To see work by internationally acclaimed muralist Kelsey Montague firsthand, fans must go where the art is. Murals aren’t found in traveling exhibits.
Fortunately, for those in Northeast Florida, it isn’t necessary to fly off to Singapore or Poland, Peru or even New York to view her creations. One need only take a short drive to Hastings in rural St. Johns County.
Montague, whose work can be found on every continent but one — Antarctica — brought her talents to the “Potato Capital of Florida” in May at the request of the St. Johns Cultural Council and Hastings Main Street. And for the Denver native who “lives out of suitcase” so as to share her art with great cities around the globe, this most recent piece adds something new to her repertoire.
“It’s in this beautiful, historic farming town,” she said. “This is my first time creating in a space like this.”
Her “canvas” is the entire north wall of a commercial building at the corner of Main Street and St. Johns Avenue. The subject is the agricultural heritage of the community, depicting enormous blossoms, corn stalks and heads of lettuce, about which flutter large swallowtail butterflies.
A real bicycle is permanently installed next to one part of the mural, positioned in such a way that it appears to be pulling a wagonload of produce and carrying a basket of flowers. In fact, like much of Montague’s art, the mural is interactive.
“I like people being able to walk into a piece and to become part of it,” the artist explained.
It took seven days for Montague to complete the work, finishing May 30. She and sister Courtney Montague, her assistant, began each day at 5:30 or 6 a.m., usually wrapping up by 1 p.m. when the sun and heat became too much.
For someone from a higher elevation and a drier atmosphere, painting in Northeast Florida posed a special challenge.
“I’m not used to the humidity,” she admitted. “I really feel like I’m under water!”
Unlike other types of paintings, murals must stand up to the weather — scorching heat, cold winter nights, heavy rains and, in areas like this, the possibility of hurricanes. That means using a medium that endures. Montague uses Sherwin-Williams house paint and Molotow paint pens from Germany. In addition, she recommends a varnish so durable that it won’t come off without sanding.
The mural not only enhances Hastings itself. It faces the Palatka to St. Augustine State Trail, giving passing cyclists something far more interesting to gaze upon than the backs of commercial buildings.
The mural is the result of a collaboration between the St. Johns Cultural Council and Hastings Main Street, a group of local citizens working to preserve, protect and improve the historic community. Funding was provided by the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council.
At the mural’s May 30 unveiling, St. Johns Cultural Council Executive Director Jeff Potts said the organization maintains a database of artists and that Monague had been on its radar for some time.
Montague is perhaps best known for her #WhatLiftsYou series and a mural in Nashville commissioned in 2019 by pop superstar Taylor Swift to celebrate her song, “Me!”
Montague had opportunities to tour Hastings, as well as the Lightner Museum in St. Augustine to see its “Riding High” exhibit, showcasing vintage bicycles and their role in life here.
She also carried out some research to facilitate accuracy in her work.
“I didn’t even know about potato flowers!” she admitted, laughing.
The community stepped up to lend needed support. Sara Arnett, owner of the building at 415 N. Main St., gave permission for the mural. Great Expectations Realty contributed paint, materials and lift rental. Doer Cabinets provided the scissors lift. Drifters Rentals of St. Augustine Beach provided the bicycle, prepped and affixed by Leonard and Linda Freeman of Good Earth Farm. Keith Pariani of the Lightner Museum also lent support.
At the unveiling festivities, Hastings Main Street Chair Jena Dennis praised Montague for what she called “a love letter to Hastings.”
“Your work captures the vibrant soul of Hastings: the resilience, the pride, the deep connection to our land and our people,” she said. “This mural doesn’t just tell a story; it invites everyone who passes by to become part of that story.”
To see a video about the creation of the mural, click HERE.
