For Jacksonville, and most cities really, hardly a need or an
issue arises where the arts cannot play a role. They’re key to education, health care, crime prevention and neighborhood development, and are an economic driver.
The arts are a primary way to connect a community. If you
think about museums, concerts, the jazz festival downtown or the
blues festival at the beach or Art Walk, those are some of the biggest ways we bring diverse people together, and art is the hook.
What’s the best part of your job?
When I feel like I’ve had a good day at work, it usually has
to do with the people I’m around. I have an amazing staff and
board, and our volunteers are really inspiring and deeply committed.
I get most excited when I’m connecting with people in the
museum. When you get to experience the joy of children making
art or talking to a group of adults about a painting — those are
the best.
Tell me about your favorite kind of art.
I’m a consumer of all art forms. I love live music — the Jack-
sonville Symphony Orchestra, our theatres, dance — but as a
museum professional I’m partial to visual arts
I’ve really surrounded my life with art — my work is visual art,
my home is visual art and my husband is a visual artist.
What’s going on at the Cummer now and what’s coming
up that you’re excited about?
We just finished a busy summer of exhibits and camps, and
we’re getting ready to launch an exciting school year with a lot to
offer to all the school districts in the area.
We have two great exhibits coming up celebrating women and
other cultures, so the museum i ́