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“Job Well Done” by Kudos the Kid

Artist: Kudos the Kid Genre: Music Bio: Kudos the Kid is an indie hip hop duo out of Jacksonville, Fl. While their music is rooted in hip hop, it is defined by experimentation and exploration. With certainly no lack of energy or style, Kudos the Kid utilizes the juxtaposition of melodies and big hooks against gritty vocals to create songs …

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“Moon-Cycle” by Diane Thompson Cortese

Artist: Diane Thompson Cortese Genre: Other Bio: I create touchable art because sometimes kids just don’t listen. Inspired by my two little boys and their zest for unusual ideas and all things colorful, I create paintings, sculptures and assemblages, often using upcycled materials. Piece: Moon-Cycle Piece Description: Acrylic/mixed media on reclaimed wood (18″x19″)

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“Egan’s Creek” by Kate Merrick

Artist: Kate Merrick Genre: Painting Bio: Lifelong artist, gardener, cyclist, peace activist, beach lover, yoga enthusiast, I live for art & my grandchildren & all children. Piece: Egan’s Creek Piece Description: A small watercolor done in Fernandina Beach for 1 day in my 365 day Creative Challenge 2016. Web: Kate Merrick – Website Kate Merrick – Facebook

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“Plarn” by Carmen Barfield

Artist: Carmen Barfield Genre: Other Bio: I create items out of Plarn, the plastic bags one throws away after going to the store. I weave them together to make balls and then use my needles or hooks to make items. I use aluminum cans as well. I crochet and knit them together using only the bags and cans. No two …

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“Reaching Out” by Marcelo Murillo

Artist: Marcelo Murillo Genre: Photography Bio: I’m absolutely obsessed with photography, it is all I can think of all day and night. My journey into photography started when I was young and would always be the picture taker on our family vacations and events. A few years back I decided to purchase a DSLR and I have not looked back …

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“Honky Tonk City” by Christine Schub

Artist: Christine Schub Genre: Painting Bio: I am a self taught artist who works primarily with oil paint on linen, cotton canvas or Duron board. I enjoy depicting the urban/industrial landscape in an abstract fashion. Piece: Honky Tonk City Piece Description: “Honky Tonk City” is a colorful interpretation of a city celebrating it’s best and brightest energy. Web: Christine Schub …

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“The Bride-To-Be” by Hal Padgett

Artist: Hal Padgett Genre: Photography Bio: A native of the Florida panhandle, I moved to the First Coast 14 years ago. Neptune Beach and I make a good match. Most of my photos are snapped on the boardwalk, sands, and fishing pier in downtown Jacksonville Beach. Piece: The Bride-To-Be Piece Description: Looking down from the north railing of the pier. …

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“Take it Back” by Stephen Mason

Artist: Stephen Mason Genre: Music Bio: Songwriter – Country, with occasional mixture of folk/rock with a blues overtone recorded with minimal tracks; however, still a full sound. While living in Chesapeake, VA, I studied chord and scale theory under instruction of “Lewis McGehee”- one of Tidewater Virginia’s finest acoustic players; of course that doesn’t mean I can play like Lewis, …

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“The Dragon, The Pig, & The Red Tiger” by Artur Nistra

Artist: Artur Nistra Genre: Other Bio: Artur Nistra has lived in the United States since 1999 when he first arrived in New York City from Rio de Janeiro looking for a new life in the Big Apple. After moving to Florida in 2003, Artur earned an Associate of Science degree in Graphic from Florida State College, later acquired his Bachelors …

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“I’m Gonna Need My Heart Back” by Brett Foster

Artist: Brett Foster Genre: Music Bio: For the past 30 years, Brett has played music, literally, all over the world (Africa, Bahamas, England, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, Romania, Singapore, Thailand, and throughout the United States). He’s recorded 3 studio albums (Grace Face, How Sweet The Sound, Brokendown Bus) and is soon releasing his 4th record. Brett’s acoustic solo show is both …

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“Purple V Shawl” by Donna Morris

Artist: Donna Morris Genre: Other Bio: I first took weaving classes in college. After I retired 2 years ago from teaching I decided to go back and weave again. I use a lot of hand dyed natural fibers in my weavings along with fun fur, tinsel and other interesting items. I recently attended Convergence 2016in Milwaukee, Wis where there were …

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“Rising” by Leslie Kirkwood

Artist: Leslie Kirkwood Genre: Photography Bio: I grew up playing in Jacksonville’s unspoiled woods and creeks. Now I capture images of Nature’s art—wildlife and native plants—in urban settings, finding beauty in small details and unexpected places. I live, work and photograph in Neptune Beach. Piece: Rising Piece Description: With a powerful stroke of its wings, the heron rises from the …

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“untitled” by David Hill

Artist: David Hill Genre: Painting Bio: I’m 58 years old I am been painting for 18 months I am self-taught and make my own canvases and frames. Piece: untitled Piece Description: It’s a scene with a mama wolf and her three pups. Dened up in a forest scene in the winter.

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“Tree of Life” by Emily Blue

Artist: Emily Blue Genre: Painting Bio: Recent transplant from ATL, loving living in the thriving art community on Amelia Island. Hoping to further my career and one day thrive as an artist in the north Florida community. Former pigeon wrangler & whitewater photographer extraordinaire, I have held more jobs than boyfriends, always searching for my next inspiration… Piece: Tree of …

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“The Verdict” by Moliere Dimanche

Artist: Moliere Dimanche Genre: Painting Bio: After serving 8 1/2 years in Florida State prisons, mostly in confinement, I am now a student at Florida School of the Arts on a full scholarship. My work submitted to you represents my time spent incarcerated, making the most of a bad situation. I draw things that have meaning to me with humor …

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“Blue Shutter and Bananas” by Wendy Tatter

Artist: Wendy Tatter Genre: Painting Bio: I am an artist from Saint Augustine, Florida. I work with wax and dyes to create my paintings. Using layer after layer of beeswax and paraffin , alternating with cold water dyes, my paintings emerge. I was a gallery owner downtown in Saint Augustine for 7 years, then on Saint Augustine Beach for 2 …

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WJCT’s American Graduate Champions 2016 – Lynn Sherman

Lynn Sherman serves as director of community engagement at Baptist Health where she leads community benefit initiatives that are designed to develop strategies to improve the health and quality of life for families. Under her leadership, the nationally recognized Tipping the Scale Mentoring Adolescent Advocacy and Intervention Mentoring Program has touched the lives of more than 1,500 teens and received …

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WJCT’s American Graduate Champions 2016 – Rachel Rippey, M.S.

Rachel Rippey, M.S., is the project coordinator for Project Achieve, an inclusive higher education initiative for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Florida State College at Jacksonville. FSCJ is a member of the Florida Consortium on Inclusive Higher Education (along with University of Central Florida, Florida International University, and University of South Florida, St. Petersburg), which coordinates state-wide efforts …

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WJCT’s American Graduate Champions 2016 – Travis Pinckney

Travis Pinckney is a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and founder of the College R-E-D culture. Ten years ago Travis was filling buckets of water from his church for he and his mother to take a bath, earning poor grades in high school, and entrusting drug dealers as his mentors. He made a sharp turn when he saw his close mentor go …

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WJCT’s American Graduate Champions 2016 – Ronnie King

Ronnie King is certified software engineer and owner of Scratchwerk, LLC, which provides Java development and staffing services, as well as personalized training for entry-level programmers. King is an active community volunteer and is currently the Vice-Chair for the Board of Library Trustees. As co-founder of the MyVillage Project and the MyVillage Project Community Fund, King is helping to bring …

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WJCT’s American Graduate Champions 2016 – Amy Buggle

Amy Buggle founded DLC Nurse & Learn in 1989 as a child care center to serve children with disabilities and medical complications. DLC now provides year round education, nursing care, and therapies to children of all abilities, giving them and their families the opportunity to reach their maximum potential. More than 140 children each year attend the inclusion preschool, after-school …

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“At Butchart Gardens” by Frank Martinez

Artist: Frank Martinez Genre: Other Bio: I have been a visual artist for many years. Seeking to avoid falling in a specific style I try to create ever different compositions. I often incorporate elements of different areas of study and exploration that may interest me at the time. Piece: At Butchart Gardens Piece Description: Deconstruction of a panorama while at …

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“Easter” by Roselynn Imbleau

Artist: Roselynn Imbleau Genre: Painting Bio: Heart driven artist. I work in oil, work from emotion and memory, and from small moments distilled from life. Currently, I am a VAMFA candidate at JU, and I live in Ponte Vedra. My work has been exhibited in North & South Carolina and recently at Alexander Brest Gallery in Jacksonville, Florida. Piece: Easter …

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“A la Vincent” by Viktor Lazarev

Artist: Viktor Lazarev Genre: Painting Bio: Was born last century as a human (I mean not as a “robot” or out of the galaxy alien etc.), and have the same feelings as you have. Love my family, wife and kids, house, and city where I live (Jax,Fla,USA). God is Love! Love you people. Vic. Piece: A la Vincent Piece Description: …

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“BUTTERFLY” by Andre’ Keeley

Artist: Andre’ Keeley Genre: Other Bio: I am semi- retired clergy with a interest in graphic arts, poetry, literary arts, jogging, music and travel. Recently published author of the book entitled “Forgiving The Father I Never Knew.” – (A Journey To Peace). Piece: BUTTERFLY Piece Description: The work represents the transforming qualities of unity and peace. Web: Andre’ Keeley – …

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“Florida Oaks” by Laura Colomb

Artist: Laura Colomb Genre: Painting Bio: For the last 7 years I’ve been an outsider looking in on Florida. The heat, the swamps, the humidity and the bugs have been like a foreign planet I’ve somehow landed on. The density of these forests, with the ominous rustle of creatures moving close next to you, but which you can’t see, create …

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WJCT Public Broadcasting Announces Its Champions of Education

Contact: Stan Cleiland, Vice President, Community Relations and Strategic Communications (904) 358-6366 • scleiland@wjct.org For Immediate Release WJCT Public Broadcasting Announces Its Champions of Education: Honorees To Be Recognized at American Graduate Stories of Champions 2016 Awards Dinner on Sept. 15 (Jacksonville, FL, August 31, 2016); WJCT Public Broadcasting is pleased to announce its five local champions of education to be honored …

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“Vincent Van Skelly” by Marie Marfia

Artist: Marie Marfia Genre: Painting Bio: My name is Marie Marfia and I am a pastel artist living in Florida. If you’re looking for art featuring skeletons, you’ve come to the right place. I like to paint skeletons as tourists capering on and around famous landmarks, as figures dancing on the beach or as substitutes for people in classic works …

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“Fascination” by Abby Howard Murphy

Artist: Abby Howard Murphy Genre: Painting Bio: Lifelong artist and photographer, Abby’s work includes murals for the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village and Timucuan Parks Foundation; SJRWMD watershed education illustrations; sets for theater productions at Stanton HS and DBC; publication designs as well as an occasional show. Working to preserve and advocate special places, her paintings celebrate the natural world. Piece: …

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“Sirens of Sado” by Shoot the Pier

Artist: Shoot the Pier Genre: Music Bio: Shoot the Pier is a local father/daughter band who writes, plays, records and produces original instrumental surf music at our home in San Marco. Our music gets airplay on CA college stations and has been used in movies and commercials. Support Local Artists! Piece: Sirens of Sado Piece Description: Inspiration came from the …

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“Various” by Arvid Smith

Artist: Arvid Smith Genre: Music Bio: Perfoming a blend of original compositions as well fusionist treatments of traditional music. Piece: Various Piece Description: Wood & Wire