The city of Gainesville will host the Summer (You)th Celebration! Arts, Culture and Health Day with community partners this Saturday, July 27. The free event is part of One Nation One Project GNV, a local wellness initiative aiming to increase youth engagement in arts and culture while reducing gun violence in the community.
This celebration is the final One Nation One Project GNV production as part of the National League of Cities’ campaign known as Arts For EveryBody. Communities across the country will gather at events showcasing how arts participation is good for the health of individuals and communities.
The two-part celebration in Gainesville will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center (837 SE 7 Ave.) and from 6 to 10 p.m. at Depot Park (874 SE 4 St.).
“Our mission is to teach all those who are willing to learn about the history of people with African descent,” said Vivian Filer, founder of the Cotton Club Museum. “We know we all have a lot to learn.”
The afternoon program at the Cotton Club Museum will feature art exhibits from Gainesville artist Yvonne Ferguson, and screenings from filmmakers Shareen Baptiste, MyQueal Lewis and Gabrielle Byam.
Ferguson’s paintings of prominent African American artists and leaders such as Harriett Tubman, James Baldwin and Marvin Gaye are on display at the Cotton Club Museum. A mural by Ferguson featuring an image of Cotton Club founder Sarah McKnight also decorates the inside of the museum.
“This is the second time we have shown her work and it’s just outstanding,” said Filer of Ferguson’s art. “She has done things in other places that she has won awards for and she loves us. I said ‘you’re gonna be real famous one day and just remember you started here,’ and she said ‘yes ma’am, this will always be my home stage.”
In the evening at Depot Park on Saturday, UF Health Shands Arts in Medicine will lead the unveiling of “HeART Wall: A Love Letter to Gainesville from Gainesville,” a 208-foot-long art installation with more than 2,000 mosaic hearts created by the community.
The evening session will also feature reflections by TV, film and Broadway star Wendell Pierce and announce the performers receiving an all-expense-paid trip to New York City to compete on Amateur Night at the Apollo.
There will also be musical performances by American Idol and The Voice’s Wé Ani, as well as Golden Buzzer winner Pranysqa Mishra and the Star Center Youth Theatre.
“We’re very proud to be a part of Gainesville, its historic picture, and its art scene,” said Filer.