Throughout its 100 years, St. Augustine Art Association (STAAA) has thrived as an organization through deep community relationships built around the shared love of art. It is only fitting that its year-long centennial celebration culminates with an exhibit that is a tribute to the power of friendship.
“St. Augustine Sister Cities Exhibit” is a multimedia show that features two artists and longtime friends from Aviles, Spain, St. Augustine’s sister city for the past 100 years. The exhibit will be displayed at the St. Augustine Art Association, 22 Marine St., and online at staaa.org now through Dec. 29.
“We’re excited to celebrate two significant centennial milestones through art,” said association Executive Director Jennifer Flynt. “St. Augustine, Florida, and Aviles, Spain, have enjoyed 100 years of shared community. We’re thrilled to welcome two Aviles’ talented artists to our city for an exhibit based on that friendship.”
The “St. Augustine Sister Cities Exhibit” features the works of longtime friends Amado “Favila” González Hevia and Nardo Villaboy.
González Hevia is a renowned painter and sculptor whose works grace cities and public spaces worldwide. In 2015, he was commissioned to create a painting and statue of Pedro Menéndez by Don Felipe VI, King of Spain, to be gifted to the governor of Florida.
Villaboy is a professional photographer whose photos have graced the covers of international magazines and publications. He is the author and photographer of more than 30 books and contributed the photographs to 2016’s “St. Augustine-Aviles: A 90-Year History of Two Sister Cities.” Villaboy has exhibited his work throughout Spain and the United States.
“Sister Cities of St. Augustine (SASCA), in collaboration with STAAA, is honored to present their final project to the city, which is part of the 100-year celebration of friendship with Aviles, Spain,” said Cynthia Jean Watts, board member of SASCA. “A two-month exhibition at STAAA will feature two brilliantly talented Spanish artists.”
For information and exhibit updates, go to staaa.org/event/sister-cities-of-st-augustine.
The exhibit is sponsored in part by grants from the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, the St. Johns County Cultural Council, the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida and the Benjamin & Jean Troemel Arts Foundation.
