Publisher’s Note

Are you among the few who haven’t heard of Imagination Squared yet? Or among the several thousands who have? Or possibly among the nearly one thousand creative participants? No matter: you have in your hands a fascinating snapshot of nine-hundred and eight-six imaginative creations and the people who made the Imagination Squared project possible.
The Webster dictionary defines the word imagine as “the ability of the mind to be creative or resourceful.” We are all about to experience just how creative and resourceful the people of our community truly are. Imagination Squared invited the entire community to create, and in doing so has brought the community together one square at a time. The result culminating into an exhibition at MOCA Jacksonville.
I was fortunate enough to watch this project unfold, and it is one of the most wonderful, heartfelt, unselfish community projects I’ve ever seen. Young and old alike participated–from ages two to ninety-two. The list includes seasoned, established artists, families, and (most impressive) individuals who had previously never given “being creative” a thought. It is such an amazing project that we wanted to find a way to bring this creativity to you (to the streets if you will) by featuring every participant who turned in a square by the deadline. How does one do that when you have nearly one-thousand squares? Bruce Musser, owner of Hair Peace Salon, suggested a pull-out centerfold. It wasn’t long before we concluded there was no poster big enough…so after much deliberation, a sixteen-page catalog was created and is included in this issue of Arbus. I hope you enjoy these wonderful individual squares. The catalog was made possible by very generous support from Julie & Michael McKenny, Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute and Betsy Lovett. The catalog was created by Douglas J. Eng Photography.
In the wake of the terrible oil spill in the Gulf, photographer Ray Dominey of St. Augustine Photographic Art (Hypolita at St. George Streets) and First Street Gallery (216-B First Street in Neptune Beach) have teamed up to help the wildlife through a t-shirt project called Bitter Pelican. First Street is donating $1 of each sale to the local Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol and $1 to the Florida Wildlife Federation. Donations from Dominey’s gallery go to the National Wildlife Federation. So go get a Bitter Pelican t-shirt, make a statement, and help the wildlife.
Enjoy!

Cinda Sherman, Publisher