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St. Augustine Arts Association

Making Art History:

St. Augustine Arts Association

Cody Thomas

ARE 6933: Art Ed Beyond School Walls

25 September 2022
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St. Augustine Arts Association
Abstract

The arts play a vital role within the community of St. Johns County, Florida. The St. Augustine

Arts Association (STAAA) is close to a century old, bringing art awareness to the community

through exhibitions, art walks, and art camps. Located in the epicenter of the Historic District of

the nation’s oldest city and a block away from the nation’s first road, the association serves as

the community cultural hub. It provides a gathering place for the community: locals and tourists

both.

Keywords: community, arts association, St. Augustine, inclusiveness, awareness

Word Count: 3,403

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St. Augustine Arts Association
Making Art History: St. Augustine Arts Association

As I walk to the St. Augustine Arts Association on a nice sunny morning, from the

gallery I work at a few blocks away, I look down Aviles Street on my right, the first and oldest

street in the country, and see that art is everywhere. Walls of mosaics from Spain, art galleries

and studios, photographers getting that perfect shot of the water, sail boats, and the Bridge of

Lions, plein-air painters, as well as historical monuments such as Pedro Menéndez de Avilés

who founded the settlement in 1565 (Kiger, 2020), I see how important art is to the community

here and how it is ever so thriving. Further down Marine Street, I find a peach-orange and white

building and two sculptures on both ends of the main entrance of the courtyard. I arrived at my

destination of the St. Augustine Arts Association (See Figure 1). I was greeted with a friendly

“Hello! Welcome!” from Jennifer Flynt, the association administrator, to discuss the history and

how this organization is a staple of the arts within the community.

Figure 1

St. Augustine Arts Association

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St. Augustine Arts Association
Note: Front main entrance of the St. Augustine Arts Association, located at 22 Marine Street, St.

Augustine, FL, 32083.

Main Idea

From local galleries to life-size murals, a community full of art is a community full of

culture. Arts in the community are an essential resource to help build stronger connections with

one another and to create a more substantial ‘self’ – emotionally and mentally. Galleries,

museums, associations, and organizations that focus on the arts give the community

opportunities to make art, display art, attend lectures and camps, and even purchase artwork. No

matter the individual and limitations – age, disabilities, even disorders, the St. Augustine Arts

Association has something for everyone.

History

Henry Flagler, a millionaire developer and Standard Oil co-founder, completed

building his luxury hotel, The Ponce de Leon Hotel, in 1888 – now Flagler College. Flagler

enticed artists from New England to paint in his opulent Hotel Ponce de Leon studio to be

enjoyed by his wealthy patrons (Kiger, 2020)(STAAA, 2022). As the hotel brought wealthy

people from the northeast in the early 1900s, Flagler envisioned the Spanish colony of St.

Augustine to have a bright arts scene just like Paris – “One good artist brings 10 more” (STAAA

Director, 2019). This brought awareness of art to the local population (STAAA Director, 2019).

The St. Augustine Arts Association came together in the early 1900s on the streets of downtown

St. Augustine. Groups of artists and writers met “by the big fireplace at the Hemingway House”

(STAAA Director, 2019) off Charlotte Street with the request to meet each week from Florida’s

first female editor in 1916, Nina Hawkins (STAAA Director, 2019). With her encouragement for

the artists, the association was first known as The Galleon Club, officially founded on January
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18th, 1924. Hawkins spent the following years promoting the group of artists through the local

newspaper, The Recorder; this led to the expansion of the arts within the community. With the

trial and tribulations of change and the direction of The Galleon, the artists wanted to establish a

more formal organization for artwork and adventures (STAAA Director, 2019).

By the 1920s, the art scene was as vibrant as ever. National and world events gripped the

economy; it was Flagler’s ad campaign “Like Panting in Europe” – without leaving the states –

that paved the way for artists and local businesses who drew flocks of artists to St. Augustine

(STAAA Director, 2019). After World War II, people began traveling again. The 1930s and

1940s saw prominent artists and members moving to St. Augustine from the northern states, such

as Nunzio Vayana, Edith Oliver, Louis Vogt, Bill Galpin, Tod Lindenmuth and his wife E.B.

Warren (STAAAA, 2022). With the help of one St. Augustine’s locals, it helped lay the

foundation for the art association to where it is present day.

Owners of the Marion Motor Lodge, located across the street from the now present St.

Augustine Arts Association, offered their piece of land that stretched three blocks for a

“ridiculous price”, states Katy Burtin (STAAA Director, 2019). Consisting of Charlotte’s Street,

Marine Street and Cadiz Street, the Muller-Uri family also offered a loan of just 1% interest. The

daughter, Hildergarde Muller-Uri voiced, “Now you’ve got to build a building because if you

don’t build this building now, you can never ever afford to build one (STAAA Director, 2019)

(STAAA, 2022).”

With the gracious gift of land, the St. Augustine Arts Association began building their art

community in the city's epicenter. In 1948, The Galleon club changed its name to the St.

Augustine Arts Association. Memberships and community interactions were at an all-time high

of over 500 members, moving from one location to another until the permanent building was
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St. Augustine Arts Association
ready for vacancy. A permanent site was imperative for this group as they have spent the last

twenty years renting spaces for exhibitions, even using residences. These rentals cost around

seventy-five cents a day and last two to three days. The main gallery of the present-day arts

association opened its doors in February of 1954 and continues to grow with members,

community engagement, and building space (STAAA Director, 2019)(STAAA, 2022). Grodach

(2022) states about community art spaces, “The social boundaries that define a public space have

implications for community development. Specific physical characteristics of streets and land

uses can bring together people engaged in a diversity of activities and interests at all hours of the

day and night. . . this in turn creates a safe and pleasurable environment through community

bonding and support local economic activity” (p. 477). To date, the St. Augustine Arts

Association is bonded together by 3,200 square feet of gallery space (STAAA, 2022).

Mission-Not-Impossible

The St. Augustine Arts Association consists of many team players. Administrator,

Jennifer Flynt, has worked for the arts association since 2016. Flynt’s position oversees all facets

of the organization, including exhibitions, programs, and the Permanent Collection. With a

degree in graphic design and a passion for art and history, her presents in the organization has

allowed the programs to flourish (STAAA, 2022). Flynt’s assistant, Bailey Poole, has a

background in museum studies and art history and has been with the arts association sine 2017

after graduation from Flagler College. Her career interests include, “Combining an appreciation

for art with a passion for people. Less than a year later, she officially joined the staff and made a

new home here at the Art Association” (STAAA, 2022). Poole’s tasks consist of directing

volunteers, managing memberships, and helps in overseeing the organization’s annual Festival of

Art (STAAA, 2022). Diane Bradley serves as the President of the Board of Directors. A retired
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art teacher of more than 30 years, she came to the art association in 2008 where she has

continued to serve as the president of the directors (STAAA, 2022)

Eleven people currently make up the frame of the Board of Directors house. Alongside

Diane Bradley as president, Eric Ravok serves as Vice President. Treasurer is Barbara Strauss,

and the secretary is Rita Urbanski. In charge of repairs and maintenance projects is Shaffer

Weeks as Director of Building Maintenance & Repairs. More individuals in the Board of

Directors consist of Kay Burtin, Judi Cowan, William Masson, Phil Tutchek, Thomas Wolf, and

Karen Zander (STAAA, 2022).

Those that oversee funding and investments consist of the Managers of the Planned

Giving Fund, Stefan Zander as Chairman, Barbara Strauss as Treasurer, Diane Bradley and

Jennifer Flynt as Advisors, with the assistance from Cary Cowan, Bob Kerr, and Amy Vo

(STAAA, 2022). Everyone plays an integral part in running a thriving arts organization. “To

date, the volunteer count has reached 150 people, if not more, throughout the year”, informs

Flynt during our interview.

Volunteers play an integral part in helping the art association run daily. Docents welcome

visitors as they enter the gallery and inform the visitors about the current exhibition on display.

While working alongside the staff, the Receiving Team Volunteers receive artwork for the

upcoming exhibitions. Some job duties consist of data entry, logging inventory on the works, and

ensuring all works are free of any damage and placed in a safe space. Once a new month

approaches, the Installation Team volunteers work with staff in various job duties. From taking

down previous artwork, putting up new artwork, moving furniture and pedestals, and mounting

the displays, “...This opportunity may be more labor-intensive than most, we wouldn’t be able to

do what we do without out installers!”, reads on the website (STAAA, 2022). During exhibitions
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St. Augustine Arts Association
and special events such as the First Friday Art Walks, volunteers check in artists, assist with

party planning and décor, and continue to assist in running the events as smoothly as possible

(STAAA, 2022).

The St. Augustine Arts Association also encourages student volunteers from high schools

and the local colleges to assist in helping the association create a “meaningful, hands-on

experience” (STAAA, 2022) for the art campers, taking down and setting up exhibitions, and

performing the same docent's duties.

Funding

With the city of St. Augustine having a rich history in arts, it is evident that the

community cares about art programs, whether it is in a K-12 classroom or outside of school

walls. Arts and creativity make societies stronger – “as individuals, families, communities, states

and as a country” (Lanzi, 2022, p. 59). They are the backbone of innovation, prosperity, and

thriving people and places. According to the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies

(NASAA), when funding is put into art and creativity there is a high-return investment that

benefits every individual in each city, town, and rural community nationwide (NASAA, 2020).

The state of Florida has recently doubled the funding for arts and cultural programs in a new

budget released June 8, 2022. Governor Ron DeSantis approved the disbursement of more than

$59 million for three grant categories. Last year, the funding was only $26.7 to be disbursed

(Handelman, 2022). “Arts and cultural organizations submit applications through a vetting and

ranking program and may receive up to $150,000 each. This year’s budget marks the first time

since 2014 that organizations will receive all the money for which they quality” states Jennifer

Jones, president and CEO of the Florida Cultural Alliance (Handelman, 2022).

Figure 2
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St. Augustine Arts Association
Donation from local business to the Arts Association

Note: Many annual events by the arts organization to raise money for the center. Image Source:
STAAA website.

The St. Augustine Arts Association is a non-profit organization that relies on the help of

the local community and state for fundings. During the interview with Flynt, she informed me

that a lot of research goes into grant research and writing. Flynt then added joyfully, “The money

is out there. We just have to do our part: take the time to research grants and other funding and

construct the perfect application! We have a great team that is part of that – Bailey and Diane,

along with myself spend many hours every other week-or-so compiling data, reports, and

essays.” In order to receive fundings, or continue, the applicant must provide in great detail the
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St. Augustine Arts Association
outcomes and missions of the organization for the community as well as how the funds that have

already been awarded been distributed.

Another source of funding comes from the generosity of the community, sponsors, and

vacationers of the city (See Figure 2). A major sponsor of the arts association is a local realty

company, 97Park, who appear in many of the art organizations social media posts discussing

local artists artwork and presenting prizes. By clicking a donation link on their website,

Facebook or Instagram, you can donate any domination to the St. Augustine Arts Association.

All money that is purchased in exhibitions and art shows is split – as the artist gets their cut and

the arts association gets theirs (STAAA, 2022).

Community and the St. Augustine Arts Association

The St. Augustine Arts Association has always encouraged the community to join artists

and create art ever since the start of the organization in 1924. With memberships for local artists

to engage in exhibitions, art camps for kids, textile art for the blind, the association makes all

community members welcome by inclusivity. The St. Augustine Arts Association’s mission state

is found on their website. Flynt also informed me of their mission statement verbatim during the

interview:

“We at the St. Augustine Art Association is dedicated to promoting artistic

excellence through exhibitions, art sales, educational programs, and outreach; to

fostering a creative and accessible environment for artists of all backgrounds and

skill levels; to guiding the advancement of art in partnership with the community;

and to preserving our rich artistic heritage.”

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St. Augustine Arts Association
The audience that engages with the arts association is a mixture of locals and tourists: all

ages, education backgrounds, disabilities, and more. Located in the historic district, let a lone in

the Nation’s Oldest City, tourist’s also play a big part in community engagement.

Programs & Exhibitions

The St. Augustine Arts Association offers many different events and activities for the

community. Starting with being a member of the organization, depending on if you are a student,

an individual, a family, or want to purchase a lifetime membership, these memberships last 12

months from the date joined and range from $25 (student), $60 (individual), $100 (family of two

adults and any children under 18), $250 (patron), or $1,000 one-time payment for a life

membership. Members can show their work in exhibitions, invitations to special events such as

lectures, and discounts on sales commissions, workshops, and Plein Air Paint Out fees (STAAA,

2022).

Art activities for the children and teens consist of two four-day programs during the

summer (See Figure 3). Non-members are allowed to participate in any camp or class as long as

the fee for the classes are paid. Each camp session is led by a different artist and/or art educator

that allows the students to engage in play with a variety of mediums and techniques to encourage

art appreciation and critical thinking. These classes are for children 6-12 years old. Middle and

High School students can participate in art shows as the arts association has partnered with the

St. Johns County School System to host student exhibitions. Students will not only be allowed to

participate in the exhibition displaying their best work but will also learn about gallery set up,

network with community members and artists, as well as build their resume and portfolio for

college (STAAA, 2022). Throughout the year, the arts association has art classes to relate to

special holidays, traditions, and movements.

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St. Augustine Arts Association
Figure 3

Triptych Images of Summer Camp for Kids

Note: Kids working on their self-portraits during summer camp. Image Source: STAAA
Website.

Adults can attend many different classes. Each Monday or every week, adults can take

part in figure drawing sessions. This is a non-instructional studio class, but assistance is there

when needed by engaging with other artists for feedback. The class focuses on gestures, short-

and long-term poses, and nudity. The adult art studios also offer a variety of subjects such as

painting workshops instructed by local and represented artists. One tradition that is popular is the

Plein Air events. Local artists working in many different mediums spend the day around historic

downtown painting and drawing interesting points of views. Plein Air painting has been revived

recently since the founding members worked in this method. By building a creative arts program,

a creative person is the result (See Figure 4). “To be able to look at the world with wonder and

awe, to be able to direct attention to the richest, most significant parts of the world, to ask the

most penetrating questions, to design the most significant symbols to represent the experience –

is the main work of a creative person” (London, 1993, p. 14). It continues to draw artists from

not just the city but around the country to participate in a historical art process.

Figure 4
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St. Augustine Arts Association
Triptych Images of History of Plein Air at Fort Matanzas

Note: Left image shows start of plein air paintings during the 1920s at Fort Matanzas. Center
image shows artists painting at Fort Matanzas in the 1950s. Right image shows a painter on top
of Fort Matanzas in 2022. Image Source: STAAA Website, STAA Facebook.

The art association has joined with other local artists, galleries, and museums and started

the Arts Walk where community members can walk the downtown area of the city visiting

numerous artists and art businesses. This event is the first Friday of each month throughout the

entire year. Ortiz & Chung (2011) state, “Partnerships with local community organizations is

essential if art education is to become part of a greater societal change, increase its social

recognition, and promote its unique creative role in public spaces” (p. 47). St. Augustine Arts

Association also works with community members for a one-of-a-kind experience in feeling art –

emotionally and physically.

Each year, since 2004, artists and students from the Florida Deaf and Blind Association

exhibit their work and encourage visitors to engage in each piece by touching. This draws in

many deaf and blind children and adults from not just the local community, but from across the

state to experience this one-of-a-kind opportunity in observations and through touch (STAAA,

2022)(Touch, 2022). Many blind individuals in the community get to engage in learning about

art and a feeling of being a part of the community by the arts organizations Braille Trail (See

Figure 5). Many pieces of work throughout the city have braille to allow individuals with vision

impairments to learn about the local art. Braille markers with tactile graphics, developed by the
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Saint Augustine Art Association, are located by numerous public statues throughout historic

district (Touch, 2022)(STAAA, 2022). These markers, along with the audio guide, form the

TOUCH Saint Augustine Braille Trail (Touch, 2022).

Figure 5

Blind students read markers in the city

Note: Two students reading about one of many art works and sculptures throughout the city as
part of the Braille Trail sponsored by the STAAA and Touch. Image Source: STAAA Website.

The St. Augustine Arts Association also works with local rehabilitation centers as well as

the local Flagler Hospital. In July of 2021, Flynt informed me, an exhibition the center had put

on by local veterans called Then & Now: 50 Years of Veteran Experiences. “One individual’s

piece was so moving. They documented their time as a prisoner of war from another country”,

Flynt says. “We have also worked with Flagler Hospital in the cancer treatment facility bringing

families together, get their mind in another place, and make art”, Flynt adds.

Conclusion: The Future

When I asked Flynt, “Where do you see the arts association in 10 years… in 25

years…?” She responded determinedly, “I see people in our community coming together even

more than they have. I see great opportunities on engagement with individuals and organizations
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that we have not had to opportunity to serve. I see more growth in the organization itself – with

members, exhibitions, and the space in general. We also want to engage and mix all mediums of

art – not just painting and drawing but more photography, graphics, ceramics, and so much

more!” I responded that now the only place they can build is up due to expansion on the entire

lot and with two parking lots and other businesses beside them. This is one issue that the

association has dealt with but will overcome this set back.

Public arts benefit the community. “When done well, it instills a sense of place, creates

local identity and places of celebration, cultural significance, and memory” (Lanzi, 2020, p. 67).

The St. Augustine Arts Association is a staple in the community that continues to share their love

for the arts with one another. A community’s purpose is to promote and support one another

while creating a sense of belonging. With the St. Augustine Arts Association’s many activities

and engagement they do just that by catering to all individuals through inclusivity. The city of St.

Augustine, Florida has a very rich history in art and with nearly 100 years of operations for the

arts association, I can only see the community coming closer and closer together each year.
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St. Augustine Arts Association
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107684/Hildegarde_Petronella_Bernhardina_Muller_Uri.aspx

Bradley, D. (2021). St augustine art association. Retrieved September 22, 2022, from

https://www.guidestar.org/profile/59-0719524

FCA. (2022, April). Florida Cultural Alliance. Retrieved September 13, 2022, from

https://flca.net/?page_id=19593

Grodach, C. (2010). Art Spaces, public space, and the link to community development.

Community Development Journal, 45(4), 474-493. doi:10.1093/cdj/bsp018

Handelamn, J. (2022, January 8). Florida doubles funding for arts and cultural programs in new

budget. Retrieved September 16, 2022, from

https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2022/06/08/florida-grants-59-million-arts-and-

culture-programs-and-projects/7532231001/

Henseler, C. (2020). Extraordinary Partnerships: How the Arts and Humanities are

Transforming America (pp. 51-71). Lever Press.

doi:https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.3998/mpub.11649046.7

Kiger, P. (2020, September 29). How St. Augustine became the first European settlement in

America. Retrieved September 22, 2022, from https://www.history.com/news/st-

augustine-first-american-settlement#:~:text=MPI%2FGetty%20Images-,St.,Men

%C3%A9ndez%20de%20Avil%C3%A9s%20in%20St.

Lanzi, C. (2022). Toward a new paradigm: Public art and placemaking in the twenty-first

century. In 2050916783 1421463096

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London, P. (1993, November 30). Step outside: Community-based art education. Retrieved

September 14, 2022, from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED398166

NASAA. (2020). Arts and creativity strengthen our nation: The core message [PDF].

Washington: National assembly of state arts agencies.

Ortiz, C., & Chung, S. K. (2011). Art education in action on the street. Art Education, 64(3), 46-

52. doi:10.1080/00043125.2011.11519128

STAAA (2022). St. augustine arts association. Retrieved September 11, 2022, from

https://www.staaa.org/

STAAA Director (Director). (2019, February 13). St. Augustine art association oral history

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v=_tIH-Eh_eCs

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Ulbricht, J. (2005). What is community-based art education? Art Education, 58(2), 6-12.

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