Ritz Theatre and Museum
The most anticipated exhibit we feature every year is Through Our Eyes . Originally conceived , developed and curated by retired Ritz Museum Administrator , Lydia P . Stewart in 1993 while employed at WJCT , Through Our Eyes provides an opportunity for local African American artists to display their work . This annual show is the longest running visual art show in Jacksonville and collectors and artist a like look forward to the Through Our Eyes experience . Many artists have shared with me that Through Our Eyes is the standard by which they challenge themselves and grow and take risks and is the exhibit they want to debut their new work . For twenty-one years , the purpose of the exhibit has been to do just that , to give African American artists a place they can express themselves freely and expose their work to art lovers everywhere .
Through Our Eyes 2015 ‘ Wouldn ’ t Take Nothing for My Journey ’: An Artistic Evolution features the artwork of twenty Jacksonville African American artists . I ’ ve had the honor and pleasure of curating the exhibit with Lydia over the past 15 years and I have seen newcomers like Overstreet Ducasse , Princess Simpson Rashid and Keith Doles grow and develop and receive local and national recognition for their unique and creative styles . I ’ ve met artists like Melody P . Jackson , an accomplished singer , actress and beauty queen who never picked up a paint brush until she was diagnosed with a brain tumor , had surgery , and acquired nystagmus , a neurological problem that affects her vision and gait . She was prescribed Recreation Therapy painting and Spin Cycle Art was born even though she is blind .
Come by and see me for a tour . Our doors are open Tuesday thru Friday : 10 am – 4 pm and Saturdays : 10 am – 2 pm . We have group discounts for tours , schools , churches and family reunions .
Ritz Theatre and Museum
829 N . Davis Street , Jacksonville , Florida 32202 Ritzjacksonville . com ( 904 ) 535-1629
Adonnica Toler , Ritz Museum
Ritz theatre and Museum Adonnica Toler Jacksonville , Florida June 2015
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