MOCA Jacksonville: Hyperlocal Art History | MOCA Jacksonville

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Experience a series of captivating talks presented by renowned UNF Professor of Art History, Dr. Scott Brown, right here in North Florida. In honor of MOCA Jacksonville's 100th anniversary, they will be hosting a thought-provoking series of talks by Dr. Scott Brown that offers a fresh perspective on the history of art, all from the unique standpoint of North Florida. North Florida has a rich artistic heritage, being the home of ancient Indigenous cultures and the birthplace of the oldest European settlements in continental North America. Notably, Fort Caroline and St. Augustine hold historical significance as they were witness to the arrival of Jacques LeMoyne de Morgue, considered the first "American" artist. His paintings of the First Coast, skillfully engraved by Theodor de Bry in the 1580s, are among the earliest examples of "American" art. Furthermore, St. Augustine boasts the Castillo San Marcos, one of the oldest masonry-built structures in North America and a highly popular historic site in the South. During the period of 1870 to 1930, North Florida flourished as America's winter resort, attracting numerous esteemed artists who visited and painted in Jacksonville-St. Augustine. This list includes influential figures like Winslow Homer, Martin Johnson Heade, Louis Comfort Tiffany, and John Singer Sargent. Jacksonville holds its own unique place in art history as a cradle of the motion picture industry. Surprisingly, it also played host to what may be considered the most important art exhibition in America in 1924. The Women's Club and the Jacksonville Fine Art Society, the precursor to MOCA, organized an extraordinary exhibition of Modern art in March 1924. Featuring leading avant-garde artists of the era such as Marsden Hartley, Joseph Stella, Pablo Picasso, and Diego Rivera, this show marked the first of its kind in the American South. The women behind this groundbreaking exhibition caused quite a stir in Jacksonville, igniting passionate debates about art, beauty, and the future of the city. As we reflect on 500 years of art history from the perspective of North Florida, we realize that the same profound questions about art, beauty, and the future of Jacksonville still reverberate today. Join us for two upcoming lectures: "The Women's Movement and the Development of Art in Early Florida: Merrydelle Hoyt and the Founders of the Jacksonville Fine Arts Society" on February 21, and "The Art and Ideas of Our Time: The 1924 Woman's Club Exhibition and the Origins of MOCA Jacksonville" on March 6. These lectures are free with admission, so register and secure your seat in advance for this enriching experience. Admission prices are as follows: MOCA Members - Free, UNF Students, Faculty, and Staff - Free, Non-Members - $10, Children, Seniors, Military - $6. Led by esteemed speaker Dr. Peter Scott Brown, an associate professor of medieval art history at the University of North Florida, these lectures promise to offer profound insights into the critical interpretation of art and the art of the Middle Ages and early modern period. Dr. Brown's expertise in medieval art history, with a focus on Romanesque sculpture, will shed light on the origins of medieval architectural sculpture, the liturgical and popular receptions of medieval art, and more. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to deepen your understanding of art history and explore our rich cultural heritage. Please note that space is limited, and registration is required. Join us on February 21 for "MOCA Jacksonville: Hyperlocal Art History" at the prestigious venue, MOCA Jacksonville, located at 333 North Laura Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Tickets can be purchased in advance and range from $0 to $10. This event is geared towards an adult audience but is open to all ages. Don't miss your chance to be a part of this enlightening experience. Dr. Peter Scott Brown has been an esteemed member of MOCA Jacksonville's Board of Trustees since 2015. He holds a bachelor's degree from Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, as well as master's and doctorate degrees in art history from Yale University. His extensive research and publications focus on various aspects of medieval art history, including Romanesque sculpture, architectural sculpture and liturgy, spolia in medieval art, and iconographies of women and the profane. As a dedicated professor at the University of North Florida since 2005, Dr. Brown imparts his knowledge in courses such as art appreciation, medieval art and architecture, and the apocalypse in art. Expand your horizons and delve into the vibrant world of art history with MOCA Jacksonville: Hyperlocal Art History.