New experiences await at Gadsden Arts!

E-NEWS • MAY 2026

Headliners

Major Exhibitions
Public Opening – Generations: A Solo Exhibit by Julie Torres

Friday, May 15, 2026, from 5pm–7:30 pm, Members Free / Nonmembers $5

A Tallahassee native whose work now hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art is coming home. Experience Generations: A Solo Exhibit by Julie Torres, a powerful new exhibition by Julie Torres, a lawyer-turned-artist whose work bridges the worlds of law and art, offering a fresh and engaging exploration of freedom, justice, and civic life.

Meet the artist, enjoy refreshments, and hear from FSU College of Law Professor, Jacob Eisler, Ph.D., J.D.as he reflects on the enduring influence of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the role of democracy in our daily lives. It’s an opportunity to connect with the work, the ideas behind it, and the community around you.

Admission is free for Gadsden Arts members, children, and college students. Nonmember adults: $5

Support for this program is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, celebrating NEA America250: Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes.

Learn more

Things to do

Dine & Discover

History, Art, and Civic Life
Presentation by Tiffany Baker, Museum Director,
Florida Historic Capitol Museum
Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 12pm–1:30pm

Step into a lunchtime conversation where art meets the ideas that shape our daily lives. Join us for a Dine & Discover luncheon with Tiffany Baker, Museum Director of the Florida Historic Capitol Museum, as she shares how history and civic life connect in meaningful and accessible ways.

Paired with Generations: A Solo Exhibit by Julie Torres, this program invites fresh perspectives on democracy and the world around us.

Reservations are required and close Wednesday, June 17 at 5 pm.

Support for this program is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, celebrating NEA America250: Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes.

Reserve your seats

Artist Opportunities

38th Art in Gadsden – Applications close May 15, 2026!

Applications are now open for the 38th Art in Gadsden Juried Exhibition, inviting regional artists to share their work as part of this longstanding Gadsden Arts tradition. Eligible artists include current Gadsden Arts members living within

200 miles of Quincy and former Gadsden County residents.

Applications are due by May 15, 2026, at 5pm EDT.

Image: D. Arthur McBride, Against All Odds, 2023, oil on linen, Best of Show award winner, 37th Art in Gadsden Juried Exhibition

Apply today!

Youth & Family

A creative summer awaits!

Summer Art Camp is back at Gadsden Arts—bigger, brighter, and more creative than ever! Young artists ages 6–12 will dive into a world of painting, drawing, sculpture, and more, all in a fun and encouraging environment. Each week is packed with hands-on projects and fresh inspiration, guided by experienced instructors who make creativity come alive.

With support from our Art for Children & Youth program, tuition is only $40 per week for members and $50 for non-members. Sessions run throughout June and July, with limited space and scholarships available.

Art for Children & Youth programs are made possible by our Art for Children Donors, sponsors Patsy and Mark Bates, and Sunnyside Farm Management.

Learn more

Youth & Family

Free Family Saturdays

Spend your Saturday creating, exploring, and discovering together at Gadsden Arts! From 10am–4:30pm, families can enjoy an exciting day of hands-on art activities, interactive gallery experiences, and time to read and connect—free and open to all. From making art in our ArtZone to exploring the galleries through a visual treasure hunt, there’s something for all ages to enjoy.

Free Family Saturdays are presented by Centennial Bank, with support from the Jacarlene Foundation, and in partnership with the National Hookup of Black Women – Gadsden. All Art for Children & Youth programs are made possible by our Art for Children & Youth Donors, sponsors Patsy and Mark Bates and Sunnyside Farm Management.

Things to see

Jean Gard Fletcher Museum Shop

Mother’s Day gifts at Gadsden Arts

Find something thoughtful to brighten her day at the Jean Gard Fletcher Museum Shop. With a fresh selection of jewelry by Quincie Hamby, Constance Oehlert, and Camille Patton, it’s easy to discover a meaningful gift for the special woman in your life.

Each purchase supports local artists and makers, with new items to discover throughout the month. Gadsden Arts members receive 10% off museum shop purchases.

Explore Our Exhibitions

COMING SOON:
Generations

May 15–July 11, 2026

residual heat

On view through

June 13, 2026

Gadsden Arts Artist’s Guild

On view through

June 6, 2026

What’s happening!

Art for Children & Youth
You can create a brighter today and better tomorrow

Gadsden Arts Art for Children & Youth programs are more important than ever as arts programs in schools are cut. These programs bring cultural discovery, vitally important arts education, and creative growth to children, youth, and families from across our 12-county region – in the museum, in schools, and at home.

Every gift counts! $50 funds 7 Art @ Home Kits / $125 offers a full scholarship to Art Camp / $300 funds one day of Art in Schools / $1500 provides Field Trip transportation / $2,500 Art for Children & Youth Sponsorship helps fund these programs year-round

We are about halfway there! Any gift brings us closer to this year’s $225,000 fundraising goal to ensure that these programs continue, free of charge. Give online (below), or:

Mail your contribution: Gadsden Arts Art for Children, 13 N. Madison St., Quincy, FL 32351

If you are age 70 1/2+ and would like to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution, contact grace@gadsdenarts.org or call 850.627.5020 for details. Thank you.

Support Art for Children

Creative Futures Council

Thank you to our youth and partners!

The Creative Futures Council youth arts program has wrapped up another exciting year, hiring 19 students from 9 schools in our region to work with Gadsden Arts. During this year’s program, members discussed cutting-edge topics – learning about the lives and work of local to nationally known artists, exploring future careers in the arts, and discussing artificial intelligence within the arts. Our students’ compelling “Scenes of Us” January exhibition in the Newberry Gallery at Gadsden Arts provoked thought and garnered widespread praise from our visitors. We finished the year with a watercolor workshop taught by celebrated artist Eluster Richardson. Overall, these youth made great strides in their journeys toward a future with art.

Applications for the Creative Futures Council 2026-2027 open August 1.

Contact Kaiyla Thompson for more information – Kaiyla.Thompson@gadsdenarts.org or 850.627.5023.

All Art for Children & Youth programs are made possible by our Art for Children Donors, sponsor Sunnyside Farm Management, and funded in part by a grant awarded by the Community Foundation of North Florida. Free Family Saturdays are presented by Centennial Bank, with support from the Jacarlene Foundation, and in partnership with the National Hookup of Black Women – Gadsden.

Annual Meeting – Save the Date!

Members’ Happy Hour / Annual Meeting / Volunteer Celebration

Thursday, May 21, 2026, 5PM–6:30PM

Gadsden Arts Members are invited!

Join us to visit with one another and celebrate another year in the life of Gadsden Arts. We look forward to recognizing the volunteers who are so important in everything we do, and sharing some exciting news for the future!

No RSVP is needed – we look forward to seeing you here!

Annual Meeting

• Financial Reports FY 2025

• Thank you outgoing Board of Directors members

• Vote on incoming Board of Directors Members

• Celebrate our volunteers

• Share some exciting news

In the community

Celebrating the Arts in Downtown Historic Quincy, FL

This May, spend a full day immersed in art and music in Downtown Historic Quincy! Start at Gadsden Arts on May 15th for the public opening (members free) of Generations: A Solo Exhibit by Julie Torres, then carry the experience into the evening with Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at Quincy Music Theatre.

Make a day of it—begin with visual art, end with live music, add dinner at one of the fine restaurants on Quincy’s historic Courthouse Square, and experience the full spirit of Quincy’s vibrant arts community.

Learn More