DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORS 12.26.12

By all accounts, the final meeting this year for the Flagler Model Land Neighborhood Association was deemed a success by all who attended.  Incorporating business, pleasure and a helping hand for the St Francis House pantry, neighbors enjoyed food, drink and good cheer.  The next meeting will be in the spring so be on the lookout for more details.

The 47^th Annual St Augustine Art & Craft Festival held over the Thanksgiving weekend  enjoyed perfect weather and large crowds both days.  Of the ten artistic achievement awards given out by the St Augustine Art Association, two went to local artists.  Our own Ken Barrett was honored with the Best Photography Award and Kathryn Carr received the Best 2D Award.  Sadly, Kathryn has since left St Augustine and returned to Pennsylvania, but you can still buy her amazing paper cut art and cards by visiting her at gocarrgo.com.  Congratulations to all the winners!

More congratulations are in order for James Bowen IV, son of Tammy Harrow of 26 Riberia Street.  Bowen recently graduated from the St Johns Police Academy and I’m told he may be the only downtown graduate of his group.  If you see Tammy tending her award winning garden, stop and say hello and be sure to wish James well as he embarks on his new career.

Hats off to Donna and Bob Stevens who were recently honored with the Richard Todd Award at the Archaeological Association’s annual Christmas party.  For 27 years they’ve been found at various downtown excavations interpreting the finds for the public.  Donna worked for over a year at the Historical Society Research Library reorganizing the papers of Jean Parker Waterbury, long-time editor of the society’s publications and Bob indexed all the back issues of El Escribano and The East Florida Gazette.  Throw in Bob’s service as President, Secretary, Treasurer and Board member of the St Augustine Archaeological Association, plus joint tours of the Oldest House and you still don’t have a complete resume of what they provide so generously to St Augustine.  A hearty bravo to Donna and Bob for their work!

Next Saturday, December 29^th, save time to walk up and down San Marco Avenue as the merchants and restaurants open their doors for the final Uptown Saturday Night of 2012.  Skip the crowds at the mall, the long lines, the incessant traffic and stroll through uptown checking out the great shops, galleries, boutiques and other interesting places.  Winners of the Uptown Lights contest will be announced at the awards ceremony being held at Leila Lohr’s “Etc. Furniture and Art.”  The awards start at 8pm at Leila’s shop at 81 San Marco Avenue.

While you’re enjoying the holiday decorations and the great spirit generated during Uptown Saturday Night, be sure to stop into Sofa Tucker’s and say hello to Angie Fay Ullman.  Angie combines form and function into the most incredible custom wood furniture, cabinetry and her specialty boxes and you’ll want to get something for yourself, so be prepared to treat yourself (and what better time than to celebrate the survival of the holiday season!).  Angie’s reception is from 5pm to 8pm and Sofa Tucker’s is located at 73 San Marco Avenue.  For a sneak preview you can visit angiefay.com.

If you’ve never been to the Uptown event or you haven’t been in a while, you really need to get yourself up there to see how been beautiful and exciting the “Avenue” has become.

Karen Sheridan invites you to the opening of the new season at Plum Gallery on Aviles Street.  The reception for the new show is January 4 during First Friday Art Walk and the opening festivities will include all the artists in the show.

The New Year line-up includes St Augustine native Theresa Segal whose photography is well known.  Segal both studied and taught at Flagler College and is a resident of Lincolnville.  Preferring to use traditional photographic processes, her perspective of landscapes, interiors and studies of light are evocative and compelling.

Barbara Cornett, BFA from Texas A&M University, begins her assemblages with finds from the trash pile.  Collecting objects of wood, fiber, plastic and rusted metal, she uncovers the inherent beauty in each and you’ll see for yourself in her figurative sculptures.

Deedra Ludwig uses several mediums in her layered paintings including oil, resin, dry pigments, soil and other non-traditional materials.  Reflecting her respect for the primordial world, much of her work has an environmental aspect to it.  She obtained her BFA from NYU and went on to earn her MFA from the University of Sussex in the UK.

Sara Pedigo will be showing new figurative works, adding to her numerous credits and recognition.  An assistant professor of painting at Flagler College, Pedigo’s work has been shown in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and she recently held a successful joint exhibit at the Crip-Ellert Art Museum here in St Augustine.

Thomas Long is known for his incredible glass works and with each day he continues to be innovative and progressive with his magnificent creations.

Carrying on a worldwide tradition of embellishing the natural shape and beauty of gourds, Mindy Hawkins utilizes dye, paint, carving, weaving, inlaying and burning and each piece is one of a kind.

An exciting show to kick off the new year – be sure to check it out at 9 Aviles Street.  Wear your walking shoes so you can take in all the great art around town.

Our friends at Romanza invite members and non-members to a special presentation by Jeremy Marquis of Marquis Halback, Inc (responsible for the beautiful renovation and transformation of Aviles Street).  The event will highlight his vision for Hypolita and Spanish Street as well as the entry corridors into St Augustine and you won’t want to miss it.  Being held at a great new restaurant in town, this will also be your chance to check out Jaybird’s Restaurant (unless you are already one of its many fans) at 2600 N Ponce de Leon Boulevard (just south of SR16 on the east side).  Starting at 5pm and running through 7pm, there will be a cash bar and no reservations are required.

2013 is just ahead and it will be a great year so long as we choose to make it one.  Best wishes to all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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