CHILDREN (AGES 5 AND UNDER) | FREE STUDENTS (AGES 6-17) | $15
ADULTS | $20
SENIORS | $15
MILITARY | $15
EDUCATORS | $15
COLLEGE STUDENTS (WITH I.D.)
FREE (TUES - FRI) | $15 (SAT - SUN)
Hours and ticket prices are subject to change. Please visit our website at www.cummermusuem.org or call us at 904.356.6857 for the most up to date information.
We are committed to making sure that every visitor has an exceptional experience. For this reason, we reserve the right to limit capacity.
CITI FREE FIRST SATURDAYS
Free admission the first Saturday of every month from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
LATE NIGHTS AT THE CUMMER
TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS
Extended hours from 4 to 9 p.m.
FREE FOURTH FRIDAYS SPONSORED BY BARBARA ENGLISH
Free admission on the fourth Friday of every month from 4 to 9 p.m.
BANK OF AMERICA MUSEUMS ON US
Free admission the first Sunday of every month for Bank of America and Merrill Lynch cardholders.
MUSEUMS FOR ALL
Free admission for SNAP EBT and WIC cardholders every day.
MILITARY WEDNESDAYS SPONSORED BY THE PLAYERS
Free admission for all active-duty military, veterans, and families.
2024 EXHIBITION SEASON
SEASON PRESENTERS
City of Jacksonville
Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville
LEAD SPONSOR S
The Robert D. Davis Family Endowment
The Schultz Family Endowment
ENGAGE & INSPIRE
SHARE YOUR CUMMER STORY
At the Cummer Museum, we believe in curating a calendar as diverse as the masterpieces that grace our walls—each event a vibrant thread in the tapestry of our shared experiences. Our exhibitions are the heartbeat of our Museum, and thanks to your unwavering support, that heartbeat is strong and steady. But we are so much more than a place to experience exhibitions: we are story makers. Countless memories are created and stored here. Whether you visited the Museum on your first school field trip or you got engaged in the Gardens, we thank you for letting us have a part in your narrative and invite you to share your heartfelt stories. Email us at: marketing@cummermuseum.org.
Collaborating with the Cummer Museum has presented a rich opportunity for our art program. By partnering with such a prestigious institution, our students gained access to a space for creative exploration and dialogue. One of my 6 year old students lost his father to gun violence a few weeks ago. He sat next to me & drew. I praised him & said, “That’s probably the best thing I’d ever seen you draw.” He said, “I know.
One of Australia’s most acclaimed Indigenous artists, Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri was a founder of the Western Desert art movement. Mysteries that Remain is an important survey of Namarari’s work, featuring paintings on canvas and board from 1971-1990. It reveals the depth and complexity of Namarari’s artistic experiments as he restlessly strove to present the ancestral narratives of his desert homelands in new and innovative ways. Drawn from the extensive holdings of Namarari’s work in the Kluge-Ruhe Collection at the University of Virginia, Mysteries that Remain tracks Namarari’s progress from his iconographic and ritually explicit works of the 1970s to more abstracted landscapes of the 1990s. This exhibition is organized by the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia.
Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri (Pintupi, 1926 - 1998), Family Moon Dreaming, 1977, synthetic polymer paint on composition board, 24 3/8 x 18 1/8 x 3/4 in., Gift of John W. and Maria T. Kluge, 2008, Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia, 2008.0003.001.
Spirit in the Land is a contemporary art exhibition addressing urgent ecological concerns from a cultural perspective. Showcasing the work of thirty artists, it explores the deep connection between our identities and natural environments, revealing how cultural traditions are rooted in the earth and how relationships with land and water shape communities. The artworks reflect the restorative power of our connection to nature and highlight the importance of both biodiversity and cultural diversity for survival. The artists examine how our inner and outer worlds are interconnected, creating works that celebrate the beauty of the natural world while mourning its loss and the vanishing histories of people and places. The exhibition emphasizes the critical nature of environmental justice, particularly for marginalized communities, and centers the voices of artists who raise ecological awareness by focusing on those most affected by climate change. As environmental stewards, the artists in Spirit in the Land reclaim and revitalize the understanding of nature as a source of cultural memory, sanctuary, resistance, and spiritual nourishment. Originating in North America with connections to the Caribbean, the exhibition presents a vision of transformation and regeneration, stressing that the future depends on living in harmony with nature.
Spirit in the Land is organized by Trevor Schoonmaker, Mary D.B.T. and James H. Semans Director, Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University.
Lead support for Spirit in the Land is provided by the Ford Foundation. Major support for Spirit in the Land is provided by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.
2024 - 2025 EXHIBITION SEASON SPOTLIGHT: CENTERING LAND AND VOICE
This year, we’re inviting you to reimagine your relationship with the land. Our upcoming exhibition season explores the profound connections between people and the environment.
Two temporary exhibitions, Spirit in the Land and Knowing the West, highlight the diverse voices and perspectives shaping our understanding of the world around us. Through thought-provoking artworks and engaging programs, we'll explore the stories that emerge from our interactions with the natural world. Join us as we celebrate the land's beauty, consider its significance in shaping our identities, and discover how art can inspire us to become more mindful stewards of our planet.
Spirit in the Land is organized by the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University and curated by Trevor Schoonmaker, the Mary D.B.T. and James H. Semans Director of the Nasher; the exhibition features contemporary works by thirty artists who examine today’s urgent ecological concerns and explore how our identities and natural environments are intertwined.
Knowing the West is co-curated by Mindy N. Besaw and Jami C. Powell with influence and input from a curatorial advisory council and organized by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas. The exhibition embraces such traditional impressions while adding depth and complexity through a wide variety of artwork from diverse makers. Many of the works in the exhibition showcase Native American perspectives to recontextualize the American West.
Together, let's embrace the challenge of becoming more mindful stewards of our planet, inspired by the artists who bring these critical issues to the forefront. We look forward to seeing you at the Museum, where art and nature converge to spark dialogue, reflection, and action.
Join us from 5 to 6:30 p.m. for an exclusive reception with Robin Wall Kimmerer and then stay for her lecture at 7 p.m.
LEARNING FROM THE LAND: A BRAIDING SWEETGRASS LECTURE
Book signing immediately following the lecture.
Early Bird pricing available until November 1.
For information and to register, visit cummermuseum.org.
These programs are made possible by generous support from the Emily Balz Smith Foundation and the Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board.
Photo Credit: Matt Roth
EVENTS & PROGRAMS
* Live music is made possible by the Mildred Shafer Brown Memorial Fund.
Talks/Lectures
Culture & Conversation: Unveiling the Art of Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri with Drs. Skerritt and Myers
Tuesday, October 22
7 to 8 p.m.
Members $5, Future-Members $25
Aboriginal Australian art is the oldest continuous artistic tradition and has emerged as one of the world’s most important contemporary art movements. Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri, a Pintupi man, was one of Australia's most acclaimed artists and a founder of the Western Desert art movement. Namarari’s works reveal the depth and complexity of his artistic expression as he strove to present the ancestral narratives of his desert homelands in new and innovative ways.
Join Dr. Henry Skerritt, Assistant Professor in the Department of Art at the University of Virginia, and Dr. Fred R. Myers, Silver Professor of Anthropology at New York University, for a lively discussion about the dynamic works featured in Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri: Mysteries that Remain.
Curators in Conversation: Spirit in the Land with Trevor Schoonmaker and Holly Keris
Tuesday, December 10 7 to 8 p.m.
Members $5, Future-Members $25
Discover the stories and powerful messages that resonate throughout Spirit in the Land during this dynamic curatorial conversation. Hear from the visionary behind the exhibition, Trevor Schoonmaker, the Mary D.B.T. and James H. Semans Director, Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University. Joined by Holly Keris, the J. Wayne & Delores Barr Weaver Chief Curator at the Cummer Museum, Trevor will offer unique insight into the inspiration, research, and artistic voices that shape this inspiring exploration of our relationships with nature.
Events/Festivals
Self-Care Sundays: Tai Chi and Sound Bath Experience
Sundays October 13 , November 10, December 8
11 a.m. to Noon
Members $20, Future-Members $25
Registration Required
Your well-being matters. Did you know that every visit to the Museum is good for your health and wellness? 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.
Ghoulish Gallery & Garden Night
Friday, October 25
5 to 8 p.m.
Free with Admission
This Halloween, experience the Cummer like never before! Discover spine-tingling secrets of the Museum as you encounter friendly Gallery Hosts dressed as works of art from our collection along with trunk-or-treat style prizes. Enjoy a screening of the 1960s classic film The Little Shop of Horrors, spooky sensory experiences, oddities demonstrations, and more!
Register for the Make & Take workshop to create your own custom mask.
(See Classes & Workshops for details.)
Spirit in the Land : Opening Weekend Activities
Saturday, November 9
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, November 10
Noon to 4 p.m.
Free with Admission | All Ages
Drop in for self-guided explorations and familyfriendly activities related to our latest special exhibition, Spirit in the Land.
Adult Book Club – Braiding Sweetgrass : Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
Wednesday, November 13
1 to 3 p.m.
Friday, December 6 1 to 3 p.m.
Blend literary exploration with the beauty of the natural world. Participants will tour the Cummer Gardens and special exhibition, Spirit in the Land,
followed by a thought-provoking discussion of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Presented in partnership with the Jacksonville Public Library. Select one of the two dates.
Ponce de León Exhibition Reception: Spirit in the Land
Wednesday, November 13
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Ponce de León Membership required for entry
Ponce de León Society members are invited to join us for a private evening celebrating the opening of Spirit in the Land. Enjoy cocktails, small bites, and your exclusive opportunity to celebrate the exhibition.
Cummer Museum Members Exclusive: Spirit in the Land Happy Hour
Friday, November 15
4 to 7 p.m.
Membership required
Join us for a special member happy-hour event. Explore Spirit in the Land and mingle with fellow museum members. Enjoy live music, light bites, a complimentary beverage, raffle swag, and double discount shopping in the Cummer Shop.
From Branch to Treasure: Woodturning
Demonstration with the Jax Turners Association
Saturday, December 7
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Free with Museum Admission | All Ages
Witness the magic of woodturning. Observe skilled members of the Jax Turners Association transform ordinary wood, salvaged from the Cummer Gardens, into beautiful and useful objects. Visit Spirit in the Land to explore how intricately our identities and natural environments are intertwined.
Teen Book Club – Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults
Saturday, December 7
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Free | Ages 12 to 18 | Registration Required
Explore nature and culture with your friends! We’ll tour the Cummer Gardens and Spirit in the Land, then chat about the book, Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults by Robin Wall Kimmerer and Monique Gray Smith. Presented in partnership with the Jacksonville Public Library.
SHOP EVENTS
Museum Store Sunday
Sunday, December 1
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free
Join us for the eighth annual Museum Store Sunday – a worldwide shopping event, with more than 2,100 participating museums. Find unique gifts while also supporting the Museum’s mission. Shop with purpose.
Champagne & Shopping
Thursday, December 5
10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, December 6
11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Free
Shop, sip, and celebrate at our signature holiday event! Discover special trunk shows, enjoy exclusive offers, and contribute to the programs and mission of the Museum with the proceeds from your purchases.
The Cummer Shop offers a curated selection of retail items to suit every style and need.
CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
The Art of Portrait Drawing with Artist William McMahan
First Sundays | October 6 , November 3 , December 1
12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Members $35, Future Members $50 (per workshop) Ages 16+ | Registration Required Materials Not Included | See Website for Supply List
Spend a relaxing afternoon immersed in the art of portrait drawing with artist William McMahan. Whether you’re a budding artist or looking to refine your skills, this extended workshop offers a deep dive into technique and style under McMahan’s expert guidance. Learn to create stunning portraits of a live model using pencil, pen, or paint. Unwind, connect with other artists, and cultivate your creative expression.
Artful Storytime (Formerly Storyteller Mornings)
Third Thursdays
11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Members $5 per child, Future Members $10 per child Ages 2 to 6 with an Adult | Registration Required
Join us for a fun-filled adventure including storytelling, singing, and laughter in our galleries and gardens. Young ones will enjoy enchanting tales, accompanied by a touch of art, music, and nature. After the story, your little one will get creative and explore their artistic side in the studio.
Thursday, October 17: Artists are Creative! Inspired by Mildred Thompson’s Magnetic Fields
Thursday, November 21: Birds
Inspired by the Cummer Gardens and the exhibition Spirit in the Land
Thursday, December 19: Mountain Heights & Valley Sights
Inspired by the exhibition Spirit in the Land and Mount Washington by Edmund Darch Lewis
Art Adventures — Youth Workshops
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Members $30, Future Members $45 (per session) Ages 7 to 11
Registration Required | Materials Included
Saturday, October 19: Printmaking Techniques Ages 7 to 11
Discover the timeless craft of creating handmade prints. Children will carve, ink, and press their own unique designs.
Saturday, November 16: Landscape Painting Ages 7 to 11
Unlock the artistic potential of your child in our engaging Landscape Painting workshop. During this interactive session, children will experiment with various painting techniques such as blending colors, creating textures, and using different brush strokes to bring their landscapes to life.
Saturday, December 21: Vacation Week Workshop – Clay Creations Ages 7 to 11
Learn clay hand-building techniques using air dry clay. Children will create and decorate their own clay plates.
Discover creativity in action at the Museum, where workshops like pottery classes inspire young artists to explore their talents.
Make & Take Workshops
5 to 7 p.m.
Members $25, Future members $35 | Ages 12+ (unless otherwise noted)
Registration Required | Materials Included
Friday, October 25: Ghoulish Gallery & Garden Night Mask Decorating
5 to 6 p.m. or 6 to 7 p.m
Members $25, Future members $35 | Ages 12+
Registration Required | Materials Included
Design a hauntingly unique mask to complement your Halloween costume. Explore your artistic side with mixed media materials and become part of the spooky scene.
Tuesday, December 3: Natural Perfume
Members $25, Future members $35 | Ages 14+
Learn about the science of perfumery and techniques for combining organic ingredients to create your own signature scent. Create a one-of-a-kind perfume made entirely of natural ingredients and recyclable materials. Discover the joy of expressing yourself in an eco-conscious way!
Landscape Painting Fundamentals with Artist
Paul Ladnier
Sunday, December 15
12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Members $50, Future Members $75
Registration Required
Materials not included | See Website for Supply List
Unleash your inner landscape artist with Bank of America Concourse Artist, Paul Ladnier. Designed for all skill levels, this workshop will guide you through the fundamentals of painting the outdoors using oil. Learn Ladnier's technique for capturing a scene in a single session, from establishing good painting habits to developing your own aesthetic sensibility.
TOURS
Drop-In Tour: Highlights
Every Wednesday
Second Saturday | October 12, November 9, December 14
1:15 to 2:15 p.m.
Free with Museum Admission | All Ages Space is Limited
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.
Drop-In Tour: The Art of Pride
Sunday, October 20 2 to 3 p.m.
Explore art by queer and gender non-conforming artists throughout the Museum’s collection.
Experience the art up close with guided tours at the Museum, where every painting tells a story waiting to be explored.
829 Riverside Avenue Jacksonville, FL 32204
Printed by Agility Press, Inc.
Cover Image: Maia Cruz Palileo, The Way Back, 2018, oil on canvas, 59 1/2 x 47 1/2 in. (151.1 x 120.7 cm).
