It's time for the 5th Annual Back to School SmARTs Art Walk featuring the USGBC Green Lion Festival! Enjoy live music, 20+ local artists, delicious food trucks and 35+ participating venues. Celebrate the end of summer in #DTJax!
Visit Headquarters @ Hemming Park where you can enjoy live performances on the Main Stage, local artists and vendors, food trucks and an interactive kid zone with activities by My Gym and fun bounce houses by Backyard Carnivals, Inc.
Browse artwork by ABDUL, Artzy Fartzy Petz, Pandora's Boxes, OffensiveMe, Class-Sick, Mochi Boutique, Fluid Validity, The Bead Bowl, MacMaddie's Repurposed Designs, The Mermaid Alchemist, Blue Tide Art, Fawn Andrea Photography, Greg Furie, Art Expressions by CindyK and One of a Find. And don’t miss these vendors and non-profit organizations: Prestige Workforce, Well Care Health Plans, Bethesda Outreach Ministries, NextGen America, VyStar, One Blood Donation, the Neighborhood Services Office, Humble Wood Fire Food Truck, Island Girl Seafood, Balu's Surf Shack and Cool Scoops. Plus, stop by the Friends of Hemming Park tent for refreshments and concessions, awesome swag and to learn more about upcoming events in Jacksonville's most historic public space.
Head to Green Lion Festival on Laura Street, Presented by the United States Green Building Council • The USGBC Green Lion Festival in partnership with Aardwolf Brewery celebrates and elevates the green-focused businesses and organizations in Northeast Florida by creating a multi-block GREEN ZONE during Jacksonville’s Downtown Art Walk on Laura Street between Adams and Independence. Come see the first LEED certified tiny house on wheels, several different electric cars, LiveSMART (green home exhibit on wheels), many local green companies and nonprofits, and receive a copy of their local green business coupon book and directory with registration.
ART & CULTURE HIGHLIGHTS
The 5 & Dime, A Theatre Company: Stop by and view Inside Out, a visual journey through mental illness, created by the organization I Still Matter, a partnership between The 5 & Dime and Yellow House. Plus, enjoy issue-based theatre, song and dance performances at 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
At the Jacksonville Main Library, check out the opening celebration of Jacksonville: A Tale of My City. The exhibit examines what it means to be a community, as local photographers capture our city’s neighborhood identities. The exhibit and programs invite viewers to look around their own neighborhoods and see how the communities where they live, work, and play have shaped them. Check out work from artists: Wes Lester, Ana Kamiar, Marc Mangra, Cheryl McCain, and many others.
Jessie Ball DuPont Center: Join the Body Art Refined Exhibition (B.A.R.E) from 6-8:30 p.m. for an intense visual experience that redefines the perception of body painting in the art industry. Live models on display including canvas and prints for purchase. Plus, enjoy free samples from Manifest Distilling throughout the evening.
MOCA Jacksonville and NOLA MOCA: Get creative during Art Fusion with family-friendly activities and unique takeaways. Be sure to enjoy dinner specials at NOLA MOCA, located inside
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS
Chamblin's Uptown: Stop by and soothe your soul with live music, local art, a cup of coffee and a good book.
Dance Trance: Visit the 2nd floor location inside Anytime Fitness and try out a Dance Trance class from 6-7 p.m.
Jacksonville Landing: Enjoy cold beer, food trucks, live music, local vendors and artists at #FrontPorchJax!
Visit Jacksonville: Stop by to check out some great local vendors, artists and talents.
CULINARY HIGHLIGHTS
20West Cafe: Experience Austin singer/songwriter Justin Rogers from 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at 20 West Café! This Springfield resident’s eclectic blend of rock and soul can be heard in an Urban Core pub near you. Justin's smooth, melodic sound and long history of musical versatility displays his Austin, Texas roots and passion for groovy noodling. Stop by 20 West to check it out!
Regions Bank Food Truck Village: Devour delectable food from Fusion, Son of a Butcher, Manny's Cuban Food, Twisted Okie, First Coast Snowie, and Blazin Azn. Plus, don’t miss performances by Prodigy and Limitless Group.
Super Food and Brew: Experience artisan food paired with great craft beer and wine and enjoy live music by Justin Hyler until 10 p.m. This month, view art exhibits featuring work by local artist Tiffany Manning.
Sweet Pete's Candy and The Candy Apple Cafe & Cocktails: Stop by during Art Walk and enjoy a FREE sample of Gummy Book Worms and a chance to win some cool back to school swag. They’ll be raffling off new and fun items every 30 minutes, during Art Walk. Plus, grab a glass of the special Art Walk Punch at the Candy Apple Café for $5.
AFTER DARK HIGHLIGHTS
Myth Nightclub, Element Bistro & Craft Bar: Don’t miss "Silent Disco Art Walk After Dark Monthly Event"! Featuring over a dozen DJ's on 3 different channels, several artist vendors, aerial and dance performances from Jax Pole and Aerial Showgirls, and great drink specials all night long for everyone in the house! An experience not to be missed!
The Volstead: Be sure to check out happy hour from 4-7 p.m., artist Randy Lee Creations from 5-9 p.m. and live music by Raisin Cake Orchestra from 9 p.m. - midnight.
Produced by Downtown Vision, Art Walk is on the first Wednesday of every month from 5-9 p.m., rain or shine. On average, 5,000 art enthusiasts attend each month to discover more than 35 participating venues including art & cultural venues, restaurants and bars, Downtown businesses and more. The First Wednesday Art Walk is a great way to meet fellow artists, buy and appreciate their work, and be part of the rapidly growing art scene in Jacksonville, Florida.