Although I’ve been absorbing all things Jacksonville for the past three years, there are many well-known places I have yet to discover. Cork Studios was one of them.

Sometimes my artsy friends would say, “You know Cork Studios…haven’t you been?”

I would reply: “I’ve never been inside; isn’t it somewhere near Murray Hill?”

My only recollection of Cork was a warehouse building covered in graffiti that I once snapped pictures of around the time I started posting on Explore Jacksonville. If artists actively used the space, I imagined the studios humble or empty.

I was relieved when I saw a flyer for the Corks Open Studios inside Cool Stuff Vintage, which happened to be an antique store right across the street from Cork Studios. At last, I could finally see firsthand what this art warehouse was all about.

A week later, and several hours late, I made my way to a garage door half opened. This was the entrance to Cork Studios. Upon crossing the threshold, I was shocked by the smooth interior walls featuring sophisticated, colorful art.

I entered a world I never knew existed in Jacksonville. Artists of all kinds displayed their works proudly in studios of all sizes. I saw fine art painters, watercolor experts, a photographer with a full-blown printing facility, a performing arts theater, graffiti artists, and a chill photography studio with a cozy couch and good lighting.

I observed several of my artist friends genuinely inspired by what they saw. I saw studio artists welcome new faces into the studios with excitement.

Spontaneous photo shoots erupted from casual chats, in-depth conversations lingered surrounded by provoking art pieces, and almost cold beers were shared.

Art was observing art; creatives were being creative. And many acquaintances were made.

If you’re looking for some inspiration or interested in meeting more creatives in the city, make a point to attend the next CORK OPEN STUDIOS in 2023.