Celebrating History, Celebrating Art March 12-19
Press release from The Heart of High Springs
The Heart of High Springs, Inc., presents Celebrating History, Celebrating Art from Saturday, March 12 through March 19, 2022, at various venues throughout the downtown High Springs area.
On Saturday, March 12, 2022, from 1-4 p.m., “Celebrating High Springs History” will be held at High Springs City Hall, 23718 W US Hwy 27. The event will feature an exhibit of collected historic stories, free picture scanning, a presentation on the history of High Springs, art activities for all ages, and the launch of the new walking tour of existing High Springs murals.
• Exhibit: The Heart of High Springs’ historic content committee will exhibit of a sampling of collected stories.
• Free Picture Scanning: Those attending who may want to save their old pictures electronically may bring their old photos, and CRASH of Gainesville will provide free scans of original pictures (no larger than 5” x 7”) to be stored onto a personal storage device or downloadable via email.
• Presentation: History of High Springs 1800-1900 from 2-3 p.m. with “Railroad Bob” Watson; in 1800, the area was home to Native Americans because of what still attracts people here today, the pristine springs in the area. By 1884, High Springs was a rail center with its own hospital. 45-minute presentation with Q & A.
• Art Activities: Good News Arts will host a large-scale team painting for all ages (materials provided).
• Launch of Self-Guided Walking Tour of existing High Springs murals. Co-sponsored by Alachua County Tourist Development Council. Ongoing tour via Guidebycell; maps available at the Old School, online at heartofhighsprings.org and from area merchants.
From Sunday, March 13, through Friday, March 18, 2022, the Heart of High Springs’ exhibit of a sampling of collected stories will be at the public meeting room at the High Springs Branch Library, 23779 W US Hwy 27, during normal operating hours when room not in use.
On Sunday, March 13, at 4 p.m. and again on Wednesday, March 16, at 5 p.m., the organization will host A Conversation: Building Community Through Preservation of History. At this event, attendees can join Doug and Nora Hancock, father and daughter muralists, as well as Ross Ambrose, local business owner, elected official, and a founding board member of The Heart of High Springs, for a lively conversation about telling stories through art at the High Springs Branch Library’s public meeting room.
On Wednesday, March 16, 2022, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the organization will host High Springs History Trivia with local historian “Railroad Bob” Watson and MC Tyler Lynch returning for this special occasion to the High Springs Brewing Company, 18562 NW 237th St. The scheduled food truck for the evening is Filipino Flavors.
Saturday, March 19, 2022, as part of the seasonal monthly Art Walk, the organization will host two events at the High Springs New Century Woman’s Club, 23674 W US Hwy 27.
At 2 p.m., Public Art as Monuments to History, where local artists Jessica Caldas and Doug Hancock explain how communities have honored their ancestors using public art.
At 4 p.m., local artist Tina Corbett hosts Plein Air Art. Join Tina and other local artists from the annual Springs Plein Air and hear their stories of painting in the natural environment of High Springs and its surrounding waterfronts. Enjoy a visual and verbal presentation of how art has saved our past and protects our future with our natural landscapes, architecture, cultures, and religions preserved for centuries through art. Renowned Gainesville artist Eleanor Blair will do a demonstration during the event.
These events are sponsored by High Springs Brewing Company, Kelly Barber, Porta Serve, Tom and Linda Hewlett, Jim and Sally Wood, and Imperium Marketing Solutions and funded in part by Visit Gainesville, Alachua County.
The Heart of High Springs is a charitable organization that supports culture, economic growth and tourism by promoting artistic, cultural, economic, educational, historic and revitalization activities in the High Springs area. For more information, visit heartofhighsprings.org or facebook.com/theheartofhighsprings.
