Arts
St. Augustine Art Association Calls for Artists to Reflect on the Declaration of Independence
Since the early colonial period, when Europeans first began to explore the New World, North Florida has been a location where artists were sent to sketch, paint, and, through poetic prose, capture the
By Alicia Grove
Since the early colonial period, when Europeans first began to explore the New World, North Florida has been a location where artists were sent to sketch, paint, and, through poetic prose, capture the beautiful wild environment they were bearing witness to. While this history began long before Florida became part of the United States, it is an insightful feature of the history of art in America. Organizations, such as the St. Augustine Art Association (STAAA), one of the nation’s oldest art associations, have been dedicated to preserving and sharing local art for over 100 years.
With this year being the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, STAA has put out a call for submissions for its exhibit “When in the Course of Human Events.” This call asks artists to submit their work that reflects a perspective on the Declaration of Independence – exploring America’s most defining document as a whole through painting, sculpture, poetry, photography, and other mediums. It is all about looking beyond subject matter as a mere historical document and considering the philosophy embedded in the lines, grievances expressed through the word, and the evolution of the document; how it has shaped our societies and shifted with our moving society. Every piece is bound to reflect a different aspect due to one’s personal, local, and national standing.
Artists can submit up to two original 2D or 3D pieces. All who wish to submit their artwork are to complete the online form and upload a high-quality image of the piece by Monday, June 1st, and bring their artwork to the gallery on one of the receiving dates and times – Tuesday, June 2nd or Wednesday, June 3rd between 11:30am and 5:30pm. See the STAAA site for additional information on mediums to enter and presentation requirements. Judges will select which pieces to display in the exhibit, and the artist will be notified of their decision by phone. Each artist who is accepted will receive a prize, which will be presented to them during the First Friday Art Walk on June 5th at 7:00pm.