Welcome to our 89th Season!

A remodeled kitchen and gleaming gallery welcome you to a new season that offers artists plenty of opportunities to participate in an array of new and popular juried exhibitions. September opens with the Fall Members Show, followed by the annual Tactile Art Show for the blind in October, Viva Florida in December and the Big Red Art Show in February, among others. Prize awards for artistic excellence are given every month and art sales in the gallery have been outstanding.  Take advantage of the great exposure you'll gain by displaying your work in the St. Augustine Art Association.  Download the 2012-2013 Calendar here.  Receiving for the Fall Members Show takes place Sept. 4 & 5 at noon.

FLOR500 -  We encourage artists to create work for the statewide FLOR500 Participatory Art Project that commemorates the 500th Anniversary of Florida's founding in 2013.  Artists may select one of 500 wildflowers as inspiration for original artwork.  Digital images of the work will be incorporated into the state biology curriculum.  Selected originals will be displayed in a special FLOR500 exhibit at the St. Augustine Art Association in the fall of 2013.  The deadline to enter is coming up in October so don't delay.  Visit www.flor500.com for details. 

Walk in Peace Exhibit

Don Trousdell's "Walk in Peace" exhibit launched our 88th season this September. The collection of paintings, shoes, interactive installations and footprint factoids was a visual journey of the history and symbology of peace. Scores of visitors viewed the exhibit and enjoyed personal tours given by the artist, who was in the gallery daily. The exhibition is expected to travel worldwide spreading the message of peace. See Don's gallery tour of the exhibit on YouTube.

9/11 Tribute - Lending a Hand

First Responders lend an artistic hand during the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 Tribute & Day of Service. The firefighters were honored with a replica of the World Trade Center stained glass window created by Sister Diane Couture that was installed in St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York following the 9/11 tragedy.

Summer Art Camp 2011

Summer Art Camp culminated in a fun and entertaining Swamp Circus Puppet Show and art exhibit during the August Art Walk. The centerpiece of the installation was a collaborative "Young at Art Quilt" created by the children in the Color Patch Portraits camp and assembled by Mary Rhopa La Cierra, an award-winning fiber artist. Each student designed a patch depicting his or her favorite hobbies and activities. From tennis players and swimmers to flying kids and star gazers, the personal portraits are delightful works of fabric art. Also on display were bird kites, nest sculptures, mini-circus tents and a mural of our Ancient City of St. Augustine.

JEAN TROEMEL SPEARHEADS FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE

ENDOWMENT FUND CHALLENGE EXCEEDS GOAL!

Diane Bradley, St. Augustine Art Association President, and Bob Kerr, Art Association Endowment Fund Committee Chairman, accepted a $14,722 donation from Jean Wagner Troemel, following a three-month Endowment Fund Challenge that concluded June 30. Troemel matched $5,000 of the monies raised by more than 100 donors.

“There is no other place like the Art Association,” said Troemel. “We have to make sure it’s always here for artists and the community.” Troemel is an acclaimed artist and benefactor who established the Best in Show award given monthly to artists in St. Augustine Art Association juried exhibits. “Growing an endowment fund is essential for a non-profit,” said Kerr. “It ensures a sound financial footing to carry out the organization's mission well into the future.”

The St. Augustine Art Association was founded in 1924 to promote artistic excellence, foster appreciation of the arts and encourage community participation in the arts through education, exhibits and outreach. We are grateful to Jean Troemel and the generous donors who rose to the challenge!

2011 Judith Ryan Williams Nature & Wildlife Exhibit Top Winners

Congratulations to these artists for their outstanding achievements in artistic excellence. See the exhibit of over 120 works of art on display through August 28. Exhibit catalogs are available in the gallery and by calling 904.824.2310.

Diane Travis - First Place Award Winner

"'Pharoah' Lion" oil on canvas by

Diane Travis - First Place $2500 Prize

"New Beginnings" acrylic on canvas by

Kristin Hosbein - 2nd Place $1000 Prize

"Caring Mother" oil on linen by

Sergeui Orgounov - 3rd Place $500 Prize

Judith Ryan Williams NATURE & WILDLIFE EXHIBITION HONORABLE MENTION AWARD WINNERS

"Tributary" oil on canvas

by Sydney McKenna

"Polar Eclipse" alabaster sculpture

by Martin Gates

"Fall Home" crystal sculpture

by Donna Rice

"La Mascarade" bronze sculpture

by Pokey Park

Judith Ryan Williams NATURE & WILDLIFE EXHIBITION CERTIFICATE OF MERIT AWARD WINNERS

"Catch of the Day" gouache

by Charles Mooradian

"See No Evil" watercolor

by Don Taylor

"Unbridled Spirits: Storm Warning"

by Mindy Colton

2011 Annual Honors Show

Congratulations to the winning artists!

Diana Shepherd

Best in Show

Joan Dorrill

First Place

John Ropoolo

Second Place

Toni De Witt

Third Place

Gene Roberds

Emmett Fritz Award for

Best Oil Painting

Yolanda Bosworth

Ted Karam Award

for Best Sculpture

Holly Draper

Honorable Mention

Mary Rhopa La Cierra

Honorable Mention

Clyde Brady

Honorable Mention

JEAN WAGNER TROEMEL CELEBRATES 90TH BIRTHDAY

QUEEN FOR A DAY
Artist Jean Wagner Troemel celebrated her 90th birthday in royal fashion at the St. Augustine Art Association on May 4. She was greeted by scores of friends from the Council on Aging, the St. Augustine Historical Society, the Archaeology Association, the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum, the Memorial Lutheran Church, the Art Galleries of St. Augustine and others. Taking a cue from the royal wedding, party-goers donned outrageous hats to surprise Troemel, who arrived in a horse-drawn carriage after enjoying a scenic cruise along the bay front. The Ancient City Slickers entertained with foot-tapping music throughout the evening, and an artist palette cake by Amanda Cordes topped off the colorful affair. See more pictures on YouTube.

PORTRAITS GET A FACE LIFT

An Edna C. Lamson portrait of Frances Howatt, artist from St Augustine's 1950 art colony, was donated to the Art Association last year by Peggy Howatt, Frances' daughter. Although badly damaged, the Art Association agreed to receive it with the hope of restoring it. Thanks in part to a grant from the Florida Humanities Council, the portrait has been given a face lift! Take a look at the restoration process by Beverly Burgin, Conservator. Also included is the restoration of a portrait of Mrs. James Kaylor by Courtenay Hunt.

Jean Wagner Troemel Endowment Fund Challenge

A remarkable opportunity has been presented to the St. Augustine Art Association. For the next three months, Jean Wagner Troemel, artist and benefactor, will match dollar for dollar all donations up to $5,000 to the St. Augustine Art Association Endowment Fund. This Fund remains in tact in perpetuity, providing a revenue source for operations. Jean's generous offer will help put the Art Association on sound financial footing and will enable us to serve the community of artists today and those of the next generation. We urge you respond in a timely manner to this fundraising challenge. The deadline is June 30. Any dollar amount you give will help us reach the $5,000 goal, which, when matched, will add up to $10,000!

Please don't delay. Mail your donation check made payable to:
The St. Augustine Art Association Endowment Fund - Jean Troemel Challenge
22 Marine Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084

Thank you for your continued goodwill and support
DONATE ONLINE AT www.staaa.org.

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