Destination Art Association for First Friday Artwalk

Friday January 3rd opening reception for new exhibit, featuring Lisa O’Neil charcoal figure drawings.

FIGURE & PORTRAIT EXHIBITIONS BRING PERSONALITY TO ART ASSOCIATION

St. Augustine, FL (Dec. 20) – Artistic expressions of the human face and form are featured in the Annual Figure & Portrait Show at the St. Augustine Art Association, January 3 through February 2. The juried exhibition is made up of numerous works in various styles and materials.

Debuting with the exhibition is a collection of new charcoal portraits by award-winning artist Lisa O’Neil. These historic images include prominent figures from St. Augustine’s past and present, including Father Miguel O’Reilly, Dr. Thomas Travers, Archaeologist Kathleen Deagan, Sister Marie Therese Evrard of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and others.

Inspired by the upcoming 450th Anniversary, O’Neil’s drawings are the outcome of an Artist Ventures Grant she received from the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida.  “My goal was for viewers to relate to these figures as real human beings with real lives, not just as names from the history books,” said O’Neil. “History is an ongoing flow: we’re making history now and we’re touching the people of the future,” she added.

A classically trained artist, O’Neil holds a Studio Art degree from SUNY and completed Atelier studies in Florence, Italy. She was honored twice with the prestigious Carl Steinsieck Award for Best Figure Drawing at the St. Augustine Art Association.

The figurative exhibitions may be viewed at 22 Marine Street. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturdays, noon to 4 pm. and Sundays, 2 to 5 p.m.  Admission is free.  For information, call (904) 824-2310 or visit www.staaa.org.

Image jpg: “Spanish Cavalry Trooper,” Historical Portrait by Lisa O’Neil