JACKSONVILLE – The Art Guild of Orange Park, in partnership with the Clay County Board of Commissioners’ Tourism and Film Division, is proud to announce our exhibit, “Take Me There,” at the Jacksonville Airport. The beautiful works of art are displayed and sold in the Sky Gallery and the four cases at the A and C Departure Gates.

The tourism department serves as the county’s official destination marketing and management organization. It markets the county’s area businesses to visitors and develops strategies and plans to grow the hospitality/tourism industry’s success within our community. In 2021, tourism provided Clay County residents with nearly $300 in tax savings.

“The invitation to participate in the Jacksonville International Airport’s gallery program was another step of progress in accomplishing some of the goals set for the Arts & Culture initiative in our Clay County Tourism Strategic Plan,” said TDC Chairman and Commissioner Mike Cella. “The Art Guild of Orange Park, our performing arts community and new dinner theater, history/heritage organizations and many other area businesses working together with the Tourism Department will develop new experiences for visitors and locals to enjoy.”

The Art Guild of Orange Park is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and there is no better place to celebrate their art and artists than at the Jacksonville International Airport.

The Art Guild’s mission is to be an integral part of our larger community, offering the public our passion, hearts, and works. Since 1973, the Art Guild has been about more than just taking care of its artists, but sharing art, engaging in community service, and informing the public about arts and culture. In addition to volunteering in our community, the guild has worked to ensure that we provide arts education and support to our member artists, including supporting emerging artists through mentorship and our scholarship program.

“We are honored to exhibit at JIA and share our art with world travelers. We hope the art exhibits serve to share the incredible talent in the northeast Florida area,” said Art Guild Exhibit Chair Kathy Plante. “We are excited to provide a place for travelers to take a break from their travels and enjoy our art.”

JIA is well known for its generous spaces dedicated to visual arts, and it is a real treat for the Art Guild to have the artwork in those spaces. The airport just completed its second busiest year, with more than 200,000 people coming through the airport on average each month. This year with increased traffic, the guild’s six artwork locations offer a visual respite from the demands of travel and an opportunity for travelers to purchase unique works of art.

Jen Cook, JAA Arts and Culture Program Manager, said, “JAA is pleased to host non-profit and education-based community organizations for six-month exhibits in our JAX Sky Gallery. Clay County (Explore Clay and AGOP) will exhibit in this showcase from July 24 – Dec. 31, 2023. JAA is especially delighted to be able to display 77 paintings reflective of the life and the landscapes of the region Jacksonville serves.

In addition, AGOP will have displays in Concourse Cases A & C from July 31 to Oct. 1, 2023.”

The Skyway Gallery includes a large Clay County map erected by the county tourism division, upon which the Art Guild has indicated the location of art in public spaces. The Art Guild has undertaken such projects as the Town of Orange Park’s water tank mural, utility box wraps, crosswalk project and three murals in Green Cove Springs.

“The Sky Gallery and the Concourse cases are a unique and exceptional design project for the guild, allowing us to share and sell our artwork and introduce our community service projects to the visitors at the JIA. We hope that you will stop to visit the five Clay County art spaces when you pass through the airport, whether traveling or picking up travelers.”

Clay County Tourism is planning a Sky Gallery Open House/Dedication for “Take Me There” later this summer. In addition to the JIA Exhibit, the Guild invites residents to attend their “Putting on the Glitz” Gala at the Hilltop Restaurant on Friday, Sept. 22 and at its Art Studio Tour on Oct. 28.

More information and tickets are available on the Art Guild of Orange Park website at artguildoforangepark.org.