Category: Education

Beyond Van Gogh

Debbie Roney Smith on

The Immersive Art Space in Jacksonville is hosting a temporary Beyond Van Gogh experience until November 27th. The exhibit offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the work of Van Gogh. Over 300 works of art are projected in more than 4 trillion pixels over 30,000 square feet of exhibit space from the floors to the ceilings. The projections are not simple renderings but flexible and living; they morph in conjunction with a soundtrack available on Spotify. The exhibit also shows a half-hour film that traces Van Gogh’s life through his paintings.

Tickets must be purchased in advance on the event website (HERE) as ticket prices are affected by peak time, ticket packages, and more. 

Blueberry Workshop

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The Jackson County Extension Office is hosting a blueberry workshop this September. It will be held Thursday, September 29th at the ag center from 8am – noon. The workshop costs $10 per person; pre-registration is required. The workshop will feature several UF and FAMU specialists. They’ll cover soil preparation, soil health, insects, disease control, and more. There will also be updates about the emerging practice of growing blackberries in the Panhandle. 

If you can’t make the September class, it will be repeated on Tuesday, October 25th, at the Washington County Extension Office in Chipley. 

Guided Three Rivers State Park Hike

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The Jackson County Extension Office is hosting a guided walk at Three Rivers State Park this September 30th. The hike will begin at 8am and take participants along the Dry Creek Loop Trail. The trail is a distance of .60 miles and should be completed by 11am at the latest. The hike is rated as a beginner to moderate hike. The guide will talk about the terrain, habitat, flora, fauna, and more. 

The guided hike will cost $5 per person. The cost includes entry to the park itself, the guided tour, water, and snacks! It is recommended that participants bring reusable water bottles, bug spray, sunscreen, and anything else they’d need to remain comfortable in the Florida heat. 

Visit the Jackson County Extension Office at 2741 Penn Avenue, Suite 3, Marianna, FL or visit http://JacksonCountyFCS.eventbrite.com to register. If you have any questions, call the extension office at 850-482-9620.

Tri-County Plant Swap

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This Saturday, September 24th, is the first annual Tri-County Plant Swap. The event is free and open to the public; it will run from 11am – 1pm (EDT). The Plant Swap is a social for gardeners of all levels to come together and chat about plants, swap goods, and more! There will be bulbs, seeds, seedlings, plants, produce, gardening books, pots, and more to swap. If you want to participate, please remember to label all seeds, cuttings, and plants with the name (common and scientific preferred). Additionally, Pemberley Farm will have some of its homemade goods for sale. The event will be held at 1745 Ben Road in Chipley. Ben Road turns East off Highway 77 just South of Wausau. Visit the event Facebook page here to learn more and stay up-to-date with event announcements. 

Greenpeace Day

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Greenpeace Day has observed annually on September 15th to mark the founding anniversary of the famous international NGO. Greenpeace has evolved from a single organization to a network of organizations that crosses more than 55 countries on all inhabited continents. It is the world’s largest environmental organization starting with Greenpeace International and 26 largely autonomous regional offices. The day is also considered a celebration of environmental activism in general and is dedicated to bringing about a change in how humanity treats the environment. Celebrate this day by participating in peaceful protests to improve air quality, reduce dependency on fossil fuels, avoid excessive and unnecessary plastic usage, improve water quality, and more. 

Special Asian Art Exhibit

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The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens in Jacksonville is hosting a special exhibit displaying the diversity of Asian Art. Buddha and Shive, Lotus and Dragon is the culmination of John D. Rockefeller III’s collection. The collection features 67 masterpieces including sculptures, bronzes, and ceramics. The art spans the late 6th century BCE to the early 19th century; they come from Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tibet, and Vietnam. The collection is on loan from New York until September 18th. Learn more or buy tickets at the Museum website here. 

Jackson County Gardening Assistance

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There is going to be a series of talks held at the Jackson County Agriculture Center in Mariana (2741 Penn Avenue). This will be a huge benefit to gardeners in Jackson County who wish to grow their own food. The first focuses on Companion Planting and will be held Wednesday, September 14th from 10-11:30am. It will cost $5 per person. There is no pre-registration required. However, you can call to reserve a spot to guarantee your spot; call 850-482-9620 to get your name on the list.

The second class focuses on Fall Gardening. It will be held on Saturday, September 17th from 9am – noon. Participants will get to take home a variety of seeds. This class will cost $15 per person. 

The third class focuses on Garden to Table: Herbs. It will be held Tuesday, September 27th from 6-8pm. This event costs $15 per person. Participants will receive a small planter of herbs and a sample jar of dried herbs to take home. Additionally, they will have the change to taste several ways to use herbs in cooking during the class. 

Chipola College 75th Anniversary

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Chipola College is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year! Chipola is the third oldest college in Florida AND the third smallest. Many of those on campus believe its small size is one of the best things about the school as it allows the faculty to truly reach every student. President of Chipola College, Doctor Sarah Clemmons, says that one of the stand-out changes the college has experienced in its last 75 years is its name change: “When we began offering Bachelor’s Degrees, it offered such wonderful opportunities, especially for the students in our five-county service area,” Clemmons said.(1)

To honor their 75th year, Chipola leaders are focusing on celebrating with current and past students. Additionally, they are working to build stronger bonds with alumni. They want to help forge connections between alumni and their old classmates, as well as assist alumni looking to help mentor current students. 

Visit Chipola College’s website here to learn more!

Mushroom Plant Pal Class

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Gypsybeach Treasured Kreations is hosting a Mushroom Plant Pal class this month. It is a two-part class with the first portion taking place on August 18th and the second on August 25th. The first class will focus on clay sculpting while planting will take place during the second class. Both courses will be from 4-5 pm. The class is only $25 for both sessions! Class includes a planter and succulent. Call Kathie at (904) 451-3071 to pre-register and secure your spot. Learn more by visiting the Facebook event page here. 

Jackson County Turns 200

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Jackson County is turning 200, and the city is hosting a Bicentennial Celebration Festival on August 13th. The Festival will include food trucks, games, live music, a farmers’ market, history, inflatables, vendors, and more! Entry to the festival is free, as are the games. However, be sure to bring money for the food trucks, farmers’ market, and merchandise vendors. Parents, please note that some kid-friendly activities involve water – plan accordingly. For more info: email darbyshired@jacksoncountyfl.gov or contact the County Administration at (850) 482-9633.