The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville has announced the winners of its first Jax Contemporary: MOCA Jacksonville Art Triennial, following a ceremony held during the Fall Arts Celebration on October 18, 2025. The exhibition featured 64 artists from Northeast Florida, with five selected for awards. The triennial aims to support and highlight contemporary art practices in the region, while also strengthening ties between the museum and local artists.
Erin Kendrick received the James W. Doyle Prize for Best in Show for her piece “Coyote,” which will be added to MOCA Jacksonville’s permanent collection. Kendrick is recognized for her color-rich portraiture that centers on the experiences of Black women and girls. Her work addresses themes such as space, selfhood, and safety.
“In her ongoing portrait series,” said Doherty, “Kendrick uses the literary device of fable to give expression to larger issues in our society and, by charging her colors, patterns, and postures with such expressionism, creates beautiful, vivid and arresting artworks.”
Kendrick described “Coyote” as capturing “the moment a child realizes the great American hero isn’t coming to save her… She understands now that survival is in her own hands. The layered, fractured color reflects both her innocence and the chaos she is enduring… Coyote is about resilience, reckoning, and the stories we tell children about safety and heroism—stories that, for too many, unravel far too soon.”
Second place went to Mico Fuentes for “Boiling Point,” a mixed-media work reflecting on local demonstrations against police brutality in June 2020. Rouse commented: “In his works, Mico Fuentes tackles serious topics in our society straight on, but in an unexpected manner… This is what he has done with Boiling Point, recording the historic demonstrations in our local San Marco neighborhood to protest police brutality and racial injustice in June of 2020.”
Russell Satterthwaite took third place with his photograph “Stumpy.” Rouse stated: “We have many artists in our community who celebrate the incredible nature of Northeast Florida through their art. Satterthwaite’s Stumpy, awash with golden notes, captures the stillness and beauty of a moment in that nature, as we also register the current peril of one of Florida’s most iconic trees.”
Ana Ion Leonte was awarded Visiting Curator’s Choice for “Stinger Mass.” Wilford remarked: “I was immediately impressed with Ana’s ceramic practice which was both bold and innovative… The result is a compelling sculpture that speaks to what I hope is just the beginning of a long and exciting career for her.”
The People’s Choice award went to Shaun Thurston for “Lotus Lesson.” A young visitor named Violet commented: “I love this painting! It inspires me. I like the pretty colors. I love all of the detail and that the middle stuff looks like crystals. And I really like the orb in the middle of the flower!”
Jax Contemporary: MOCA Jacksonville Art Triennial is presented by Dolf and Anna James. Artists were selected by MOCA curators along with guest curator Adeze Wilford from submissions across several counties including Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau Putnam, and St. Johns Counties.
When Jax Contemporary closes on November 9, 2025, Kendrick’s winning artwork will remain at MOCA for display through January 25, 2026.
MOCA Jacksonville operates under Arts UNF at University of North Florida since 2009. In 2025 it achieved accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums—a recognition granted to only three percent of U.S. museums.
MOCA Jacksonville is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering free admission during VyStar Free Saturdays and twice monthly Free Museum Nights presented by Florida Blue on first and third Wednesdays from 5–9 p.m. More information can be found at mocajacksonville.unf.edu.
