By: Everney Benjamin

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Art is something that everyone experiences in everyday life and it is within everything that humans experience. There are many different forms as well, such as: virtual, architectural, and cinematic. In regard to painting and sculpting, there are many benefits for those who create it.  

Jenny Hager is a sculpture professor at the University of North Florida; as well as an experienced artist. She enjoys teaching college students about art and the importance of it through the medium. She gave insight as to why visual art is important.  

“I think visual art is at the core of what makes us human. It’s a way to communicate ideas to other people. It’s a way to work through your own issues through a creative process and it’s a way to heal,” she said. 

Professor Hager has learned a lot from being a teacher and one of those things is making sure future generationsdon’t lose sight of making art. Students are exposed to many benefits through this teaching as well.  

“They see it as a way to voice their opinions, as a way to heal themselves from life experiences, and it presents challenges that create good problem-solving skills,”—Professor Hager said.

In addition to sculpture, painting and drawing classes are being taught. Marisa Yow, a professor of painting and drawing, also teaches at the University of North Florida. She said that art is for all ages.  

“Everybody can benefit from studying and practicing art. It’s not just an art student; it is literally open to you or to me or to anyone interested in creating.” 

Some of the art students are hugely benefiting from taking art classes because they have found a way to express themselves and better manage their stress levels. 

“It’s such a good way to explore different emotions and how I’m feeling,” said Brooklyn Heywood.  

“It gives me a lot of peace and clarity within my mind and within the world around me,” said Trinity Cohen. 

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By: Jessica Lee

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Built on a classic bromance story, a local antique store expanded half of its space into a record shop that shares classic vinyl records with the Jacksonville community  

Castaways Vintage to Modern, once known primarily for its eclectic mix of antiques and vintage goods, has expanded its inventory to include a thriving record shop that occupies nearly half of the store. The business offers a wide range of items: vinyl records, art, furniture, crafts, gifts and a vintage boutique, while also providing booth rentals for local vendors to showcase rare and unique finds. 

The owner, Jason Roth, took on the business by happenstance one day in 2025. He was driving by Castaways when he noticed a storewide clearance sign out front and stopped in because he was worried one of his favorite places might be closing. Inside, he learned that the previous owner planned to retire and shut down the business.  

Since he took on the business, he revitalized the space by introducing new concepts while preserving its original charm. A key addition has been the record section, curated by David Luckin, a longtime music enthusiast with decades of experience in the vinyl industry. 

Luckin manages the record section with his expertise dating back 50 years to his first job buying and selling records for a local record shop in downtown Rochester. 

“50 years later, here I am doing the exact same thing…even selling some of the exact same records”—Luckin said.

David splits his time at Castaways with his job at WJCT News, where he hosts a weekly radio show that airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. On the show, he introduces a mix of downtempo, jazz, lo-fi, and much more.  

Together, David and Jason have worked to expand the record section to transform it for both collectors and casual listeners. With plans to expand into a café, Jason sees a bright future that welcomes community, storytelling, and good vibes. 

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By: Alyssa Bice

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Jacksonville is a community centered around the coastline. Beaches Go Green is a non-profit working to connect the community through raising environmental awareness and preservation by protecting our shores. When the organization first began, it primarily focused on plastic pollution, but the message wasn’t getting enough reach.   

“We decided to share why it’s so important,” said Morgan Eaton, Programs Director of Beaches Go Green.

“Personal health and planetary health are so connected. All these environmental toxins that we come in contact with every day are making such a huge impact on our bodies as well as the planet,”—Eaton said.   

The nonprofit organization often hosts panel discussions in partnership with other environmental organizations to raise awareness of ongoing environmental challenges and volunteer opportunities.   

“Our number one goal is to share awareness,” said Eaton. “Sharing our social media posts, by visiting our website, using the handouts or guides we offer, and coming to any of our free local events, is a great way to participate.” 

Beaches Go Green’s main focus is hosting community events to spread awareness and support the cleanup and preservation of wildlife and local biomes.  

“We are already seeing the long-term effects, with all of the plastic in the oceans and the microplastics that are taking over our lives and that are in everything,” said Shelby Berendt, Director of Community Outreach of Beaches Go Green. “If people aren’t aware of these things, they don’t know to reduce their use, [and] things will continue to get worse. Education is the most important thing in awareness, so people can make changes and protect themselves.” 

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