Before Hollywood dominated the film industry, Florida was the hot spot for movie executives. With our warm weather, sunny skies, convenient location, cheap labor, and diverse scenery, Florida quickly became a frontrunner in the early film business in the first part of the 20th century. Jacksonville in particular seemed a logical choice as a capital.
Revisiting Christian Iconography asks the viewer to consider how traditional Christian artwork and iconography has changed across time. Scenes depicting the life of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, or other New Testament references have been used for centuries in Western European art to inspire devotion. However, as artistic self-expression became more prevalent in the late …
Touring the Landscape explores how American artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries shaped national identity through landscape paintings of iconic tourist destinations. As a burgeoning tourist industry grew, artists traveled widely, shaping a corpus of iconic views that helped define what it meant to be American. From the marshes of Florida to the pastoral …
Art in Bloom brings together nature-inspired works of art, enhancing the Cummer Museum’s dynamic dialogue between interior galleries and our historic gardens. Coinciding with the height of our spring season, Art in Bloom celebrates how today’s artists are expanding the boundaries of floral art far beyond historic still-life paintings. Works from the Cummer's permanent collection …
The Cummer Museum’s Bank of America Concourse Gallery welcomes Jacksonville-based photographer and artist Ashley Woodson Bailey with What Remains. This body of work explores the relationship between photography, time, and preservation through the botanical subject. “Flowers have long functioned as a visual language in art, symbolizing beauty, mortality, and transformation,” Bailey shares. “I am drawn …
Moment in Time: A Legacy of Photographs features 115 works by important international photographers dating from the invention of the medium in the 1830s through the mid-20th century, including William Henry Fox Talbot, Julia Margaret Cameron, Timothy O’Sullivan, Paul Strand, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Ansel Adams, Helen Levitt, and Walker Evans. The history and evolution of this photography …
Embark on a journey through time as you explore works of art that span from ancient cultures through today. Led by a volunteer Docent, tours leave from the Museum lobby and explore highlights and favorites from the Museum’s collection. Image Credit Willard Leroy Metcalf (American, 1858 – 1925), Ponte Alla Badia, Florence, 1913, oil …
Unwind and rejuvenate amidst the beauty of the Cummer Gardens. Yoga for All! With Soluna Yoga + Spa welcomes all ages and skill levels for a mindful movement experience. This inclusive series, perfect for individuals and families, offers a relaxed atmosphere to stretch, breathe, and connect. Join us for a rejuvenating experience. Blend wellness, creativity, …
Spend a restorative afternoon developing your portrait drawing skills with artist William McMahan. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to refine your technique, this extended workshop offers a deep dive into form, proportion, and personal style. Under McMahan’s guidance, you’ll learn to draw expressive portraits of a live model using pencil, pen, or paint. Connect …
Embark on a journey through time as you explore works of art that span from ancient cultures through today. Led by a volunteer Docent, tours leave from the Museum lobby and explore highlights and favorites from the Museum’s collection. Image Credit Willard Leroy Metcalf (American, 1858 – 1925), Ponte Alla Badia, Florence, 1913, oil …
Get ready for summer with a hands-on mixology workshop inspired by Art in Bloom and the Cummer Gardens. Explore how vibrant botanicals shape aroma, color, and taste while learning techniques to craft fresh, seasonal cocktails and mocktails. Sip, stir, and savor as you blend garden ingredients and creativity into a lively evening that celebrates the …
Discover the stories, ideas, and cultures that shape the Museum’s collection on this engaging drop-in tour. Led by a volunteer Docent, you’ll explore standout works from ancient to contemporary times, gain new insights into familiar pieces, and learn how different artworks connect across history. Tours depart from the Museum lobby and offer a welcoming, relaxed …
An exquisite evening among the blossoms in support of art, gardens, and community Join us for a spectacular fundraising event in the Cummer Gardens, inspired by our current exhibition Art in Bloom. This enchanting evening will feature live music, a silent and live auction, interactive art experiences, and delectable bites and libations under the stars …
Did you know that every visit to the Museum is good for your health and well-being? Treat yourself to a gentle Tai Chi & Sound Bath Experience in the Cummer Gardens and then explore the Museum campus to find your center. Comfortable clothes and mats are recommended. Ticket includes admission to Museum
Embark on a journey through time as you explore works of art that span from ancient cultures through today. Led by a volunteer Docent, tours leave from the Museum lobby and explore highlights and favorites from the Museum’s collection. Image Credit Willard Leroy Metcalf (American, 1858 – 1925), Ponte Alla Badia, Florence, 1913, oil …
Give your child an afterschool adventure that sparks curiosity and creativity. Each session of Creative Kids offers a new Museum experience – whether it’s exploring the galleries, discovering the gardens, or getting inspired by unique artworks and spaces. Children will then bring their ideas to life through hands-on projects in the studio. Register online to …
Explore how American artists of the late 19th century and beyond used landscape painting to shape ideas about national identity, history, and the natural world. On this guided tour, you’ll explore sweeping vistas, symbolic settings, and scenes that reveal how artists interpreted the land – and how those interpretations continue to influence our understanding of …
Take your portrait-drawing practice further in this advanced workshop with artist William McMahan. Designed for returning students or those with prior experience, this session offers extended studio time to refine technique, strengthen observation skills, and deepen personal style. Work from a live model as McMahan provides individualized guidance to help you grow as an artist. …
Bring your little ones for a fun-filled adventure of storytelling, song, and discovery in the Museum’s galleries and gardens. Each session features delightful tales connected to art and nature, along with music, movement, and plenty of laughter. Afterward, children can express their creativity with a hands-on artmaking activity in the studio. Bloom in Art …
Embark on a journey through time as you explore works of art that span from ancient cultures through today. Led by a volunteer Docent, tours leave from the Museum lobby and explore highlights and favorites from the Museum’s collection. Image Credit Willard Leroy Metcalf (American, 1858 – 1925), Ponte Alla Badia, Florence, 1913, oil …
What stories do Northeast Florida’s buildings tell, and how have they shaped the region for over three and a half centuries? From St. Augustine to Jacksonville to Fernandina Beach, the region’s architectural landscape offers a visual chronicle of resilience, creativity, and cultural change. Join historian Dr. Wayne Wood for an engaging lecture that reveals iconic …
Embark on a journey through time as you explore works of art that span from ancient cultures through today. Led by a volunteer Docent, tours leave from the Museum lobby and explore highlights and favorites from the Museum’s collection. Image Credit Willard Leroy Metcalf (American, 1858 – 1925), Ponte Alla Badia, Florence, 1913, oil …
Roll up your sleeves and spend the morning digging into the art and science of plant propagation with the Cummer Museum’s Gardens & Horticulture Team. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll practice a variety of techniques – including growing from seed, taking cuttings, dividing plants, and air-layering – while building skills you can confidently use at …