St. Augustine — St. Augustine resident and local historian David Nolan will be featured in St. Augustine’s main library program, The Cultural Lights of St. Augustine, on Thursday, May 5th, at 1 p.m.
The author and historian will highlight St. Augustine’s resident authors, artists, and musicians the likes of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Zora Neale Hurston, Martin Johnson Heade, Randolph Caldecott, Jacob Lawrence; Frederick Delius and Ray Charles.
Nolan stressed the importance of showcasing such famous people to prove that Northeast Florida is not just about “having fun in the sun but highlighting a very interesting cultural life that should not be forgotten.”
“There was no shortage of people to choose from,” he said. “You can make an encyclopedia of famous artists, writers, illustrators and musicians who lived between St. Augustine and Jacksonville.”
Describing the area as home to a “vibrant art colony,” Nolan said that he stepped back into the 1880s to showcase Henry’s Flager’s Ponce De Leon Hotel’s seven art studios that featured Martin Johnson Heade whose paintings today are worth over a million dollars.
Also of note, Randolph Caldecott who lived in St. Augustine until the time of his death.
“Randolph Caldecott is now considered the father of the modern illustrated children’s book,” continued Nolan. “The Caldecott Medal is the highest award given annually by the American Library Association. Winners include Dr. Seuss and Maurice Sendak, author of the classic Where the Wild Things Are.”
Nolan will also speak about Jacob Lawrence, “one of the great black artists of American history.”
“Jacob Lawrence was the first artist whose work hung in both the White House and The Vatican,” Nolan explained. “He lived in St Augustine during World War II while training to become a member of the Coast Guard.”
Nolan will also talk about Ray Charles who attended Florida’s School for the Deaf and Blind.
Seating begins at 12:30 p.m. | Presentation 1:00 p.m.
No reservations are necessary.
For additional information, please call the Main Library at 904-827-6940.
Presented by Friends of the Main Library St. Augustine.
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