Tour of Compassion Obelisk Art 450

The Obelisk Art 450 project was intiated by Compassionate St. Augustine as part of the celebration of the 450th anniversary of the nation's oldest city in 2015. The obelisks are replicas of the 30-foot Monumento de la Constitución and will be on display at various locations in St. Augustine's historic district from October 2, 2015, to January 31, 2016.

Twenty-five obelisks were created by local professional aritsts. Each obelisk represents the values found on the constitution monument in St. Augustine's Plaza de la Constitución: democracy, human rights, freedom, and compassion. They stand eight and a half feet tall, and are done in a wide range of styles.

In addition to Compassionate St. Augustine, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, and the Crisp-Ellert Art Museum, local sponsors include Fraser Family Heritage and Oldest Wooden School House, Glenmoor Resort Retirement Community, Mrs. Claudia Gordon, Herbie Wiles Insurance, Allen and Delores Lastinger, Leonard's, Ray and Linda Matuza, Old Town Trolley Tours, Petros Estate and Retirement Planning, Ring Power Corporation, Ripley's Believe It or Not! and Red Train Tours, St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park, St. Francis Inn and the Compassionate St. Augustine advisory board.

Additionally, 28 four-feet-tall obelisks were created by elementary school children in St. Johns County as part of the project. These make up the Compassion Through the Eyes of Children, which will be exhibited publicly at a location and dates to be determined.

Admission: Free. The Tour of Compassion is a public art exhibit.

When? October 2, 2015, through January 31, 2016.

Where? At various locations throughout St. Augustine's historic district.

Cover photo courtesy of Jackie Hird.