Art After Dark

Florida Theatre Presents
The 15th Annual Art After Dark
Friday, March 18, 2011 from 6 to 10 PM

Proudly Sponsored by HASKELL

Art After Dark was first conceived in 1997 as a social event and fundraiser for the Friends of the Florida Theatre support organization. Over the past fifteen years, the event has grown in stature and popularity, and Art After Dark is now widely recognized as a unique and important showcase for many of our community’s “undiscovered” visual artists. This year, we are commemorating the impact Art After Dark has had on the culture of Jacksonville. For one very special evening, we invite you to experience yet another dimension of the Florida Theatre’s active role in arts and entertainment. We will showcase the works of 15 alumni artists, 8 student artists and several alumni students throughout our ornate lobbies in a celebration of our fifteen year. What’s more, you have a chance - perhaps for the first time - to see Jacksonville’s greatest architectural treasure from the point of view of a performer as you step onto our stage to explore the many exceptional offerings of our annual silent auction.

2011 Featured Alumni Artists

Heather Blanton: "Art After Dark helped me meet the art collectors and enthusiasts in my community. Through the Alumni program, I have managed to keep in touch with most of these people and have been able to show the progression in my work. Being the most important emerging Artist Program in our city, I find it an exciting way to see the talent in our area as deemed by its exceptional staff."
Holly Blanton: "Art After Dark was a very positive experience for me. I was formally introduced to the Art World in Jacksonville and sold multiple pieces that night. It is a fantastic way to showcase your work and meet people who are active in our art community."
Overstreet Ducasse: "One of the amazing things about Jacksonville is that there are many opportunities for local artists that are not available in other cities. Art after dark is one of those opportunities. I am Honored to be part of the 15 year anniversary. Art After Dark makes it possible for an up and coming artist to exhibit with established artist in one of the most beautiful building in Jacksonville."
Judella Lacle: "Art after dark gave me the opportunity to be involved in the arts community of Jacksonville. It helped me more deeply explore and discover myself as an artist. It introduced me to many talented people and artists. Art after Dark has been a pioneer in supporting and exposing new artists to Jacksonville."
Thomas Hagar: "As a participant in the inaugural Art After Dark, I believe Art After Dark initiated an extremely important and necessary launching pad for myself and many other community artists. Art After Dark has proven year after year a one of its kind event bringing artists and collectors together igniting the careers of emerging artists in Jacksonville. The Florida Theatre serving as a beautiful backdrop for the exhibition of artists works contributed to the nights energy and success! I am grateful to Jeanne Goshen and the Florida Theatre staff for their hard work and efforts throughout the years that have enhanced my career and many others in arts community of Jacksonville."
Christie Holechek: "In 2004, I returned to the Jacksonville art scene by participating in Art After Dark. The venue and one night provided the most exposure and conversation to my art practice at the time. It had been almost two years since my last show, and the best opportunity to reintroduce myself to the Jacksonville audience. I exhibited a new series of paintings and drawings and sold half of my inventory. I gained new business relationships, increased my collector base, and rebuilt old relationships with earlier followers of my work. Art After Dark became a significant stepping stone in revitalizing my entry back into a professional art career."
MactruQue
Lynn Matyi: "The 2008 Art After Dark experience was wonderful. It was exciting to meet the participating artists and be in a beautiful setting at the theatre. It was beautifully set up and what a joy to be among so many people who appreciate art. Thank you again!"
Gil Mayers: "I have been involved with Art after Dark as an exhibitor and committee person. I have both sold work and made friendships and contacts that have benefited me personally and professionally. Art after Dark and the Florida Theatre have worked hard to get artwork out to a larger Jacksonville audience. The focus on emerging artists has provided an opportunity for their sales and exposure. Student and professional artists have benefited from these exhibitions with the improved networking that results."
Kirk Reber: "Art After Dark was a instrumental steppingstone on my path toward success. It was an excellent venue for upcoming artists. I was proud to be included in the group of selected artist. Not only does the event feature unknown artists while stimulating the cultural community; it calls attention to The Florida Theatre. If there's one thing this city needs more of is culture. Art After Dark in cooperation with the Florida Theatre pioneered a rebirth of culture in this city long before Art Walk."
Ryan Rowe: "My involvement with Art After Dark has grown over the past three years. This opportunity to exhibit my glasswork from the previous years to the present has given me much appreciation and confidence to come back with better glasswork for every event. With out this opportunity to exhibit at this once a year event, my clientele and exposure would not be near the amount as it is now. I hope that the Art After Dark committee keeps encouraging more emerging artist to get their work out there and show Jacksonville what they can accomplish in the art realm."
Melissa Russell: "Art After Dark was a marvelous experience. The theatre itself was a joy and that joy carried over to the participants as well as the viewers. I had such positive feedback that it encouraged me to move into a more sculptural definition rather than the garden art venue that had been my previous experience. The other artists there made me feel like I belonged to a family of other creative souls, even though our work could not have been more disparate. Sometimes thats all it takes to give you the impetus to move onwards and upwards. I thank them for that."
Laura Lin Williams: "As a fairly new artist in 2005, Art after Dark was a tremendous boost to my budding art career. I sold several pieces that evening and got a great amount of positive feedback and I am still reaping the rewards as it also brought me a few repeat customers. I've recommended this event to many new artists since. Besides the showing of my work the whole event was just a wonderful experience. A night filled with art, music, great food and a beautiful old theatre...what more could an artist ask for? I appreciate the opportunity to have been a part of Art after Dark both as a featured artist and as an alumni in the following years."
Barry Wilson: "Art After Dark is an incredible venue for local artists to exhibit their work and to be introduced to the Jacksonville community. Visitors can meet the artists and collect their work. Art After Dark is one of the best things in the Jacksonville art world. I have had the privilege of experiencing the event as a participating artist, sponsoring teacher of participating student artists, and collector; all of which have been rewarding and positive. Art After Dark is one of those events that we try to do every year."
Jennifer Woodall Graham: "I felt that it was a great honor to be included among the up and coming artists for Art After Dark. When I was first included as an Alumni artist, I sold one of my largest paintings, "Cities" and recieved a lot of attention and further commissions as a result. I loved the energy meeting other artists and art lovers during these events. I am excited and looking forward to exhibiting with the other Alumni at the next Art After Dark."

Heather Blanton: "Art After Dark helped me meet the art collectors and enthusiasts in my community. Through the Alumni program, I have managed to keep in touch with most of these people and have been able to show the progression in my work. Being the most important emerging Artist Program in our city, I find it an exciting way to see the talent in our area as deemed by its exceptional staff."
Holly Blanton: "Art After Dark was a very positive experience for me. I was formally introduced to the Art World in Jacksonville and sold multiple pieces that night. It is a fantastic way to showcase your work and meet people who are active in our art community."
Overstreet Ducasse: "One of the amazing things about Jacksonville is that there are many opportunities for local artists that are not available in other cities. Art after dark is one of those opportunities. I am Honored to be part of the 15 year anniversary. Art After Dark makes it possible for an up and coming artist to exhibit with established artist in one of the most beautiful building in Jacksonville."
Judella Lacle: "Art after dark gave me the opportunity to be involved in the arts community of Jacksonville. It helped me more deeply explore and discover myself as an artist. It introduced me to many talented people and artists. Art after Dark has been a pioneer in supporting and exposing new artists to Jacksonville."
Thomas Hagar: "As a participant in the inaugural Art After Dark, I believe Art After Dark initiated an extremely important and necessary launching pad for myself and many other community artists. Art After Dark has proven year after year a one of its kind event bringing artists and collectors together igniting the careers of emerging artists in Jacksonville. The Florida Theatre serving as a beautiful backdrop for the exhibition of artists works contributed to the nights energy and success! I am grateful to Jeanne Goshen and the Florida Theatre staff for their hard work and efforts throughout the years that have enhanced my career and many others in arts community of Jacksonville."
Christie Holechek: "In 2004, I returned to the Jacksonville art scene by participating in Art After Dark. The venue and one night provided the most exposure and conversation to my art practice at the time. It had been almost two years since my last show, and the best opportunity to reintroduce myself to the Jacksonville audience. I exhibited a new series of paintings and drawings and sold half of my inventory. I gained new business relationships, increased my collector base, and rebuilt old relationships with earlier followers of my work. Art After Dark became a significant stepping stone in revitalizing my entry back into a professional art career."
MactruQue
Lynn Matyi: "The 2008 Art After Dark experience was wonderful. It was exciting to meet the participating artists and be in a beautiful setting at the theatre. It was beautifully set up and what a joy to be among so many people who appreciate art. Thank you again!"
Gil Mayers: "I have been involved with Art after Dark as an exhibitor and committee person. I have both sold work and made friendships and contacts that have benefited me personally and professionally. Art after Dark and the Florida Theatre have worked hard to get artwork out to a larger Jacksonville audience. The focus on emerging artists has provided an opportunity for their sales and exposure. Student and professional artists have benefited from these exhibitions with the improved networking that results."
Kirk Reber: "Art After Dark was a instrumental steppingstone on my path toward success. It was an excellent venue for upcoming artists. I was proud to be included in the group of selected artist. Not only does the event feature unknown artists while stimulating the cultural community; it calls attention to The Florida Theatre. If there's one thing this city needs more of is culture. Art After Dark in cooperation with the Florida Theatre pioneered a rebirth of culture in this city long before Art Walk."
Ryan Rowe: "My involvement with Art After Dark has grown over the past three years. This opportunity to exhibit my glasswork from the previous years to the present has given me much appreciation and confidence to come back with better glasswork for every event. With out this opportunity to exhibit at this once a year event, my clientele and exposure would not be near the amount as it is now. I hope that the Art After Dark committee keeps encouraging more emerging artist to get their work out there and show Jacksonville what they can accomplish in the art realm."
Melissa Russell: "Art After Dark was a marvelous experience. The theatre itself was a joy and that joy carried over to the participants as well as the viewers. I had such positive feedback that it encouraged me to move into a more sculptural definition rather than the garden art venue that had been my previous experience. The other artists there made me feel like I belonged to a family of other creative souls, even though our work could not have been more disparate. Sometimes thats all it takes to give you the impetus to move onwards and upwards. I thank them for that."
Laura Lin Williams: "As a fairly new artist in 2005, Art after Dark was a tremendous boost to my budding art career. I sold several pieces that evening and got a great amount of positive feedback and I am still reaping the rewards as it also brought me a few repeat customers. I've recommended this event to many new artists since. Besides the showing of my work the whole event was just a wonderful experience. A night filled with art, music, great food and a beautiful old theatre...what more could an artist ask for? I appreciate the opportunity to have been a part of Art after Dark both as a featured artist and as an alumni in the following years."
Barry Wilson: "Art After Dark is an incredible venue for local artists to exhibit their work and to be introduced to the Jacksonville community. Visitors can meet the artists and collect their work. Art After Dark is one of the best things in the Jacksonville art world. I have had the privilege of experiencing the event as a participating artist, sponsoring teacher of participating student artists, and collector; all of which have been rewarding and positive. Art After Dark is one of those events that we try to do every year."
Jennifer Woodall Graham: "I felt that it was a great honor to be included among the up and coming artists for Art After Dark. When I was first included as an Alumni artist, I sold one of my largest paintings, "Cities" and recieved a lot of attention and further commissions as a result. I loved the energy meeting other artists and art lovers during these events. I am excited and looking forward to exhibiting with the other Alumni at the next Art After Dark."