​The Happy Medium Books Cafe

"Our Home" Art Exhibition...

"The Happy Medium" Art Exhibition

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​Exhibitions Dates: March 5th - May 26th, 2024. at the Happy Medium Books Cafe, 2724 Park St, Riverside.
Three Artist Exhibits: 
  • “The True Nature of Things” in the Kid’s Area by Leila Griffith
  • “Postcards from Home” in the Cafe by Lisa Lofton
  • “Ortega River- Sunrise to Sunset” in the Cafe by Peggy Harrell Jennings
Reception Details:  Apr 7th, 2-4 P.M. 
Come join local artists Leila Griffith, Lisa Lofton and Peggy Harrell Jennings for art about our home city and state. 

 Online Gallery Exhibits On Display

Click on any item below to find out more about it. All pieces are for sale online UNDER SHOP.

"The True Nature of Things" by Leila Griffith

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"Ortega River- Sunrise to Sunset”  by Peggy Harrell Jennings


"Postcards from Home”  by Lisa Lofton

About the Artists

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​ARTIST: LEILA GRIFFITH
Raised in Georgia by a well-known Golden Isles artist mother, I studied painting most of my young life and ultimately pursued a visual arts degree at Georgia State University. After college, fate had a different plan for me and I embarked on a career in catalog merchandising and product development. I traveled the globe exploring wholesale trade shows, artists’ studios, rural warehouses, antique markets, and art museums and markets to source and develop the most appropriate products for the discriminating direct mail audience. I designed, merchandised, staffed, and managed the gallery shop at the new The Bascom, A Center for the Visual Arts, in Highlands, NC. When recovering from several serious health issues, and the need to lighten my mood, family, and friends encouraged me to rediscover my inner creative voice – and I have found my new passion. My work reflects my love of flora, fauna, and nature, and my world travels, and I am inspired by color and all things living.         
​ARTIST: PEGGY HARRELL JENNINGS
 is a visual artist/writer from Jacksonville, Florida who works primarily in oils and acrylics. She has taught art in Clay and Duval County public and private schools, the Jacksonville Art Museum (now MOCA), MOSH and numerous other venues and exhibited locally with TAC, JAG and Orange Park Art Guild. She has been an exhibiting member of Jacksonville Watercolor Society, Jacksonville Weaver’s Guild, Crown Craftsmen and National Art Education Association.

​Harrell Jennings has been creating art and writing since childhood. She earned degrees in English and minors in Psychology, Philosophy (University of West Georgia) as well as a minor in art from Reinhardt College and completed her degrees in Fine Art and Applied Art at University of Southwestern Louisiana. 
She continued with post graduate studies in fine art, art history and art education at University of North Florida.
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Besides teaching visual art, classical ballet and Language Arts to all grades and ages from pre-k through adults, she has worked in advertising, is a costume, set and prop designer for theater productions and ballets and choreographs for The Jacksonville Concert Ballet Company. She illustrates her published children’s books as well including the latest – Ginny’s Journey – written in rhyming couplets. The book pairs educational information about Jacksonville’s historic districts with humor as a giant guinea pig navigates her way to MOSH, the Cummer Gallery and other well-known sites.
ARTIST: LISA LOFTON
I began drawing and painting with my mother while I was still in the single digits of my existence.  I studied Architecture at the University of Florida but ended up working in computer technologies for the better part of my professional life, 12 years of which was spent as a graphic designer and marketing manager for a European Linen retailer. 
 
In late 2018 I decided to leave the conventional workforce behind and pursue my want to create.   I still enjoy contract web and graphic design but, painting and drawing are my heart’s desire.   I am a member of the Art League of Jacksonville, the Vice President of the Jacksonville Artists Guild, and the Vice President of the Art Center Cooperative, Inc.   
I am a 2-D Artist who works primarily with acrylic on canvas.  I also use a variety of mixed media.  My current works depict Jacksonville and Florida as a whole.  My paintings are influenced by the architecture, people, landscape, and industry of my city and state.  My bright illustrative style invites an emotional connection to a time and place.  I enjoy the combination of bright acrylic colors, washes, charcoal and ink.  I am currently working on a Series titled, “Vintage Florida” which was inspired by a diner placemat depiction of Florida.