GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Returning to the walls of the Clay County Courthouse for the second consecutive year is the amazing artwork of the First Coast Plein Air Painters.

Visitors can enjoy a gallery wall filled with colorful outdoor-themed art that prompts viewers to relax at a nearby shoreline or shaded park. The exhibit will remain on display through Aug. 21.

The Art in the Courthouse program is a partnership involving the Clerk/Comptroller’s Office, Clay County judiciary, county officials, local art groups, civic organizations, the school system and more.

While done at other courthouses around our state and country, this program is a first for our courthouse, one that provides a permanent space for continuous display of community art that enriches all who visit.

Displays rotate through the gallery every two-to-three months and expansion of display space is underway. The gallery is accessible whenever the courthouse is open, typically Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Artists from the following seven groups are featured in 2023: First Coast Quilters Guild, Art Guild of Orange Park, Clay County Fair Art Contest Winners, First Coast Plein Air Painters, Jacksonville Artists Guild, Courthouse Employees and Youth Art and Photography from the Augusta Savage Center.

“It is extremely impressive, and we appreciate the opportunity to have this very high level of artistic talent displayed again and encourage everyone to stop by to view it,” Clerk of Court and Comptroller Tara Green said.

Show No. 8, Ship to Shore, was expertly curated by FCPAP Show and Exhibit Director Carron Wedlund.

To learn more about FCPAP, their member artists, or about purchasing any of the artwork currently on display, please email Wedlund at wedlund1@bellsouth.net.