Unless you are into art, or visit downtown Jax a lot, you may not know, we have a contemporary art museum. MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) is associated with UNF, and located in a building next door to the downtown library. After a recent visit, we’d recommend that it’s really worth the stop.Â
MOCA has Ever Changing Exhibits
The exhibits at MOCA change regularly, and the 5th floor is where they feature artists in residence. So even if you haven’t been in a year or two ago since your last visit, I can say there is something new to see.Â
In May 2025, the artist in residence was a veteran turned art student who did some amazing things mixing pieces of various electronics or metal items with a few real skulls or parts into animals. Many of the pieces have a way they can move or be interactive which makes it even better (push a button and the rattle snake rattles or the bull skull blows smoke, all very cool). Seeing parts of an umbrella and microphone stand and microphone turned into a heron or using a real bull skull and horns, adding in camera lenses that turn red and a vape pen (no real vape smoke don’t worry) to blow smoke out of his nose. Part of a fishing rod turned spider or camera lenses, various metal and actual real bones to make a white-tailed deer, all of it was pretty awesome.Â
Experience Local Artists
The 3rd floor was a contemporary art show from current UNF art students that was beyond impressive. Just walking through and seeing all the creative ways they used various types of media or even trash was so interesting. The 2nd floor was many historic pieces from all over with the stories beside them about the artists (most from the early 1900s) was your classic art museum walk, but definitely beautiful.Â
One of the best parts about MOCA Jax is all the events and activities they host. Every Saturday is FREE for Vystar members. They host free movie nights, regular art classes for a small fee and of course a coffee shop in the lobby. They even have kid focused activities. Being next door to the library (with an amazing kids space if you haven’t visited), check out the MOCA page for kids HERE with ideas for games to play. They also include kid friendly descriptions of the types of art and of course their kid friendly rules (look with our eyes, not our hands). It’s easy to make a downtown visit into a day trip by visiting the library and MOCA and maybe even ending at Sweet Pete’s Candy Shop across the park.
Melody is a graduate of Jacksonville University. She married a Jax Beach resident, moved away for 12 years, then returned to the area in 2016. Together they have two girls. Melody works as owner/photographer of Melody Coarsey Photography, she loves yoga, family, traveling, dining with a view and the ocean.
