Click the portrait to view a larger image.

Over 400 years after Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles first set foot on the place he named St Augustine, the Menendez family continues to have an impact on the city. On a visit to St Augustine in 2000, the artist Mark Menendez, who also happens to be a descendant of the famous explorer, noticed The Menendez Room at the Nombre de Dios gift shop, and wondered if perhaps a portrait his father owned might belong there.

At only 18 years of age, Mark painted the portrait of Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles at left as a loving gift for his father, Jose Menendez. It hung in Mr. Menendez' home only two years before that home was sold and the portrait returned to he displayed in Mark's home. When Mark visited the Mission in the year 2000, he felt the portrait belonged with Don Pedro's outer casket, and had a conversation with Eric Johnson, Gift Shop Manager at the Mission de Nombre de Dios. Eric was delighted, and on Founder's Day 2000, in St Augustine, the painting of Pedro Menendez was installed at the Mission. Eric had told Mark that a "small ceremony" would be held to thank his father for the donation, but many St Augustinians will agree that we don't do anything "small!"

Mark says, "We were overwhelmed at what was going on! We were whisked into the church, where we were introduced to the Monsignor, a Menendez history buff. We were invited to sit in the sanctuary during the Mass. Ladies were dressed in 16th-century frills and lace, men were garbed in the armor of the conquistadors. The Monsignor gave a twenty-minute introduction about the exploits of my ancestor, then turned to me to say a few words. Incredible! After the Mass, Dad and I were led by the Knights of Columbus, in full regalia, in a procession from the Church to the Gift shop, with the Menendez painting at the front. The painting was hung above the outer casket. The Monsignor, after a wonderful prayer, graciously thanked my father for his generous contribution, and presented him with a bronze crucifix. It was one of the greatest days of my father's life, and we reminisce about it often. I am so thankful to Eric Johnson and the Monsignor, and all involved for a wonderful memory."

Mark Menendez Menendez Art Enterprises.

Mark is an incredibly gifted artist and teacher; much-loved by his students and his community. Commissioned portraits by Mark Menendez are in corporate and private collections: of note are the Royal Portraits of the Knights of Sant'Yago, which are displayed in the King's Banquet Hall at the famous Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, Tampa's famed Latin Quarter district.

In 1990, Mark was contracted by Millennium Publishing to illustrate the graphic novel adaptation of horror novelist Anne Rice's New York Times #1 Best Seller, "The Mummy".

Mark has painted a number of inspirational paintings that are in the collections of local churches. St. Patrick's Catholic Church has one of his major pieces: "Do This in Memory of Me," his personal interpretation of the Lord's Supper. In June of 2000, he was asked by The Center Place of Brandon, Florida to exhibit a retrospective of his work. At this show, he unveiled his dramatic portrait of Jesus Christ, entitled "The Hour is Come."

Please visit Menendez Art Enterprises to see more of Mark Menendez' incredible work. (As a bird person, I am particularly taken with his "Macaw.") Mark also teaches art classes in Andrews, North Carolina, and Tampa, Florida.

It is an intense experience to be able to look into the determined face of a man who took on the responsibility of firmly rooting his country in the New World over four hundred years ago; Mark and his father Jose Menendez have made it possible for us to do that today. Many thanks to The Menendez Men for their determination, their fortitude, and for sharing their heritage with us so freely.