Celebrate our community's deep pool of creative talent with us on the first Wednesday of each month in Downtown Jacksonville. The Main Library stays open until 9 p.m. for the festivities. Don't forget to pick up a Map & Guide to the Main Library on your way in. During your visit, you'll find plenty of public art, a huge vintage map collection, and more.
# Art Tours of the Main Library
Augusta Savage, Al Held, Kathryn Freeman, Lee Adams, Jerry Uelsmann. Do you know that works by these artists and many more are on permanent display at the Main Library? Come take a 20-minute docent-led tour during Art Walk and rediscover these remarkable paintings, sculptures, and photographs. Tours start every half hour starting at 6 p.m. Meet the docent by the Art Tours sign in the Pajcic Promenade (the entry/hallway on the first floor).
Tip: While these tours focus on the permanent works on display, we also have exhibits that rotate regularly in our galleries on the first, second, and third floors, featuring works by local students and professional artists. Please feel free to check those out after your tour.
# Local Art Exhibitions
On Parade Art Exhibition
Stop by the gallery on the first floor for a local art exhibition featuring the work of 15 local artists. This exhibition is presented in partnership with The Art Center Cooperative and Jacksonville Artists' Guild.
The show runs through September 29. For more information, including a list of participating artists and an online preview gallery, please visit tacjacksonville.org.
# Facial Expressions and Masks
An Interview with Artist Denise Sawyer-Johnson
You have creative works displayed in collectors' homes along the eastern seaboard--Maryland, DC, Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, New York, and Boston--as well as Jacksonville. Why the Library?
I felt very honored to showcase at the Florida Ballet, along with many other venues in Jacksonville. I feel the same about showcasing at the Library. The Library represents a diverse community and a commitment to literacy and lifelong learning, all of which align with my values. I relish the idea of engaging the broader Jacksonville community to experience and become acquainted with my work.
Your exhibit is called "Facial Expressions and Masks." What is it about faces that draws you in?
The actual expressions of a face - the eyes in particular are the draw and the impetus for my facial creations. Many times I am prompted by a particular feature, an expression, maybe a nose or an ear. I put that into a composite painting, starting with a sketch, and allow the theme to evolve.
In expanding my creations to include texture and variety, I include a range of natural and found objects. I use recycled or repurposed materials in my mask assemblage work.
You'll be on the third floor and have various pieces, both portraits and mixed-media masks. What would you like our library patrons to know?
Find your talent, cultivate it, and use it. I did not attend art school or formally train as an artist. I collected art for years, but one day I went to the neighborhood Y and saw them painting and asked to join the class. I started painting and taking classes, 8 years ago, now.
Your natural talents might be expressed doing other things and they might be dormant. More importantly, you should always challenge yourself to name, seek, develop, and enjoy your talents.
I am inspired by this quote. "Your talents is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God." -Leo Buscaglia.
Her exhibit at the Library opens on Sept. 9.
# Drop-In for Free Activities
Monthly Zinester Meetup
Do you read zines? Make your own comics? Drop by Zine Zone on the first floor of the Main Library every first Wednesday of the month (during Art Walk) from 6 - 8:30 p.m. It's a space where "zinesters," writers, artists and more meet to network, learn new skills, do group projects, and make art. If you haven't already, this is also a good time to browse or donate to the Zine Collection.
For more info, visit jaxlibrary.org/zines.
Smash Bros. Tournament
Join us from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Teen Room (on the first floor) for a Super Smash Bros. Tournament for teens (ages 12-18) on the big screen TV!
Board Games
Looking for other adults to play board games with? Join us from 6-8 p.m. in the "engagement" space on the first floor. Just look for the big red carpet between the gallery and the Zine Zone. Note: Participation from beginning to end is not required and players can join/leave at any time.
This month's games:
- Cryptid
- Strike
- Codinca
- Libertalia
- Cat in the Box
- Silver & Gold
