St. Augustine Art Association: April 2013

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Viva Espana!

Viva Espana!

We had a wonderful celebration of Florida's Quincentennial at the St. Augustine Art Association last Thursday. Thank you to the many volunteers who made this evening so enjoyable and such a success. A special thank you to Nanette Phillips for her beautiful decorations!

In addition to enjoying the sounds and flavors of Spain during this festive evening, StAAA spotlighted "What Flows From Spain," a new installation by Cuban-American artist Elio Beltran. This exhibit has been extended through June 3.

Friday, April 12, 2013

What Flows From Spain

An Exhibit of Works by Elio Beltran, April 5 - June 3.

The St. Augustine Art Association is privileged to host an exhibit by Elio Beltran celebrating the 450^th anniversary of St. Augustine. Elio’s large scale works, in several different medium, can be found in the Marguerita Phillips now through April 28^th.

Born in 1929, Elio started to paint with oils at age twelve in his native Cuba after receiving drawing instructions from a distinguished art professor from San Alejandro School of Art in Havana.

Speaking about the works displayed in his current exhibit, Elio says, “I feel extremely privileged to participate with my works in the celebrations of the 500^th anniversary of the discovery of Florida and the 450^th commemoration of St. Augustine’s founding. It was a difficult process creating works that honor the memory of such important events and human beings. I drew inspiration from the sea and wind as the protagonists in the making of our history and in the making of these paintings. In doing so, this exhibition reflects what the waters brought to our shores and the bridge of culture that endures through generations. I believe these flowing waters manifested an inconceivable human development far beyond the motivations for wealth and power and the resulting connections will continue to evolve and endure in the most positive of human endevors.”