Art Brings Hope—Studies show art therapy helps give back to Alzheimer’s patients what the disease has taken away. Creating and appreciating art stimulates the senses, creates new pathways to “lost” memories, and encourages conversation. Alzheimer’s patients, even if nonverbal, can use it as a form of expression, restoring communication with relatives already mourning the “loss” of their loved one.

Celebrate!—Our June/July exhibit features member artworks visualizing the fun of celebration. For example, celebrating the 150th anniversary in print of Alice in Wonderland, Leona Keene Sewitsky created Wonder-ful assemblage pieces based on the book’s characters to celebrate their “birthdays.” Celebrate! opens Friday, June 5, remaining on display for two months.

Join Art Presence on Saturday, June 6, as we celebrate the Britt Festival’s 2015 season opening during the Taste of Summer. We’re delighted to welcome back New Napa Wine to start the fun with a “Rock ‘n’ Roll” wine and bacon pairing class from 11:00am–12:00pm. Get your wine tasting tickets at our front desk from 11:00am–4:00pm, and enjoy live acoustic rock ‘n’ roll with local band SIP and friends all day. Our Taste of Summer celebration doubles as the opening reception for Celebrate!, so begin your taste of summer at Art Presence to celebrate the artists and their art, enjoying all we have to offer before setting out to taste the fruits of local vineyards throughout Jacksonville!

Don’t miss our offsite exhibits for more original art by Art Presence members:

Katharine Gracey’s exhibit of paintings at Pioneer Village continues through July 10

Catie Faryl’s exhibit, The Bridge to 2020, at the Medford Library continues through June

Walt Wirfs’ exhibit of oil paintings in the Jacksonville Library’s Naversen Room continues through August

Art Presence now features fiction and nonfiction works by local authors; readings resume next month. More June developments aren’t ready to announce—Check our website, art-presence.org, for the latest news.

Call to Artists!—Art Presence invites regional artists to participate in Moon Lunacy, our third-annual October Creative Challenge. This year we challenge you to create Halloween-inspired or autumn artwork of any size, in any 2D or 3D medium, with an unconventional twist and incorporating a moon. Entry deadline: Monday, June 29. More info and downloadable application at art-presence.org.

Sharpen your skills in life drawing sessions with professional models! Join us in our classroom 1:00-3:00pm every Monday for just $10/session. Instruction upon request. Just bring pencil and paper, and come ready to draw!

Schedule our upstairs room for your class, workshop or meeting! Contact Anne Brooke at 541-941-7057 to reserve a date.

“Fire and Light,” acrylic painting by Patrick Beste