Art In Public Places Gallery
LaVilla Braid
Ritz Theatre and LaVilla Museum
829 North Davis Street
LaVilla Braid (2007)
Susan Cooper (Englewood, Colo.)
Wall sculptures at State and Davis Streets: Painted aluminum
Window sculpture at Davis and Union Streets: LED light bars
Projected LED light installation on upper story
The original Ritz Theatre opened on September 25, 1929 and soon became an entertainment hub for Jacksonville’s African-American community, hosting artists such as Ella Fitzgerald and Cab Calloway. Closed in 1972, the Ritz reopened in 1999 as the home of musical performances, art exhibitions, and the LaVilla history museum. Susan Cooper’s three-part installation was inspired by the rich history of art, music, and film at the theatre. She uses light and color as her predominate artistic media. Eight aluminum wall-mounted sculptures depict abstractions of film, music, art, and water. (The water refers to the proximity of the St. John’s River.) Cooper was inspired by MaVynee Betsch, better known as the Beach Lady, who worked for over 30 years to preserve American Beach, the community founded by her great-grandfather, A.L. Lewis. Like Betsch’s complex hairstyle, Cooper braids metal, color, and light to reflect the “Beach Lady’s” intertwining of history, culture, and philosophy.