The Historic Thomas Center

11/13/2025

It was a pleasure to welcome Dr. Jacqui Micieli-Voutsinas, Co-Lead and the graduate students from the University of Florida Museum Studies Department.

Students were given a tour of our gallery exhibition of "Before Instragram: 30 Years of Printmaking by Joon Thomas followed by a tour of the Thomas Center museum with our docent, Bonnie Lykes. It was great day at the Thomas Center.

11/03/2025

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Charis Cochran

Born and raised in Gainesville, Florida, Charis Cochran is a senior at the University of Florida getting her BFA in Ceramics.

In her work, she likes to use ceramics and photography, often joining the two mediums together to talk about the human condition in relation to creating a sense of place and locality in our ever changing world.

Charis' work can be seen in our current exhibition, "Before Instagram: 30 years of Sweetwater Print Cooperative."

Photo by premission.

10/29/2025

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: The late Sue Jester presented by Joseph Jester

Sue Jester was a superlative printmaker and an imaginative and prolific artist and educator. Ms. Jester received her Bachelor of Science in Art Education from Brigham Young University and the University of Utah. She received her Masters of Education from the University of Florida and later her Masters of Fine Arts in Printmaking from the same university.

She was a retired professor of Santa Fe College, 1971-2005. She taught printmaking, art design, and art fundamentals. For several years in the late 80's, she served as Academic Chair for the Fine Arts and Humanities.

Mrs. Jester was a founding member and the first president of the Sweetwater Print Cooperative. We are pleased to have Ms. Jester’s work in our current exhibition "Before Instagram: 30 Years of Sweetwater Print Cooperative," and the continuation of her work by visual artist Joseph Jester.

Photo permission granted.

10/27/2025

Before Instagram: 30 Years of Sweetwater Print Cooperative now on display in our main gallery and the Doris Bardon Mezzanine features many wonderful local and regional artists. We would like to send a special thank you the Sweetwater Print Cooperative's President Charlotte Newman for making this exhibition a huge success.

Charlotte Newman is a conceptual artist, whose work has been featured around the country. While she doesn't have work in this current show, her passion still shines as she supports the Sweetwater artists.

Thank you Charlotte!

Photo permission granted.

10/14/2025

Artist Spotlight: Valerie Aslakson-Jennings

Valerie Aslakson-Jennings was born in San Jose, California, but has spent most of her life in Florida.

She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, with an emphasis is Drawing, from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky, and a Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking from The University of Florida. In her artwork, she employs a variety of materials and techniques, including oil and acrylic paints, pastels, collage, intaglio and monoprint. She has exhibited her work locally, nationally and internationally.

At Santa Fe College, she teaches Painting I, Drawing I, Two-Dimensional Design and Art Fundamentals.

The gallery is open to the public and there is no admission fee.
Brought to you by Sweetwater Print Co-operative and The City of Gainesville - Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (PRCA), The City of Gainesville and The Thomas Center Galleries.

Image: Your Move, Mixed Media Monoprint on Canvas

10/09/2025

Artist Spotlight: The late Professor Emeritus Ken Kerslake

We are honored to have in our current Before Instagram: 30th Anniversary Exhibition, Sweetwater Print Cooperative the works of Ken Kerslake

Ken Kerslake (1930–2007) was a printmaker and professor credited with being "one of a handful of printmaker-educators responsible for the growth of printmaking in the southeast in the years following World War II." Kerslake taught at the University of Florida in Gainesville, which gave him the title of Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus after his retirement.

The gallery is open to the public and there is no admission fee.

Brought to you by Sweetwater Print Co-operative and The City of Gainesville - Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (PRCA), The City of Gainesville and The Thomas Center Galleries.

10/09/2025

Thank you for all who attended the opening of Before Instagram: 30th Anniversary Exhibition, Sweetwater Print Cooperative.

Show runs through January 20th.

10/08/2025

So many wonderful artists featured in our current exhibition. Opening reception tonight, 7:00 pm. Free and open to public.

10/07/2025

10/06/2025

We are excited to welcome you to our newest exhibition and congratulations to Sweetwater Print Cooperative for 30 years of creating Art in downtown Gainesville.

Opening reception on Wednesday, October 8th, 7:00 pm. Free and open to the general public.

10/02/2025

Our newest exhibition features printing-making, artifacts and a series of community art-making workshops.

In our Doris Bardon Mezzanine Gallery features the Print Exchange curated by Lynn Webster.