Jacksonville: Hot Tips, Events, Places to Go

North Florida's only arts and business magazine that contains substance with a cultural twist, and a heart for promoting arts education in the community. Arbus is the recipient of the prestigious North Florida Cultural Council’s 2002 Award for Excellence in the Arts. 28,000 copies of Arbus are distributed and available free throughout North Florida. Subscriptions are also available.

This Issue’s Feature Stories

Publisher’s Note

by Cinda Sherman, Publisher

By the time this issue comes out the school year will have begun. As we are all aware, there continues to be an ongoing struggle in the area of art and education. But I’ve always believed that there are three A’s of accomplishment: academics, athletics and arts. When one hears the words arts and education in Jacksonville, the first thing to spring to mind is most likely our vibrant and nationally renowned high school arts magnet, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts (DASoTA, or DA for short).

Salvador Dalí

When an artist has become as synonymous with an art history movement as Salvador Dalí has become to Surrealism, it seems almost surreal to meet someone who knew him on a personal and professional level. Madame Christine Argillet is one such person: The daughter of Dalí's legendary publisher and confidante,Pierre Argille, she visits Jacksonville in February to accompany a museum-quality collection of Dalí's works: original etchings, Aubusson Tapestries and original watercolors made available by the Argillet Estate.

Lonnie Schlein’s Photographs Exquisite Records of Their Time

by Madeleine Peck Wagner

“It is exceedingly hard to get [even] four people to agree on one image,” says Lonnie Schlein in a 2010 interview from the Chianciano International Award for Digital and Photographic Art in Italy.
Schlein, the former national photo editor for the The New York Times, had been at the paper for thirty-five years before taking a buyout in 2009.

What is Contemporary Art?

by Carl Holman Manager of Communications

This is an excellent question, and one that isn't asked often enough.
Presumably, this is another one of those art definitions everyone should inherently know–either by osmosis or some other telepathic means.

Autumn in the Park Farm to Table Dinner

by Arbus Staff • Photography by Jensen Hande

After a very successful inaugural event in 2010, November 6, 2011 saw San Marco’s Davin Park transformed into a scene more often associated with Napa Valley or Tuscany—one white-clothed communal table, stretching long enough to seat one-hundred and twenty guests, each bringing their own plate for a special alfresco feast under a twinkle-lit tree canopy: It is the second annual Autumn In the Park Farm to Table Dinner and quite literally a feast for the senses.

Gold Star Restaurants

by Arbus Staff

We at Arbus are delighted and inspired by the ‘Go Local’ zeitgeist that seems to have taken hold here in Jacksonville. In addition to shopping at locally-owned retail spots, we encourage, even implore, you to frequent our locally-owned restaurants. And here’s the bonus: some of our best restaurants, many of which mentioned below, are taking the trend very seriously, sourcing their ingredients— produce to proteins—from nearby, organic and sustainable farms. The magic here is that not only are these chefs and owners investing in our environmental health, our local economy and some good food-chain karma, but the dishes resulting from such high standards are unmistakably more delicious. And as is the case with unique venues in general, everything about the experience is more satisfying; more, well, real. These locally owned restaurants are truly the heart and soul of our community. If you’re going to dine out and spend your hard-earned dollars, shouldn’t you support those who are working hard to infuse our neighborhoods with quality, personality and reliably great food? The restaurants here help make our distinctive neighborhoods each their own destination. GoLo!