 by Maybelle Mann
- Made in Florida: Artists, Celebrities, Activists, Educators, and Other Icons in the Sunshine State by Art Levy
- Mandarin by Susan Ford
- Legendary Locals of Jacksonville, Florida by Laura Jo Brunson
- Jacksonville in the 1920s by Andrew R. Nicholas
- World Textiles: A Concise History by Mary Schoeser
- Artists’ Textiles: Artist Designed Textiles 1940-1976 by Geoffrey Rayner
- Exploring Textile Arts: The Ultimate Guide to Manipulating, Coloring, and Embellishing Fabrics
Researching Local History?
The Special Collections department at the Main Library has reference material related to Florida History, African American History, Genealogy, and more. Most of this you can't check out and take home. But we do have book scanners if you find something you need to save and refer to later.
Appointments are not required to visit Special Collection but you can call ahead at (904) 255-BOOK to schedule one if have specific research requirements or will require extra assistance. Our librarians can pull materials on a topic so they'll be waiting for you when you arrive! They can also teach you how to use the scanners, microfilm readers and other equipment.
Preparing for the History Fair? Check out these other resources.
Be the first to know about upcoming History Chats and more!
More History + Music
Like learning more about the history of art, artists, and how their work impacts creators and fans in the modern day? Join us on Saturday, March 7, for a special History Chat with musician and educator Tony Steve, followed by a free musical performance by the Civic Orchestra of Jacksonville.
History Chat: The Impact of Holst & Tchaikovsky on Film and Multimedia Scoring
Gustav Holst and Piotr Tchaikovsky are important figures in the world of classical music composition. Their music is a staple of concert halls across the globe. What is sometimes overlooked is how their influence continues in the work of leading composers for cinema and other multi-media projects like video games. Learn more at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, at the Main Library.
Our guest presenter Tony Steve is a prominent percussionist, composer, and music educator in Jacksonville. He is known for his work at Jacksonville University and with the Jacksonville Symphony, specializing in contemporary and world music, including composing for silent films.
Register for this History Chat
Civic Orchestra of Jacksonville: Music Inspired by Literary Giants
Walk through worlds of poetry, romance, fantasy, and heroism—and let the orchestra carry you from the shores of Whitman’s America to Verona, Paris, Agrabah, and the Shire. This free concert is for readers, dreamers, families and all who believe in the power of a story well told.
Join us from 4 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, in the Multipurpose Room in the Conference Center at Main Library. This program honors the imagination, courage, and timeless beauty found in the world’s great literature—brought to life through the colors and power of a full symphony orchestra.
Repertoire:
- Holst — Walt Whitman Overture in D Major
- Tchaikovsky — Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture
- Alan Menken — Aladdin Suite
- Selections from Les Misérables — arr. Lowden
- Howard Shore — The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Symphonic Suite
