Art and Poetry Created by County Students on View  
Once a year, St. Johns County students participate in an art and poetry contest sponsored by Betty Griffin House to promote "A Day Without Violence."  The general public will have an opportunity to enjoy some of the entries submitted to the contest. This show will exhibit some of the top entries, spanning the last 14 years of the calendar contest.  
 Sponsored by the St. Johns Cultural Council, the show will be hung in the Rotunda Gallery of the St. Johns County Building from April 7th -23rd. Open to the public, the opening reception will be held Tuesday, April 7, from 8:15 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. and all are invited to enjoy refreshments, while viewing the show. Located at 500 San Sebastian View off of US1 North, the St. Johns County Administration Building is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. to the public.  
 For 14 years, Betty Griffin House has partnered with the St. Johns County Schools to hold the art and poetry contest, which focuses on peace in the home. From all the entries, 13 pieces of art and 12 poems are selected for their annual calendar known as “A Day Without Violence”, which is distributed to every classroom in St. Johns County and sold in the Betty Griffin stores to raise funds for the organization. Last year, over 600 art and 100 poetry entries were submitted by budding county artists and poets.   
 St. Johns Cultural Council’s mission is to promote and enhance the local arts, heritage and cultural programs throughout the county.  In pursuance of their role in promoting cultural activities throughout the county, the St. Johns Cultural Council sponsors multiple exhibits throughout the year, that are displayed in the Rotunda Gallery of the St. Johns Administration Building, with the opening receptions prior to the St. Johns County Commissioners meetings.    
 As a private, nonprofit agency, Betty Griffin House provides emergency shelter to abused women, men, and their minor children. Other support services available include a 24-hour crisis hotline, individual and group counseling, forensic / medical rape exams, and legal assistance.  Confidential individual and group counseling is available in all parts of St. Johns County. For more information about Betty Griffin House or to make a donation, visit www.bettygriffinhouse.org.  If you or someone you know is being abused, please call the Betty Griffin House crisis hotline at (904) 824-1555.