nov presentation 2026

MONDAY - nov 9th, 2026 5:00 PM 

Where:
​Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd
1100 Stockton Street - The Ballroom
Jacksonville, FL 32204

Artist Networking with Food & Drink
5:30 pm - 6:00 pm 
​
Artist Presentation with Q&A
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
​Please make sure to register by NOV 5th, 2026 at 5pm so we have an accurate count for refreshments and seating.   

Peggy will be giving us a look into the world of an author and illustrator. She has published multiple books and also reports for the Resident News Group. Find out about the many hats she wears; fine artist, illustrator, reporter, book author, researcher and more...

    Nov Presentation registration

Artisit / author bio
peggy harrell jennings

Florida native Peggy Harrell Jennings is an award-winning author and artist who works primarily in acrylic, oil, clay, and assemblage. She uses varied subject matter from historic places, buildings and nature for her art and writing. As a photojournalist/ columnist for the Resident Community Newspaper she covers art events in her column The ARTBEAT as well as contributing other articles. She has been published in various national magazines including the Pen Woman Magazine, Dance Magazine and contributes articles to the Jacksonville History Center.

Harrell Jennings holds degrees in Fine Art, Applied Art and Language Arts from Reinhardt University, University of West Georgia and pursued post graduate studies at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of North Florida and Jacksonville University. She is a board member of Jacksonville Artists Guild, the Jacksonville Concert Ballet Company, a member of the Orange Park Art Guild and Gallery, First Coast Plein Air Society, FAPA – Florida Artists and Poets Association, Jacksonville History Center, St. Augustine Historical Society, Florida Historical Society, The Mandarin Museum, the Cummer, MOCA, Dance Masters of America and participates in numerous juried art exhibits throughout the year and enjoys depicting her characters in educational venues such as Cora Crane on the Historical Society Evergreen Cemetery Tour, Sacagawea in classrooms and a Colonial Lady for book talks about the Revolutionary War. Author of three novels set-in modern-day St. Augustine, author/ illustrator of numerous children’s books including “Ginny: The World’s Largest Guinea Pig,” “Jete’ Ginny” and “Ginny’s Journey” the educational and amusing story of a giant guinea pig who wanders through the historic districts of Jacksonville, she has more ideas than time for her whimsical, educational children’s books.
​
She has a lifelong interest in Florida and local history. “Sacagawea: A Woman of the Shoshone Tribe,” which she wrote and illustrated, won a state award from the National League of American Women. Her latest historical book is “Rascals of the Revolution” about the revolutionary war in East Florida, Georgia and South Carolina and is available in museum stores around Florida and Georgia as well as online. She is currently working on illustrations and text for an historical novel about a local revolutionary war character, Daniel McGirtt, and has “Let
There Be Light” near completion – a book about the stained-glass windows in the historical churches of Jacksonville, Florida.or yourself!

A former public and private school teacher Harrell Jennings has taught visual art, language arts, classical ballet, modern dance and dramatics to all grade levels and competencies from Pre-K through adults and has enjoyed seeing her students go on to various successful artistic careers. She has been set, prop, costume designer, performer, dance instructor and choreographer for the Jacksonville Concert Ballet Company, The Florida Ballet and Community Nutcracker Ballet (as well as performing various roles in the ballet for over 25 years). Combining her artistic skills with creative writing, theater, her love of history, and an innate need to create has been her journey since childhood.
“I have always been an artist. I drew, painted, wrote stories and illustrated them from the time I could hold some clay or a pencil. I longed to be a dancer and singer – and I have been – I wanted to be a missionary – and through my choreography for liturgical groups and my work with NAMI as a counselor- I have been. I am a born teacher – I cannot bear to have some knowledge or information and not share it. If you live long enough and go where your heart leads, you can achieve your goals. Awards and recognition are always wonderful as recognition for your insight or hard work, but don’t focus too much on criticism or what anyone else thinks of what you do or how you do it. Just DO IT for yourself!”



​Peggy Harrell Jennings Latest Book: RASCALS OF THE REVOLUTION

​The American Revolution. Not just about tea and taxes! Complex and complicated issues including religious ideology - Anglican dedication and the establishment of the "Episcopacy," Tory respect of historical tradition and the sovereignty or divine right of the King, logical analysis that the colonial upstarts could not defeat Great Britain, monetary gain, and rewards from the Crown contributed to the degeneration of the colonies into a bloody and savage civil war. After brutal attacks and coercion by the Whigs, Liberty Boys, and rebels, many of those sympathetic to the Crown sought refuge in Canada, Great Britain, or migrated to St. Augustine, Florida, an important port for the British. The Continentals attempted numerous invasions of East Florida but were repulsed by the Florida Militia, East Florida Rangers, Native allies, and British regulars. The furthest southern battle of the war? Thomas Creek near Jacksonville, Florida which assured East Florida remained under British control until the end of the war.
A British observer stated, "In America, the distinction between Whigs and Tories prevails as much at present as ever it did in England. Every man who will not drink destruction to the king, is a Tory, and liable to tar and feathers." As the rebellion intensified throughout the colonies, the distinction between rebels and those loyal to the crown became hardened. Both loved their new country. Both loved liberty, but the Loyalists had faith in the British constitution and embraced reason instead of revolt. The Whigs used rhetoric of condemnation - "Join or Die" - propaganda, arbitrary decrees, and violent confrontations which escalated to personal revenge and recrimination on both sides in this brutal civil war where force compelled bitter obedience and compliance.
​
Two "rascals" dedicated to preventing the Continentals from overtaking Loyalist St. Augustine were Thomas Browne and Daniel McGirtt. Brutally mistreated by the Whig colonists, McGirtt and Browne were intent on defending St. Augustine, promoting the Loyalist cause, and seeking personal revenge. As present-day East Florida Ranger Captain Robert Samson stated, "If people lose their rights and freedoms, must they become "rascals" to regain them?"
You can get this book at Amazon: 
​Rascals of the Revolution: Jennings, Peggy Harrell: 9798369457511: Amazon.com: Books

​EVENT REGISTRATION QUESTIONS TO COOKIE DAVIS AT [email protected]
Besides teaching visual art, classical ballet and Language Arts to all grades and ages from pre-k through adults, she has worked in advertising, is a costume, set and prop designer for theater productions and ballets and choreographs for The Jacksonville Concert Ballet Company. She illustrates her published children’s books as well including the latest – Ginny’s Journey – written in rhyming couplets. The book pairs educational information about Jacksonville’s historic districts with humor as a giant guinea pig navigates her way to MOSH, the Cummer Gallery and other well known sites.

Harrell Jennings’ artwork is varied in that there is no specific theme, although birds became an obsession for a while. She is currently exploring visual interpretations of this disturbing time in history with drawings, paintings, collage, and the printed word.  ​

Renew your membership:

​Remember to renew your membership if you haven't done so.  We are continuing to line up some new and exciting exhibitions for the 2025/2026 season. Click the button below to go to the membership page and renew.