Where Art Takes Root: How a Florida Flower Farm and a Restored Ford Garage Are Reviving the Heart of Hastings

Just a short drive from historic St. Augustine, a ribbon of wild blooms unfurls across the quiet landscape—zinnias, sunflowers, and soft-petaled seasonal flowers swaying in the warm Hastings breeze. This is Parks Flower Farms, a vibrant local grower known for inviting visitors to “pick your own” from fields alive with color. Families arrive with baskets and cups, cars tucked into the old Apache field, wandering freely among the rows to gather their bouquets. It is pastoral, joyful, and deeply rooted in the agricultural soul of this small Florida town.

That same sense of community and creativity is the vision behind Allyn & Jena Dennis, owner of the beautifully restored Ford garage on Hastings Main Street. Once an automotive workhouse, the building has been transformed into an elegant venue space—part wedding destination, part cultural hub, and wholly dedicated to breathing new life into the small-town corridor. Dennis has made it her mission to link local heritage, land, and artistry, creating opportunities for neighbors and visitors alike to celebrate the unique character of Hastings.

Her most recent collaboration bringing flower farming and fine art in a way that feels both effortless and inspired. Dennis partnered with award-winning painter Claire J. Kendrick, known for her expressive, impasto florals and lively brushwork. Kendrick’s paintings often capture the living energy of blooms—punches of color, sculptural texture, and a distinct sense of place. Painting directly from life is central to her process, making Parks Flower Farms the perfect partner and “The Venue” her pop up, studio.

During the 2025 fall festival on Hastings Main Street, visitors wandered between blooms and canvas, stopping to watch as Kendrick demonstrated her technique—oil paint laid down thickly, confidently, joyfully. One of her finished paintings, will be auctioned during the Spring Festival in 2026, with proceeds supporting the continuing revitalization of Hastings Main Street.

“Art and culture are such an important part of creating the heart and soul of small towns,” Kendrick reflects. “When people see their land and the results of local farmers’ hard work transformed into art, it gives a new meaning to why the arts matter. It builds identity. It builds pride. It builds an understanding.”

Each stem gathered in the fields becomes not just a flower, but an imprint of place—a palette shaped by the soil, light, and hands that grew it. Kendrick’s paintings celebrate that connection. She chose a delicate, airy backdrop for this limited edition series, allowing the joyful colors of the blooms to truly sing. The results are joyful works that capture both the spirit of the farm and the artistic heritage Dennis is nurturing on Main Street.

For the first time, collectors can purchase small-batch limited edition prints of Kendrick’s floral pieces—an affordable entry point for new art lovers, or a charming keepsake for those who visited. Ready to hang or beautifully displayed on a bookshelf or console table, these prints bring the vibrancy of Hastings into any home. Their scale and brightness appeal naturally to interior-design enthusiasts, offering bursts of color that work in both classic and contemporary spaces.

Meanwhile, a fine art framed print created from this collaboration will be available for bidding at the upcoming Spring Festival—a chance for collectors to own a true piece of Hastings’ cultural renaissance while supporting the revitalization of Main Street.

What began with wildflowers on the edge of town has blossomed into something much larger: a renewed sense of identity, a celebration of the land, and an invitation for visitors to discover the creative heart of small-town America. Thanks to the vision of Allyn & Jena Dennis, the dedication of Parks Flower Farms, and the artistry of Claire J. Kendrick, Hastings is growing something beautiful—roots, community, and culture intertwined.