Celebrate the healing power of the arts at the summer celebration

Published on July 23, 2024

The City of Gainesville, together with community partners, is hosting the Summer (You)th Celebration! Arts, Culture & Health Day this Saturday, as part of One Nation One Project GNV (ONOP GNV), the local wellness initiative to increase youth engagement in arts and culture, and reduce gun violence in the community.

Saturday, July 27

When/where: 1-4 p.m., Cotton Club Museum & Cultural Center (837 SE Seventh Ave.)

When/where: 6-10 p.m., Depot Park (874 SE Fourth St.)

The two-part event is free and open to the public at each location. 

The afternoon program at the Cotton Club features:

• art exhibits, film screenings and fun
• curator and artist, Yvonne Ferguson, and filmmakers Shareen Baptiste, MyQueal Lewis and Gabrielle Byam.

The evening program at Depot Park includes:

• unveiling of the "HeART Wall: A Love Letter to Gainesville from Gainesville," a 208-ft-long art installation, led by UF Health Shands Arts in Medicine, that features more than 2,000 mosaic hearts created in the community, by the community.
• reflections by TV, film and Broadway star Wendell Pierce.
• announcement (of the recent talent search’s) of the top two acts whose performers will receive an all-expense-paid trip to New York City to compete on Amateur Night at the Apollo, America’s longest running talent show, produced by Marion J. Caffey.
• special musical performances by Wé Ani (American Idol, The Voice), Pranysqa Mishra (recent Golden Buzzer winner) and the Star Center Youth Theatre.     

This celebration is the final ONOP GNV production as part of the National League of Cities’ campaign known as Arts For EveryBody. On Saturday, in communities across the country, thousands will gather at events to spotlight arts participation is good for the health of individuals and communities. 

For more information, email ONOP_GNV@GainesvilleFL.gov.