DON’T MISS A BEAT

Well, if that doesn’t beat all!

This art enthusiast beat feet all over town from the Yellow House in Riverside to five other art exhibits in one evening during ArtWalk. I beat the clock up and down Billy Goat Hill to see the First Coast Plein Air Painters’ exhibit “To Steal a Moment,” Sunil Ancha’s solo photography exhibit, and The Arts Center Co-Operative exhibition “Red, White and Blue” at the Jacksonville Main Library.

Plein Air awards by juror Michael Dunlap for “To Steal a Moment” went to Sheryl Roach for Best in Show; Randy Pitts took second place; Carrie Keene took third; and Honorable Mentions for Alex Ottich and LuAnn Dunkinson. Patrick Mahoney took first in “Red, White, and Blue,” with Gail Karson and Ed Malesky gaining Juror’s Choice awards. You can’t beat that!

Then on to Southlight Gallery for the intriguing work of Edmund Troy, where, joined by escorts Rick Redshaw and Aaron Jackson, we beat a path to Kandice Clark’s Petite Gallery pop-up art gallery on E. Adams Street.

The JCA gallery featured the beautiful work of Carron Wedlund and Jeannette Dennis. “Sounds of Summer” is up at North Point Dental, where Stephanie Welchans earned first place, and Mary Atwood and Gail Karson each took Juror’s Choice Awards.

At Church of the Good Shepherd, Lisa Lofton earned top honors in the JAG exhibit “Daydreams.” Lori Frazier gained a Juror’s Choice Award, while Gail Karson beat the odds and was awarded another Juror’s Choice Award in the same week in two different exhibits.

My heart skipped a beat at the fifth annual Duval Comic and Zine Fest at the Cork Arts District. Fifty-three comic illustrators/writers were on display with hands-on activities, demonstrations, and a wide variety of work featuring everything from superheroes to political commentary to kids’ stuff. Senior Organizer James Greene was the “driving force” and featured artist at First Coast Comicon. You can’t beat Superheroes.

The Grand Slam at Babs’ Lab was fantastic, with so many interesting stories from talented people. Grand Prize went to Doug Green for his poignant and personal reflections on finding his voice. Seven other presenters and winners from past Story Slams competed for the finale, including Ashley Woodson Bailey, Erin Cowart, Johnny Masiulewicz, Melanye Rodriguez, Mary Strickland, and Michael Walther.

UNF Associate Professor Jillian Smith and her students at Afterimage Productions didn’t beat around the bush as they presented inspiring documentaries at MOCA about Jacksonville’s residents who march to the beat of a different drummer. “Empanadas, Weed and Batman” is a fascinating story of the artisans and vendors at the Beaches Flea Market, some of whom have been there for 30 years or more; “Deaf Means” is an uplifting and informative look at UNF Adjunct Professor Mitchell Rex Moers’ life of “teaching, protesting, and living deaf.”

“One More Book” is an up-close and personal account of Ron Chamblin, his life journey, and his obsession with books. Chamblin’s Bookmine and Uptown bookstores have beat the odds for success as the go-to place for books – thousands and thousands of books (and maybe just one more) since 1976.

Women Writing for a Change featured work at FSCJ Kent Campus for a varied and vibrant collection at this exhibit and writing event. This writer beat the rush over there for those sterling exhibits. Not to beat a dead horse, but just another reminder that J-ville is bustling with performing arts, visual arts, and creative ventures in every conceivable genre.

Beat feet for fun times at Silver Cow in Murray Hill on the second Wednesday night of the month for Bards and Brews Spoken Word, Jam on Tuesdays, and art exhibits, including a recent exhibit by Kali Freeland, are part of this “creative hub.” These folks certainly know how to “give me a beat boy, and free my soul,” as do the talented gathering of musicians on Wednesday nights at Grace Notes for Open Mic and Thursdays at Lillian’s Sports Bar – don’t miss a beat as Jacksonville’s talented creatives come out to play.

These are the places to Be AT.