Jacksonville Bicentennial

We Are Open for Exhibits: September Art Walk at the Main Library

We Are Open for Art Walk

Jacksonville Public Library is one of 50 U.S. libraries selected to host Americans and the Holocaust, a traveling exhibition from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum that examines the motives, pressures and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism, war and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s. Join us on Wednesday, September 6 from 6-8 p.m. (during Art Walk) for an Opening Reception at the Main Library! Enjoy light refreshments and music and get information about upcoming events.

We Are Open for Photographers: August Art Walk at the Main Library

We Are Open for Art Walk

Celebrate our community's deep pool of creative talent on the first Wednesday of each month in Downtown Jacksonville! The Main Library is directly across from James Weldon Johnson Park, from one of Art Walk's three major hubs of activity. This month, we have two local art shows, a Drop-In Summer Closing Party for teens, and more! Plus, it's the perfect time to take a self-guided tour of murals, maps and public art found throughout your library headquarters.

We Are Open for Gamers: July Art Walk at the Main Library

We Are Open for Art Walk

Teens: Did you miss any of our Dungeon Master Summer Academy craft activities like DIY Dungeon Tiles or Fantasy Maps? Join us Wednesday, July 5 during Art Walk from 5 - 8 p.m. for a night of makeup D&D crafts and writing D&D adventures while watching the new film: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves! Plus, the Main Library has two current art exhibits and more drop-in activities!

We Are Open for Art Walk: June 7 at the Main Library

We are open for Art Walk

Celebrate our community's deep pool of creative talent on the first Wednesday of each month in Downtown Jacksonville! The Main Library is directly across from James Weldon Johnson Park, from one of Art Walk's three major hubs of activity. We host student art shows, teen open mic nights and more! Plus, it's the perfect time to take a self-guided tour of murals, maps and public art found throughout your library headquarters.

Announcing the Winners: Jax Student Poetry Contest

2022 Jax Student Poetry Contest

Earlier this year, a simple call went out to local students: submit an original poem, not to exceed one page in length, celebrating Jacksonville’s Bicentennial. Students were given a simple prompt: "Looking back, moving forward. Take a look back at our City's history while imagining our bold future!” Last month, winners were notified and given the opportunity to read their award-winning poems on camera.

Bicentennial Art Exhibition at Main Library

Jacksonville Past and Present Bicentennial Art Exhibition June 1 through June 30.

It's not everyday a city celebrates its Bicentennial! That's why Jacksonville Public Library is so pleased to host the "Jacksonville Past and Present" Bicentennial Art Exhibition featuring the work of Jax artists from June 1 through June 30 in the Gallery at Main Library. Six finalists will be announced at the Opening Reception on Wednesday, June 1 during Art Walk (6 - 8 p.m.). Light refreshments will also be served. The Best in Show, Second and Third Place, 3 "Judges' Recognition" and $2000 in prize money will be awarded on the main stage at the Bicentennial Street Festival & Fireworks event on Saturday, June 11 at 5:30 p.m. in Riverfront Plaza.

Be a part of Jacksonville's Story

Be a part of Jacksonville's story

What do you like people to know about you another 80 years from now?

How have you shaped – or been shaped by – this Bold City?

To celebrate the City's upcoming Bicentennial, the Jacksonville Public Library will be doing what it does best: Collecting stories, preserving history, and sharing what it finds with the community. But we need your help!

Jax Student Poetry Contest

2022 Jax Student Poetry Contest Call for Entries

It's Jacksonville's 200th birthday! Add your voice to the celebration... and to history! Jacksonville Public Library invites youth in grades 4-12 to submit an original poem, not to exceed one page in length, celebrating Jacksonville's upcoming Bicentennial. Entries will be accepted online through April 30, 2022 and top winners from three age categories will win a cash prize!

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