The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in The State of Florida (NSCDA-FL) will host a variety of Plein Air artists at the historic Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, 20 Aviles Street in downtown St. Augustine. On Saturday, May 9 from 11 am until 5 pm during the renowned Romanza Festivale, outdoor painters will enjoy the day at the House as part of the weekend of events to celebrate arts and culture.
 
Sponsored by the Aviles Street Merchant’s Association, activities will be held on the oldest street in the United States to promote its history and the “Arts District” location with some of the finest Plein Air artists in northeast Florida. Local galleries, shops, and museums along Aviles Street will host artists and their art. 
 
On the evening of May 9 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the paintings will be available for sale in the galleries, stores and restaurants along with live entertainment on Aviles Street. Local merchants will continue the “Romanza on Aviles” celebration on Sunday, May 10 with viewings of the paintings and more activities. For information and to participate, visit the website at http://www.romanzafestivale.com/contactmapdirections/

According to Julia Vaill Gatlin, Ximenez-Fatio House Museum’s Executive Director, the property will be open to more than 10 artists as part of 60 different Romanza Festivale offerings which include music, dance, theater, art, cuisine, and heritage. “We are proud to open our historic site to artists as we expand our public outreach and mission which promotes the nation’s national heritage through historic preservation, patriotic service and educational projects,” said Gatlin. 

Specifically, Plein Air art is a French expression which means painting “in the open air”.  The artists follow a long tradition which began in the mid-19th century while working in natural light. Many vignettes of the House Museum are popular with the visiting artists. The historic scenery supports their work with structures and grounds built in 1798 by Andres Ximenez, a Spanish storekeeper. For example, the original portion of the Ximenez-Fatio House includes a coquina house and the detached kitchen which became a tavern, private residence and later a fine boarding house for military officers, sea captains, dignitaries and families from the north and south. For more information, contact Julia Vaill Gatlin, Executive Director at 904-829-3575 or email info@ximenezfatiohouse.org.

The Ximenez-Fatio House Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am to 4:00 pm and tours of the buildings and rooms are available from 11 am until 3:00 pm. Closed Sunday and Monday. Tours are free for St. Johns County residents. Admission pricing for adults is $7; families $15, and for students, seniors and military $5. Group tours are welcome at $4.50 per 10 or more. The property is available for group functions including weddings and events.
                                        
The Ximenez-Fatio House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the Historic American Buildings Survey. It is a Florida Heritage Landmark and is also recognized as an integral part of the St. Augustine Town Plan National Historic Landmark District. Ximenez-Fatio House has been rated as the #1 attraction in St. Augustine by TripAdvisor and received TripAdvisor’s 2013 and 2014 Certificate of Excellence designation. 

Ongoing public awareness events are held at the Ximenez-Fatio House as part of the non-profit organization’s mission to further America’s national heritage through historic preservation, patriotic service, and educational projects. Visit the website at www.ximenezfatiohouse.org, Twitter at https://twitter.com/XFHouse and the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/XFHouse?v=wall&viewas=0. View the video at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDp_Nr7IAzU.

About The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA):
The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA), founded in 1891, is an unincorporated association of 44 Corporate Societies with more than 15,000 members. The NSCDA has been a leader in the field of historic preservation, restoration, and the interpretation of historic sites. Today, 41 diverse properties are owned outright by the Corporate Societies of NSCDA. 13 additional museum collections are owned by the Dames and 30 more properties receive substantial volunteer and financial support from Dames.

The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in The State of Florida was incorporated in 1899. In 1939, they bought the Ximenez-Fatio House from the Fatio heirs to use as their state house museum. Considered as one of St. Augustine’s best-preserved Spanish colonial dwellings, the museum depicts the boarding house lifestyle of Florida’s Territorial/Early Statehood Period. It is one of the first museums in America to interpret 19th century women’s history.