Support the Arts ~ Support Your Community!—The arts are fundamental to our humanity. They ennoble and inspire us, fostering creativity, goodness, and beauty. The arts help us express our values, build bridges between cultures, and bring us together regardless of ethnicity, religion, or age.

University of Pennsylvania researchers have demonstrated that a high concentration of the arts in a city leads to greater civic engagement and social cohesion. The well-documented connection between the presence of art and a thriving local economy is powerful.

With the establishment of the Art Presence Art Center, Jacksonville now has everything it needs to be a perfect venue for tourism: history, wine, music and art!

One of our goals for 2016 is to open the gallery for one additional day each week. To accomplish this, we appeal to the art enthusiasts among our Jacksonville neighbors to volunteer for one shift of 3 hours each month. We will provide a sitting schedule and training on the simple details you’ll need to know. Please call 541-941-7057 to learn more about becoming a docent for Art Presence.

The Road to Adventure: Journeys & Experiences in Travel—Our new exhibit of travel-themed artwork opens March 4 and continues through April 24. Come to Art Presence Art Center and immerse yourself in artists’ renditions of their own journeys and travel photography—you may find a visual memory from somewhere you’ve visited that is so meaningful you will want to take it home as a reminder you can enjoy every day! Join us to meet this month’s participating artists and view their impressions of The Road to Adventure at a reception on Saturday, March 5 from noon-3:00pm.

Art Presence now carries the books of 17 local authors!—Their publications include everything from self-help books to novels and cookbooks to children’s literature. Though we’re not planning author readings for March, please be sure to browse the offerings of our esteemed authors. Pick up a copy to read yourself or to share as a thoughtful gift!

Art Presence welcomes new artist Lee Greenstone—whose handcrafted canes and walking sticks are now on display.

In January one of our artist members, Ron Moore, passed away—Ron was a talented photographer and a dear friend. We will miss him terribly.

Art Presence Offsite Exhibits

  • Pioneer Village: “The World is in Constant Motion.”
    Catie Faryl’s retrospective exhibition of selected works from the past twenty years of painting—loaded with meaning, message, and humor—continues through April 28.
  • Jacksonville Library, Naversen Room: Elaine Witteveen Retrospective
    Framed works by the late and very highly respected Elaine Witteveen are on display in the Naversen Room through April 4.

What’s Happening Upstairs?—Every Monday, 1:00-3:00pm: Bring your pencils and sketchbook and draw professional models from life in our Figure Drawing studio. No need to register, just show up ready to draw! Still just $10/session.

Reserve our upstairs room for your class, workshop or meeting! Contact Anne Brooke at 541-941-7057.