They Called It LaFlorida

by Jackson Walker, presented by Florida House on Capitol Hill and the Juan Ponce de Leon Society.

The original painting is on loan to the Florida Department of State in Tallahassee and is on display in the foyer of the Secretary’s office.  A copy of the painting is on display at Florida House.

 About the Painting

For over a year noted Florida history artist Jackson Walker researched, sketched and painted this detailed 3’ x 5’ oil on canvas work commemorating Juan Ponce de Leon’s discovery of the coast of Florida.  The expedition sighted a shoreline on April 2 and a landing party of heavily armored men (and dogs) boarded boats, heading for shore.  They claimed the seemingly uninhabited land for Spain and named it “LaFlorida,” not only for the Catholic observance of the “Feast of Flowers” but for the beautiful landscape.

In partnership with the University of Central Florida’s Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, a free interactive version of the painting is available for download to your iPad from iTunes.  After the download, simply touch a topic you are interested in learning more about and read some of the fascinating history portrayed in the painting.  Touch the megaphone on the screen and hear the artist describe why it was important to include those elements in the iconic work.

Juan Ponce de Leon Society

Members of the Juan Ponce de Leon Society have made the acquisition and display of the painting possible through their generous contributions.  From Pensacola to Miami, for over three years the painting was displayed at museums and featured at many events.  It is now on indefinite loan to the Secretary of State’s office in Tallahassee and hangs in the foyer of the Secretary’s office.

Thank you to the Juan Ponce de Leon Society Members for making this gift possible.

Florida Blue

Belle & Lewis Bear

Andrew Blasi

Sandy & Vern Buchanan

Dominic Calabro

Jan Risi Field

Mimi & Bob Graham

Lorna Jean Hagstrom

Anne & Til Hazel

Sue & Mike Hightower

Bart Hudson

Ruth Kazeck

Irene & Gasper Lazzara

Martha & Ralph Marrinson

Sarah McKay

Patsy & Jim Woodroffe