There is a new Art Gallery coming to town and although it isn’t officially open yet, it had a sneak peek preview of what’s to come this past First Friday, July 7, 2023. The gallery is called “The BART on Aviles” and is going to be a Wine Shop/Art Gallery. People questioned the name, but once they got it, it became ingrained in their mind.
BARt bART – Bar/Art combined.
Everyone that stopped in for complimentary wine and cheese hung out until 11PM! What a Party at the Barty. They loved the vibe/energy of the place. They loved the eclectic mix of artists. They loved the concept. Lots of future customers and friends were gained that night.
But for now, the art is off the walls to paint and freshen up the place. The anticipated Grand Opening will be August’s First Friday 8-4-23. Croix des doights!
“The BART on Aviles” is going to be a Wine Shop Art Gallery. The BART®™ will feature local St. Augustine artists; some well-known in the Art Community and some up and coming artists. At The BART®™, we want to feature an eclectic and avant-garde group of artists. Notice I said ‘we’ – YES, you heard right, Philip and I are the owners of The BART®™ and we are very excited about this new venture in life.
The Bart on Aviles is going to be a hip cool place. We are planning to introduce monthly events that focus on Wine, Art, Music and fun! Stay tuned.
Celebrated today with a late lunch/early dinner at O.C. White’s. We felt like burgers! They are pretty much a seafood place, but they do have other options. What makes them special is the location. They are right on the bayfront offering beautiful views and they have a beautiful outdoor dining area with a pergola and live music. Didn’t get the name of the guy playing that day, but he was very good and had a nice mixed repertoire. He really enhanced the relaxed vibe. I believe he is there Friday and Saturday’s.
Later that day we headed down to Aviles Street for First Friday Artwalk—Phil is June’s Featured Artist at Jensen Pottery. It was a beautiful night with a balmy breeze, a good crowd, Ken Jensen and his band jamming on the street, free wine, and an almost full moon. What more could you ask for.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year already. But we recently renewed our lease on our FABULOUS apartment…so it must be true. And simultaneously it feels like we just got here and that we never left. We love living here.
Literally we love everything about living here: The fabulous artistic vibe, the abundance of great restaurants: our local bar/gastro pub, our local Trattoria, our favorite Sunday brunch spot – shout out to Forgotten Tonic; Nonna’s; and Roosevelt Room; our local wine bars, coffee shops, gift shops, art galleries, pastry shops, the beaches, our cool small Publix on Vilano Beach, the Saturday Farmer’s Market, the music scene, the beach bars, the Amphitheater, the festivals, the holiday parades, First Friday Artwalk….you see the list is endless. Always something going on and always something to do.
But more important than that is the people we have met and the friendships and relationships we are building. We are now closer to family, so we have been able to share some holiday celebrations together. We have reconnected with good friends that we maybe saw once a year, and now we see several times a month.
A few weeks ago, my nephew came to visit for a weekend. He is at college at Embry Riddle studying to be a Rocket Scientist (seriously!!!). He was overwhelmed with schoolwork and finals and wanted to get away for a weekend. So we picked him up in Daytona and came back to StA. We had a great time hanging out, walking Lincolnville, showing him around, and eating and drinking. But the funny part is he told my sister he had a great time and “Phil and Dee are famous.” LOL We are not famous, we just know those in our neighborhood; we our locals with our local hangouts, and there ‘everyone knows our name’. He also told her we took him to ‘fancy’ restaurants. Ok, maybe one was fancy!
Sometimes, late in the evening, when we have our windows open and our lights are still on, an employee from one of our local hangouts – better called a friend – walking past our apartment will shout up to us, “good night Phil and Dee, love you”. It’s sweet and genuine like a ‘Walton’s’ moment. It’s home for us. It makes our hearts happy.
Phil just had an art opening and is at Jensen Pottery gallery for May and June. Which is very exciting for him, he had a great turnout. It was also our 16th wedding anniversary making it a double celebration.
Phil at his opening. A beautiful installation.
I still take my morning walk along the bayfront and over the bridge. Every day is different, and I never get tired of that view. I love when I see something on my walk that I never noticed before. I love when I find small hidden side streets I didn’t know were there, or secret garden courtyards in the middle of the city. I love the smell of gardenias and night blooming jasmine in the early morning hours. I love the sunrises and the cloudy days equally. I love the briny smell along the bayfront at low tide, and the salt air aroma at high tide. On non-work days I love to stop at ChocoLattes at the end of my walk and have a Mimosa while I wait for my croissant and Phil’s bagel, egg, bacon, and cheese sammie to go.
Rose Mimosa at ChocoLattes
This is the life we are building. I’m so happy to be back here. Did I mention we love living here?
America’s Europe, one year later, we are ‘still’ here, and we ‘still’ feel alive.
Living in America's Europe 