GALLERY HOURS: TUE - SUN, 12PM TO 4PM | FREE ADMISSION
22 MARINE ST., ST. AUGUSTINE, FL 32084 | (904) 824-2310
A Celebration of Art & History: the Ximenez-Fatio Nights of Lights Exhibition
November 15, 2025 – January 5, 2026
Honoring the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence
For this year’s Nights of Lights “Art and History” Exhibition, the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum — in partnership with the St. Augustine Art Association — invites artists to celebrate the Semi-quincentennial (250th) of the American Revolution.
Though Florida did not formally participate in the War for Independence, the people, cultures, and events here had a profound influence on the outcome of the war and the founding of the United States. This exhibition brings those often-overlooked stories to light — through art.
The Ximenez-Fatio House Museum is one of the best-preserved and most authentic Second Spanish Period residential buildings in St. Augustine, Florida. As a Historic House Museum, its period-appropriate collections and programs are presented within a building that is historically significant; exploring how the specific location and people were affected by larger historical events.
The St. Augustine Art Association emerged in local history in 1924 by a group of artists, writers, and photographers who saw the need for promotion of the arts in St. Augustine. The meeting that marked the founding of the Association was held at the Ximenez-Fatio House on January 18, 1924, and the House would serve not only as a meeting place, but also as artist studios for a number of years.
Submission Deadline:
September 26, 2025
Jury Review & Selection:
October 2025
Artist Notifications:
Mid-October 2025
Installation:
Week of November 10, 2025
Exhibit Opens:
November 15, 2025
Exhibit Closes:
January 5, 2026
Fireplace Mantel Display
Celebrate art and history through this display on the fireplace mantels in Ximenez-Fatio House located at 20 Aviles Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084.
Artists may design and submit one (1) creative mantel display that can be used universally across the mantel spaces in the theme of Flights to Freedom — Florida During the American Revolution.
This installation inspired by Revoluntionary-era Florida should feature:
- One focal point work of original art (painting, sculpture, textile, etc.)
- Supporting elements that visually connect to the time period or theme
- Mediums can be traditional or abstract - creativity encouraged!
ALL submissions will be juried and 14 artists or artist teams (up to 3 collaborators) will be selected to install their designs. Each design is allowed to be tailored to their assigned mantel.
Final submissions will be due on Friday, September 26, 2025
PLEASE READ THE PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR DESIGN.
Artwork & Exhibit Guidelines
Design by Judy Vance 2023 Exhibit, Holiday Theme
Mantel Details
Use the dimensions provided for each design. Feel free to print out the mantel photos for a more accurate design. Please utilize as much of the wide space as possible in your designs. Click here to view the mantel dimensions and photos or click the button below.
While mantles and fireplaces vary a little in size, the dimensions are close enough that submitted designs should be usable for each space.
Design by Leigh Slayden 2024 Exhibit, 100 Years of Music Theme
Theme & Artwork
Your artwork should honor the people and cultures of Florida in the 1770s and their unique struggles, contributions, or paths toward freedom — literal or symbolic. Artists are encouraged to reflect on Florida’s diverse communities and how their stories relate to themes of survival, identity, and liberty.
Examples include:
- Indigenous peoples displaced by colonial conflict
- Enslaved Africans who found refuge at Fort Mose
- Minorcans who fled brutal conditions at New Smyrna in 1777
- Spanish alliances that shaped the war's outcome
- British Loyalists and exiled American Patriots who converged in St. Augustine
These stories will also be explored more deeply in the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum’s Spring 2026 Lecture Series, which expands public understanding of Florida’s complex role in the Revolution.
Design by Dani & Amish Ratcliff 2024 Exhibit, 100 Years of Music Theme
Installation Materials
Your installation may include:
- Original artwork (painting, drawing, sculpture, pottery, fiber art)
- Framed pieces, small 3D elements, historical props or documents
- Faux greenery, artificial garlands, battery-operated LED candles
- Fresh greenery is allowed but must be maintained
- Tabletop easels may be used on mantels
No electricity is available. Battery-powered lights only.
Design by Paula Pascucci 2023 Exhibit, Holiday Theme
Installation Rules
- Individual and collaborations of up to 3 artists are permitted for this exhibition.
- All museum artifacts will be removed from the chimney wall, mantel, and fireplace in each room by XF Museum Staff before installation.
- Mantels may be used to display artwork, pottery, sculpture, objects, etc. Floor space within fireplaces may also be used for display. Table easels are permissible to use on the mantels.
- Only the existing nails/hooks may be used for artwork or decorations. No new nails, glue, or adhesives may be added.
- Nothing may be taped, tacked, or affixed to museum surfaces.
- No paint, color pencils, crayons or any other marks can be made on any museum surface.
- No live candles or fire sources of any kind can be used (Fire Marshall rules).
- Artwork and materials may not extend past the fireplace opening.
- Artwork must be stable and durable for the full exhibition run.
How do I enter?
To submit your application:
- Complete the online form below.
- Upload high-quality image(s) of your proposed design (jpg, png, jpeg, pdf; max file size is 5MB). Click here to view mantel photos and dimensions for a more accurate design. If you do not have photos of the finished design, images of drawings or renderings may be submitted.
- You should receive a confirmation email within a few minutes. Check your spam folder if you do not see it in your inbox. If you do NOT receive a confirmation email, your submission did not go through. Check your spam folder.
- Final submissions will be due on Friday, September 26, 2025. Submissions will be juried and 14 artists will be selected to install their designs.
NEED HELP? If you’re having trouble with the online form: MAKE SURE YOUR INTERNET BROWSER AND DEVICE ARE UP TO DATE; make sure the url has HTTPS; make sure all fields are properly filled out with correct information; make sure that your file name does not have any punctuation or special characters (periods and dashes are the only acceptable characters besides letters and numbers for file names). CLICK HERE FOR HELP.
Entry Form
Programs & Exhibits of the St. Augustine Art Association are funded in part by grants from the the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, the St. Johns County Cultural Council, and the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida.
