MOCA Studio Practice: Mixed Media Collage with UNF AIR Austin Lightholder

Participants in this workshop will work with MOCA's current Student Artist-in-Residence, Austin Lightholder, to learn about his unique collage techniques. The workshop will include instructions in simple media layering, including custom paper cutouts, photography, and incorporating paint, oil marker, and other media.

Austin Lightholder is a senior at the University of North Florida working towards a Bachelor of Fine Arts. He works across acrylic painting, collage, photography, charcoal drawing, and plaster sculpture and likes to explore all three dimensions in his work, both wall and floor-based. His practice centers on themes of transformation, passion, and raw emotional expression. Informed by his neurodivergent perspective, he approaches the world with a unique sensitivity to pattern, contrast, and emotional nuance. His work often resists fixed meaning, favoring layered compositions that seek to invite viewers into evolving states of thought and feeling.

During his residency at MOCA, he will create a body of work under the theme Alchemy of Perception—an exploration of transformation as both an inward experience and outward gesture. Through this, he seeks to confront and communicate the beauty and volatility of change, producing artworks that both absorb and express the energy of becoming. The exhibition will take place from January 17 through May 17, 2026.

Studio Practice is a monthly series of hands-on, practical art classes where students of all levels learn to create in varying media with the instruction of a local artist. Open to adults and teens in the company of an adult.

MOCA Members $10* | UNF Students, Faculty, and Staff $10 | Non-Members $20Supplies are included

If you would like to claim the MOCA Member discount, and additional perks such as complimentary parking and invites to exclusive events, !

*The MOCA Member price does not include NARM and SEMC reciprocal members. Reciprocal members receive free general admission at MOCA Jacksonville.

Questions? Contact [email protected] and to get in contact with someone the day of the event, please reach out to MOCA Guest Relations at 904-366-6911.

SPACE IS LIMITED. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

ABOUT AUSTIN LIGHTHOLDER

Austin Lightholder is a senior at the University of North Florida working towards a Bachelor of Fine Arts. He works across acrylic painting, collage, photography, charcoal drawing, and plaster sculpture and likes to explore all three dimensions in his work, both wall and floor-based. His practice centers on themes of transformation, passion, and raw emotional expression. Informed by his neurodivergent perspective, he approaches the world with a unique sensitivity to pattern, contrast, and emotional nuance. His work often resists fixed meaning, favoring layered compositions that seek to invite viewers into evolving states of thought and feeling.During his residency at MOCA, he will create a body of work under the theme Alchemy of Perception—an exploration of transformation as both an inward experience and outward gesture. Through this, he seeks to confront and communicate the beauty and volatility of change, producing artworks that both absorb and express the energy of becoming. The exhibition will take place from January 17 through May 17, 2026.

Visit Austin's Instagram to view some of his previous work.

About MOCA

The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville (MOCA) is the only museum in Northeast Florida dedicated to contemporary art. MOCA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a Cultural Institute of the University of North Florida. The museum serves the community and its visitors through exhibitions, collections, educational programs, and publications designed to enhance an understanding and appreciation of contemporary art with particular emphasis on works created from 1960 to the present.

Located in the heart of historic Downtown Jacksonville, MOCA is one of the city’s most significant cultural assets. Among the most prominent contemporary art museums in the Southeast, MOCA’s exhibitions and programs set the pace for arts and art-integrated programming on a regional and national stage. Renowned in this community, MOCA casts the spotlight on Jacksonville as a burgeoning, vital arts destination.

The museum is also a cornerstone of Jacksonville’s multibillion-dollar downtown revitalization plan with exhibitions and programs that bring new visitors to the civic core during the day, at night, and on weekends.

MOCA JACKSONVILLE PROGRAM CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY

At MOCA Jacksonville, we understand that plans can change. We strive to accommodate the needs of our guests while ensuring that our events and programs continue to run smoothly for everyone involved.

Cancellation by the Guest:

• More than 2 days before the program: Full refund available minus Eventbrite ticketing fee.

• 1-2 days before the program: Refund requests must be sent to museum contact.

• Less than 24 hours before the program: Refunds are not available.

Rescheduling:

• Guests may request to be rescheduled to a later program, subject to availability, with no penalty if done more than 2 days in advance of their program.

Cancellation by MOCA Jacksonville:

• MOCA Jacksonville reserves the right to cancel any event due to unforeseen circumstances or events beyond our control. In such cases, a full refund or rescheduling option will be offered.

Notification:

• All cancellations or rescheduling requests must be made in writing to our Education Department at [email protected]. Please include your event details and contact information for prompt processing.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with our cancellation policy. Our goal is to provide a seamless experience for all our guests and patrons.

MOCA JACKSONVILLE MEMBERSHIP TICKET POLICY

Ticket Allocation:

• Individual Members: Individual members are entitled to reserve or purchase one (1) member ticket for each event or program in which a member level ticket is offered.

• Dual Members and above: Dual level memberships and above are entitled to reserve or purchase two (2) member tickets per event for each event or program in which a member level ticket is offered.

• Avant Garde Circle Members and above: Members at this level and above are entitled two (2) free tickets to one program of their choice per year. Contact Development at [email protected] to reserve.

Membership Level Association

• Your membership level is directly associated with your ticket privileges. We encourage you to explore the various levels of membership to find the one that best suits your cultural interests and event attendance desires.

• Donor Circle Members may request additional event and program tickets by contacting the Development Department at [email protected].

• Your membership number may be required to complete certain reservations. This can be found printed on your membership card. Please contact [email protected] if you need assistance locating your membership number.

Policy Adherence:

• We kindly ask that all members adhere to the ticket allocation policy. This ensures fairness and opportunity for all members to participate in our exclusive events.

Ticket Transfer:

• Tickets are non-transferable and are intended for use by the member(s) registered under the membership account. Identification may be required at the event entrance to match our membership records.

Enjoyment for All:

• Our policy is designed to maximize enjoyment for all our members. We believe in the power of art to connect, inspire, and engage our community.

We thank you for your understanding and for being an integral part of MOCA Jacksonville. Your support as a member allows us to continue offering a diverse range of events and programs.

Please feel free to reach out to our membership services team at [email protected] if you have any questions or need further clarification on your membership benefits.

Host or Publisher MOCA Jacksonville