For Immediate Release

September 9, 2015
For more information contact:
Amber Sesnick
904.899.6034
asesnick@cummermuseum.org

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

Last Chance to Experience the Whitfield Lovell: Deep River Exhibit
Jacksonville, Fla. The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens announces the final weekend for
the acclaimed exhibit, Whitfield Lovell: Deep River. The museum will be hosting the Ritz
Chamber Players at 1:30 p.m. for a special concert commemorating the work of Lovell. His
deeply moving exhibit is a multi-media installation inspired by the heritage of African Americans
who fled from slavery during the Civil War. Deep River uses sculpture, video, drawing, sound,
and music to immerse visitors in the heartfelt display, which symbolizes a journey to
independence.
I was immediately transported to another realm when I walked through the sliding glass doors
to the exhibition Deep River at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, wrote Thony Aiuppy,
a Jacksonville artist. Deep River received a great deal of praise from the community and also
inspired events, such as A Journey Through African American Artistry. This was an evening of
storytelling through the eyes of North Florida artists.
Inspired by the profound feedback from Members and friends in the community, the Museums
acquisition board announced plans to purchase the unique piece, Pago Pago, from the gripping
exhibit. Funds are in place to cover the majority of the cost to acquire the dynamic, mixedmedia piece, but the Museum needs help from the community to keep Pago Pago in
Jacksonville. If the goal is met, it will become part of the Cummers permanent collection and
will become the shared property of the entire community. Donations may be made online at
cummermuseum.org, in person at the Museum, or by phone at 904.899.6007.

SPONSORS:
Exhibition Season Sponsors: City of Jacksonville - Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, Inc. - The
Cummer Council - Robert D. and Isabelle T. Davis Endowment at The Community Foundation for
Northeast Florida - Elkins Constructors, Inc. - The Schultz Family Endowment - State of Florida

Exhibition Sponsors: The Director's Circle at the Cummer Museum - Do Something Great Today
Foundation - Harold K. Smith Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida - Carl S.
Swisher Foundation, Inc. - U.S. Trust
Exhibition Partners: Mayo Clinic Lyndra P. Daniel Center for Humanities in Medicine - Wells Fargo
In-kind Sponsor: Agility Press, Inc. - Wingard Creative

For further information, including high-resolution images and descriptions, to schedule

media tours of the exhibition, or to schedule interviews with staff or guest experts, please
contact Amber Sesnick at 904.899.6034 or asesnick@cummermuseum.org.
For more than 50 years, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens has been committed to
engaging and inspiring through the arts, gardens, and education. A permanent collection of
nearly 5,000 objects and historic gardens on a riverfront campus offers more than 130,000
annual visitors a truly unique experience on the First Coast. Nationally-recognized education
programs serve adults and children of all abilities. For more information, including hours, visit
www.cummermuseum.org.
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