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“Red Shouldered Hawk #2” by Michael Cenci

Quarter 2: 2nd Place Winner – Michael Cenci Lifetime Jacksonville resident and 2nd Place Winner of The Square, Michael Cenci, photographs Florida wildlife. [divider/ ] Artist: Michael Cenci Genre: Photography Bio: I was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. He has been photographing Florida wildlife and nature for over 25 years. As an avid outdoorsman, I try to capture nature …

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“The Dark Side” by Jason McCallum

Artist: Jason McCallum Genre: Painting Bio: I am a 34 year old resident of St. Augustine. I have lived here for 7 years with my wife and two children, and have been painting for a little over 1 year. Piece: The Dark Side Piece Description: Quite simply, these are the eyes of Darth Vader. Painted with acrylics on MDS board. …

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“Number 17, 2013” by Daniel Loughran

Artist: Daniel Loughran Genre: Painting Bio: I am a visual artist from Jacksonville Beach. My background and formal education are in painting. I have also been teaching drawing and painting in Duval County for nearly 20 years. I have had exhibitions at a wide variety of galleries as well as JMOMA, JMOCA, The Cummer Museum, The Florida Theatre, The Wilson …

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“That Lady Friend of Mine” by Nadia Della Penta

That Lady Friend of Mine by Nadia Della Penta A compliment you gave her on a watch, a scarf “Here take it, it’s yours. Glad you like it” Out stretched hand and sunshine bright smile “How are you? Your husband, your child?” Genuine concern, right from her heart Never a word to criticize For each and every one a good …

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“Texan Sunset” by Justine Renee

Artist: Justine Renee Genre: Photography Bio: I am a 27 year old female. I am from nowhere and everywhere as I am a world traveler currently residing in Northern Florida. I live to discover the world, express myself as a soul, and inspire the world. Piece: Texan Sunset Piece Description: The sun sets on an old tractor, melting away one …

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“Saint Augustine” by Steve Petrella

Artist: Steve Petrella Genre: Music Bio: I have been a winter Florida resident for 25 years, the last 8 of those winters spent in Crescent Beach, Saint Augustine. I am fortunate to be able to retire each winter from December 1st to March 31st. During those four months I like to walk the beach and explore Old Town. Besides photographing …

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“Tuesday Morning Groove” by Mason Maphey Project

Artist: Phil Maphey Genre: Music Bio: Mason Maphey Project is collaboration between Steve Mason of Two PM Junction, and Phil Maphey of “The Macy’s”. The collaboration is for generating music for submission to film, TV, Sports themes and Video Games. Piece: Tuesday Morning Groove Piece Description: Progressive Rock Instrumental Web: Mason Maphey Project – SoundCloud Mason Maphey Project – Facebook …

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“La Bella Italia” by Lucy Cortese

Artist: Lucy Cortese Genre: Poetry Bio: Lucy Giardino Cortese is a freelance writer and owner of Lucy’s Lines ‘N Lyrics. A graduate of UF, Lucy received her Masters Degree at UNF. She has been a teacher, district administrator, school principal and executive director in a career spanning four decades. Piece: La Bella Italia Piece Description: Following a recent trip to …

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“A Way To Heaven” by Jelena Gill

Artist: Jelena Gill Genre: Painting Bio: I’ve started painting relatively recently, after a long career that was in no way related to art. Although I’ve tried other mediums, at present I work with acrylics and colored pencils. Subject matters that attract me most are all related to people, our quest for inner equilibrium, peace, meaning of our existence, love, hope. …

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“Dove on a Wall” by Robert Hesson

Dove on a Wall by Robert Hesson Is there a way to unpin these wings from the wall of their unwandering, to feather this mortar that holds them, to shed the caging leaves that enbrick them to this shimmering stone? Look, the wings are spread, there is the head, like seeing shapes among clouds— very like a dove, some might …

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“Gracie” by Donna Grasso

Artist: Donna Grasso Genre: Painting Bio: A resident of Green Cove Springs I am a professional artist and art instructor. My studio is my residence. While commissions are my studio focus I paint plein aire whenever time allows. I left corporate advertising in 2000 to focus on my art. I teach art at the Seven Bridges Preparatory School in Orange …

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“The Passing Hand” by Kim Tippin

Artist: Kim Tippin Genre: Photography Bio: I am an amateur photographer, enthusiastic cyclist and smitten doberman parent who loves being outdoors. Taking photos requires that I keep my eyes open and see the landscape as it is in each special moment. Piece: The Passing Hand Piece Description: I love exploring textures and colors. Here, natural images tangle with manmade brick …

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“Dreams” by Dimelza Broche

Artist: Dimelza Broche Genre: Painting Bio: Dimelza Broche is a 24 year old Jacksonville based Cuban artist. She attended the Leopoldo Romanach Academy of Art in Cuba. She graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Dimelza has exhibited her work at The Cummer Museum, and at the S. Dillon Ripley Center, Washington, DC. She …

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“Waterlily” by Kate Merrick

Artist: Kate Merrick Genre: Painting Bio: Artist, gardener, grandmother, cyclist, activist, humanitarian, boogie-boarder, yoga devotee, traveler…. Piece: Waterlily Piece Description: One of my floral series of 12″ acrylic squares; subjects are chosen for their special beauty. Web: Kate Merrick – Website Kate Merrick – Facebook Kate Merrick – Twitter Kate Merrick – Etsy

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“Day at Deception Falls Washington State” by Julia Billings

Artist: Julia Billings Genre: Painting Bio: I am 82 years young. I have always enjoyed painting, now I can take the time to do it. They say “Practice makes perfect”. I am making sure I get a a lot of practice in. Some of my paintings are on facebook, and I am getting ready to start a new adventure in …

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“Camellia Center Bloom” by David Schmerer

Artist: David Schmerer Genre: Photography Bio: Hello! I am a mostly self-taught artist and photographer that started later in life. I have been privileged to display in the Yergin Gallery of the Jacksonville Jewish Center and have pieces in private collections. My main art genres are abstract and modern and I also design and create original pieces of Judaic art. …

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“Brown vs Board” by Vince Filer

Artist: Vince Filer Genre: Painting Bio: I love pencil and charcoal drawing. My favorite things to draw are old vintage pictures. Piece: Brown vs Board Piece Description: During a sit in but little girl has to stand, no more seats.

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“Waimea Flow” by Caitlin Flynn

Artist: Caitlin Flynn Genre: Painting Bio: I moved to Jacksonville 2.5 years ago from NYC. Received my master’s at Pratt Institute and taught and exhibited in NYC for 5 years. I currently live in Neptune Beach with my husband, and our 9 month old daughter. Piece: Waimea Flow Piece Description: This is the largest in my Big Wave series 56″ …

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First Coast Connect | 03/09/15

New UNF Poll Reveals Jacksonville Voters are Uncertain, Undecided as Election 2015 Looms Generation W Speaker and CNN Correspondent Kelly Wallace March Madness Sports Wrap Up with Cole Pepper

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First Coast Connect | 03/06/15

Discussing the Week’s Biggest News Stories with Our Roundtable of Local Journalists One Spark 2015 Recruiting Volunteers Riverside Arts Market Opens for Spring Season