Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Container Gardens and Summer Heat – Jacksonville

by

Here in the south it’s hot, and as you know, not all plants do well in our climate, especially plants in containers. Now you can get tips and tricks about what plants can do well so that you can let your inspiration flourish for your container garden.

The first Summer Garden Tour of 2009 will take place on Saturday, June 6th, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. Take a look at the Zoo’s selection of heat-busting plants to find out what plants will look the best in containers. Guests are to pre-register online at www.jacksonvillezoo.org, and meet outside the Zoo’s ticket booths at 8:45 a.m.

“Not all plants work well in containers, and not all container plants do well through our hot Florida summers,” said Bob Chabot, Director of Horticulture for Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. “Join us and we will show you what we have discovered through our experience that works well for us here at the zoo.”

The cost is $10 for Zoo members and $20 for non-members (Zoo admission is included). Pre-registration is required and tour size is limited. To register, please visit The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

Flower

Third Thursday DREAMfest May 21st on Town Square

by

It’s time to jazz up Summerville. Thursday May 21st from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Cobblestone Trio will put on a free concert in Town Square. The Jazz Trio features Summerville native, David Archer, on guitar. George Kenny, a legend in the Charleston music community, is featured on sax. David Keller, from Savannah, GA is on upright bass. The music will be festive, featuring jazzy selections from many eras, to delight listeners.

This is a rare public performance by these musicians who typically specialize in private events at local resorts, fine hotels, and downtown reception halls. They have played for Heads of State, Captains of Industry, dignitaries from around the world, and have shared the stage with major artists, such as Ray Charles. Local businesses and restaurants will be open late with special promotions, some will offer refreshments.

In addition to the free concert will be the Art Walk on Short Central Avenue, local artists and crafters will set up outside with many unique items ranging from pottery to handcrafted jewelry. Local acoustics duo 2for2 will also be playing live during the Art Walk near the fountain on Short Central Avenue.

More details about Thursday Dreamfest Summerville

Summerville

Greek Festival in Charleston 2009

by

Experience Greek food and culture right on the coast. During this exciting festival you get the opportunity to try all kinds of interesting food, and find out more about Greek culture and heritage.

This year’s festival includes:

  • Greek food and specialities (gyros, kebob, mousaka, baklava and more!)
  • Greek wines and beverages
  • Greek music with 2 live bands
  • Folk dance
  • Cultural exhibits and shops
  • Church tours

Admission is $3.00 per person

Go to our events calendar by clicking here for more about
2009 Charleston Greek Festival

Celebrate Art Exhibition – Ponte Vedra, Florida

by

Juried artist member exhibition in Ponte Vedra on January 16 – February 21, 2009
Opening Reception January 16 — 6:30 to 8pm
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl – The Cultural Center is pleased to announce the opening of Celebrate Art 2009, a juried exhibition of artist members of The Cultural Center. This year’s exhibition was juried by Hillary Tuttle, owner of Steller’s Gallery in Ponte Vedra Beach. Mrs. Tuttle viewed over 190 pieces of media and chose 52 of the most outstanding pieces to be exhibited from January 16, 2009 to February 21, 2009. Susan Ober, Jacksonville artist, won Best of Show. Christina Foard won second place and Gordon Meggison followed in third place. Meet the exhibiting artists during our opening reception on January 16 from 6:30 – 8pm. A private reception for our Renaissance Society members will be held from 5:30 to 6:30pm.

Juror’s comments:
It was an honor to be asked to jury the annual members art exhibit for The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach. There were over 190 paintings submitted by both professional and untrained artists. Styles ranged from realism, impressionism, expressionism and abstraction with various subjects and mediums.

My criteria was to assess the works of each artist, narrow it down and choose the best three using my honest opinion based on originality, technique/execution, palette- use of color, and lastly subject.

Interacting with our represented artists each day at Stellar’s Gallery, I sometimes forget the vulnerability of putting ones work “out there” and the heart that lies behind each painting. Each artists should be commended for entering their work into this exhibit and I was impressed with the quality of work.

Rose IV, with evening sun in May, oil on linen, 2004The winner, Susan Ober, stood out because of the use of detail, light and shadow. Her oil painting of the rose had such a brilliant balance of the realism of the flower contrasting against a soft, faded background. Every vein on the leaf was executed with such precision. I am really looking forward to her being awarded a one person show at the CCPVB, so I can follow her work.

Susan Ober’s bio:
Susan Davenport Ober, a native of Virginia, moved to North Florida in 1987. She earned a BS degree in art education at Longwood College in Virginia and did post-graduate study in art education at Virginia Commonwealth University. In 1996, Susan earned a BFA, with an emphasis in drawing, from University of North Florida.

Ober has had a nearly life-long interest in portraiture and figurative representation. In this pursuit, she has used a wide range of media through the years, including pastels, oils, clay, wax and bronze. She is perhaps better recognized for her floral and still life paintings, and for her recent (and on-going) “LEAF project”. But to her, every subject is an opportunity to discover and reveal what it is that has made it special and unique.

She has participated in both solo and group shows in the southeastern states. Her work has received both regional and national recognition and is in a growing list of private, corporate and museum collections across the country.

TESTING LINK

St. Marys Community Market on January 10

by

St. Marys Community Market – 206 Osborne St., (Tribune & Georgian Parking Lot) this market takes place on Saturdays in downtown St Marys where you can buy from local vendors. For more information call 912-882-8111 or visit www.smcmarket.com

January 10, 9am – 1pm