The St. Johns Cultural Council is hosting the Opening Reception of "America's Parks" Celebrating 100 years of National Parks at the elegant Lightner Museum on June 9, 2016 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.  Enjoy 50 original artworks inspired by Nature and the Wild, culinary arts, live music and lively conversation.

Artists from throughout the United States have created works in all media focusing on the beauty and diversity of our Country's Great Outdoors. This is the third stop on the exhibition’s national tour.  Also featured will be 18 original works from the Council's recent Find Your Park Plein Air event in partnership with the National Park Service Castillo de San Marcos and Ft. Matanzas, and supported, in part, by the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida and the St. Johns Tourist Development Council.

Enjoy delicious unique culinary art “bites” created by excellent local restaurants inspired by the National Parks specifically for this celebration. Participating restaurants include:

Collage 
Black Fly
The Reef
La Pentola
Culinary Outfitters
O.C. Whites 

MIchael's Tasting Room
And many more from independently owned and operated St Augustine Restaurants

Complimentary beverages will be offered. Enjoy live music from the era inspired by nature including Banjo player welcome at the entry door, The Dunehoppers playing your favorite bluegrass tunes with award winning fiddle player Alan Hood!

Reserve your tickets today.  $50 person, $90 per pair. Tickets can be purchased at www.celebrating100years.eventbrite.com, or through the St Johns Cultural Council at 904-808-7330.

Artists will attend this Opening Reception and will be available to chat with guests about their inspiration and work. And patrons are encouraged to bring photographs of your own "Find Your Park" visits and experiences to share with others who enjoy America's Parks.

Proceeds benefit the ArtReaches Program of the St. Johns Cultural Council, supporting individual artists and performers, arts education, small and emerging arts and cultural groups, other programs that enhance the quality of life in St. Johns County.  For more details, email information@stjohnsculture.com or call 904-808-7330.

America’s Parks and Find Your Park Plein Air are made possible, in part by funding from the Community Foundation For Northeast Florida, the St. Johns Tourist Development Council, and donors to the St Johns Cultural Council.