The St. Augustine Art Association is proud to provide a voice and stage for Veterans with a riveting, sometimes raw, emotionally-charged exhibition, entitled Then & Now: 50 Years of Veterans Experiences, on display July 2 through August 22, 2021.

This exhibit demonstrates the healing power of art by showcasing eight individuals who use painting, sculpture, photography, poetry and other creative outlets. These Veterans share their experiences from subtle murmurs of anguish to cries for support and understanding. Then and Now merges St. Augustine’s art and history with today’s global military awareness and experiences, providing both an educational narrative and outreach. During the exhibit, the Art Association will open its gallery for Veterans and military groups to host meetings or workshops, field trips, lectures and other special events.

A focal point of the exhibit will be a replicated five-by-eight-foot holding cell. This is a special “shout out” to American Hero, Army Major (RET) Theodore Gostas, a former POW held in captivity for over five years, four-and-a-half spent in solitary confinement. The cell will be surrounded by a visual narrative of two Vietnam veterans, Gostas and exhibit curator Jerome Domask, supporting each other for over 50 years as Foxhole Buddies after Gostas’ return to active duty.

There are numerous ways for our St. Augustine community to get involved in Veteran support, and this exhibit is just one of those. If this is something you’d be interested in supporting, let us know! Details on the exhibit, artists, and the ways you can get involved, can be found a www.staaa.org/then-and-now-2021 or by contacting the St. Augustine Art Association at (904) 824-2310 or info@staaa.org.

The St. Augustine Art Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization founded in 1924. The Gallery is located at 22 Marine Street in historic downtown.