Blake Harrison is a 55-year-old artist known for his murals in and around Gainesville. Like Tom Petty, Harrison has embedded himself in Gainesville’s culture. Harrison moved to Gainesville in the early ‘70s, and he fell in love with the rugged hippy community. Despite the harsh financial climate for artists in Gainesville, Harrison loves Gainesville’s people and its physical space. Instead of worrying about notoriety, Harrison is satisfied with working in his remote studio in Micanopy, Florida, where he creates work that he hopes makes the surrounding community a happier, more loving place.
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Gators win national championship
Apr. 8Beer, firecrackers and chants of “it’s great to be a Florida Gator” were flung in the air as the Gators won the national championship, quickly prompting spectators to jump out of their chairs and over the fence onto Second Avenue.
Final Four: How Gainesville celebrated its victory
Apr. 7When UF’s Final Four matchup against the Auburn Tigers ended in triumph, Gainesville roared. Students stormed the streets. Bar floors shook. Fireworks exploded. The Gators had just advanced to their first National Championship since 2007. Take a look at how the city celebrated.
Remembering UF student Nyla Holland
Mar. 10Holland, a UF animal sciences sophomore, died in Gainesville March 2. She was 20 years old. Family and friends remember Holland as a resilient, energetic and loving jack-of-all-trades.
