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Arts Council offers "Art Builds Community" Grant - Deadline May 20th for local Artists and Groups

5/5/2022

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​The Florida Keys Council of the Arts announces a grant opportunity, Art Builds Community (ABC), to support arts and culture projects that spark conversations, spur social change, generate cultural equity and make our community stronger. Grant funding is offered at $5,000, $7,500 and $10,000 for projects that support, build and broaden access to the arts and specifically address civic challenges and community issues through the arts.  New for this round, some funds will be distributed as start-up resources for outstanding project ideas.
 
Florida Keys artists, arts organizations and civic/community-based organizations are encouraged to form alliances and partnerships to strengthen communities through projects that connect the arts with local issues and opportunities for all people. The ABC grant deadline is May 20th at midnight. The online application and more information are available at www.keysarts.com.  
 
“The Florida Keys Council of the Arts is committed to ensuring that everyone in our community has equal access to the arts and the fundamental right to express their culture through the arts,” said executive director Elizabeth Young. “Many of our resident’s experience vast disparities in terms of access to and participation in arts and culture activities. We believe the arts have the power to change hearts and minds, and inspire social change.”  
 
Art Builds Community is funded in part by The Helmerich Trust, Ocean Sotheby’s, Louis Wolfson III and private donations. To support the Art Builds Community grant program, help build cultural equity and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors in the Florida Keys, please contact: Executive Director Elizabeth Young, director@keysarts.com.  
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Six Mario Sanchez Woodcarvings Donated to the Key West Art & Historical Society

4/19/2022

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Picture“Traffic Jam” by Mario Sanchez is one of six woodcarvings gifted to the Key West Art & Historical Society by the estate of Charles and Barbara Martin. (Photo Credit: KWAHS 2022.02.0002)
The Key West Art & Historical Society announced today the donation of six woodcarvings created by distinguished Cuban American folk artist Mario Sanchez.  Joining another 200 Sanchez works already part of its permanent collection, the Society holds the largest assemblage of the artist’s works ranging from paper bag sketches to handcrafted paper kites and intricate woodcarvings.
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A gift from the estate of Charles and Barbara Martin, winter residents of Key West for several decades, the six woodcarvings were purchased directly from the artist by the Martins in the 1960s and were proudly displayed in Michigan until early 2022 when they returned to Key West.

Sanchez, a Key West native, is among this country’s finest and most recognized folk artists.  The self-taught artist was born in Key West in 1908, the grandson of Cuban immigrants.  In the 1940s, at the urging of his mother-in-law, he began creating intricate carvings depicting life in Key West as he remembered from his childhood.  Of his work, Sanchez adopted as his motto: “Se que mi modesto arte no es bueno, pero gusta,” or “I know my modest art isn’t good, but it pleases.”

“This is a substantial gift to the Society,” says Cori Convertito, curator.  “With the addition of these works, the Society will be able to offer a much richer representation of the art and history of the island, one that includes enhanced perspectives of our past and skillfully embodies our diverse culture and heritage.”

In addition to the works, a series of letters exchanged between the Martins and Sanchez accompany the gift affording information on artwork purchase dates, insurance values and backgrounds on the various individuals that appear in the carvings.

“The handwritten letters form an integral part of the donation,” says Convertito.  “Having contextual information such as this allows the museum to tell a more complete story of who Mario was as an artist and about the recurring characters he deftly included in his intaglios.”
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The woodcarvings have been digitized and are available for viewing on the Society’s website, www.kwahs.org/collections.  For more information about the donation, or to discuss possible donations to the Society, contact Cori Convertito at 305-295-6616 x112 or cconvertito@kwahs.org.

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CFK Student Art Show

4/15/2022

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​The College of the Florida Keys will showcase the talent and creativity of its students at the annual Student Art Show in the Library Gallery on the Key West Campus.  Join art students, art faculty, and art lovers from the entire Keys community to celebrate a year’s worth of art and accomplishment at the opening reception on Wednesday, April 20, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.  The event, sponsored by the College of The Florida Keys Foundation, is free and open to the public.  
 
A myriad of artwork created by students this past year will be featured, including pottery, photography, and sculptures.  Some pieces will be for sale with proceeds going to the student artists as well as the Library Gallery Fund.  Several awards will be given for each category, including the prestigious $1,000 “Jay Gogin Excellence in Visual Arts Award,” named after the College of the Florida Keys late Artist in Residence and ceramics instructor.  Attendees will be invited to cast votes for the winner of the “People’s Choice” award. 
 
For more information, contact Kristina Neihouse, Director, Learning Resource Center. kristina.neihouse@cfk.edu or 305-809-3501 

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Arts Council announces new Cultural Umbrella Event Funding and new Committee Chair

4/14/2022

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PictureArts Council Director Liz Young welcomes new Cultural Umbrella Chair Michelle Nicole Lowe.
The Florida Keys Council of the Arts is pleased to announce the application for Tourist Development Council Cultural Umbrella event funding is now available.  The application and instructions are located online at www.keysarts.com

Cultural Umbrella funding is used only for the advertising and promotion of cultural events taking place between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023. These funds are available to support arts / cultural events such as concerts, plays, seminars, festivals, exhibits, etc. 

The deadline for submitting the application electronically is Wednesday, April 20th at 5 p.m., with an advance draft application deadline of April 13th. Applications will be reviewed by the Cultural Umbrella committee on May 17th, and their recommendations for funding will be forwarded to the TDC and BOCC for final approval. 

The Cultural Umbrella Committee is honored to have a new chair, Michelle Nicole Lowe, who has served on the committee for several years, alongside Cliff Stutts, Trish Hintze, Nancy Bunch and we also welcome new member Scott Burau.  

The Cultural Umbrella Committee functions as an Advisory Committee to the Tourist Development Council. The Florida Keys Council of the Arts provides administrative support for the Cultural Umbrella Committee, and guidance to the applicants for Cultural Umbrella funding.  

For more information, call Liz Young at 305-295-4369; or e-mail director@keysarts.com 

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Key West Garden Call to Artists

3/31/2022

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Wyland at the Waterfront!

3/4/2022

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The City of Key West welcomes Wyland back to town! The artist has worked his way down the Keys repainting his three murals, first in Key Largo, then Marathon, and now Key West.
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The iconic mural graces two sides of the Waterfront Brewery building at the Historic Seaport.
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New Exhibitions on View at The Studios of Key West March 3-31

2/28/2022

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As part of Key West’s Bicentennial Celebration in March, artists from the Florida Keys and beyond will join Reynerio Tamayo, Cuba’s preeminent baseball artist, in an exhibition celebrating America’s favorite pastime. “Play Ball!” is a multi-artist tribute to baseball on view from March 3-31, featuring a new body of work by Tamayo, as well as over 100 baseball bats transformed into works of art.
 
“On the eve of Key West’s 200th anniversary, it makes sense to celebrate two of the ingredients in our island’s secret sauce: our cultural roots in Cuba, and our love of baseball,” said Jed Dodds, Executive Director of The Studios. “Earlier this year, we put out a call to artists to pick up a bat and to use their imagination and any materials they wanted to turn it into a unique artwork.”
 
The resulting collection runs the gamut, from brightly painted scenes to ornate sculptural objects. Some bats have been transformed entirely; one into a fully functional lamp and another into a didgeridoo that can be played. A handful have been carved or hollowed out and put back together, and a few others elevate the bat into a tribute to Conch Culture and Women’s Baseball.
 
The centerpiece of the exhibition is a new body of paintings of Tamayo, an artist known for his good-natured but sharply drawn commentaries on pop culture, history and politics. Tamayo says, “the Cuban people’s passion for the sport is connected to their identity,” and his portrait of baseball’s Major League star Bronson Arroyo, who was born and raised in Key West, is a true celebration of a homegrown hero.
 
Also on view in March in The Studios’ Sanger Gallery is “Journey to the Great Round” by Marlene Koenig. Koenig’s ambitious, meticulous, fantastical paintings and works on paper are inspired by her close study of eastern spirituality and Jungian philosophy. The Zabar Project Gallery will feature “Facades,” Pamela Kostmayer’s latest abstract work consists of mixed media including encaustic, paper, wood, metal objects and oil stick.
 
All three exhibitions will be on view Tue-Sat, 10am-4pm, at The Studios, 533 Eaton Street.
 
“Play Ball!” Is made possible by a partnership between Florida Keys Council of the Arts, Old Island Restoration Foundation, Gallery on Greene, and The Studios of Key West. More information on the exhibitions can be found at www.tskw.org.

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Key West Art Center & Gallery Presents 14th Annual Plein Air Key West Event

2/25/2022

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Key West Art Center & Gallery, which is celebrating their 62nd year in its present location at 301 Front Street, will present the 14th annual Plein Air Key West on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Artists in all media are welcome and can register at the gallery between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. to participate, or pre-register online, with artists returning completed art work back to the gallery by 1:30 p.m.

Plein Air Key West is an all-inclusive and fun event that attracts local artists and talented amateurs throughout the Keys with many visiting artists planning their trips to Key West around this time to participate. Watercolor, acrylic, oil and pastel paintings, charcoal, and pencil sketch artists are all welcome.

​A reception will be held the evening of March 12, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the rear courtyard of the Art Center and people’s choice awards will be announced. All artwork from the event will be for sale and will hang until March 19.

​For information, a show application and registration, go to keywestartcenter.com or stop by Key West Art Center & Gallery at 301 Front Street daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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57th Old Island Days Art Festival at Truman Waterfront Park, February 26-27

2/18/2022

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The Key West Art Center proudly presents the 57th annual Old Island Days Art Festival at the beautiful Truman Waterfront Park. This year’s show brings back some of your favorite artists and will introduce you to many new talented ones. The waterfront setting has given us the opportunity to set up more booths and our artists responded with over 110 artists scheduled to attend.

Artists and crafters will line the quay showing watercolors, oil/acrylic, mixed media, photography, and more works for your home. In addition, you will find jewelry, clothing, sculpture, glass, and wood along with plenty of fun funky tropical arts and crafts. This group of artists has something for every taste and budget, and we hope you will stop down to stroll the waterfront and meet this great group of artists, some of whom have traveled from as far as the west coast, and others much more local.

Drive, bike, walk or bus down to see us as there is plenty of parking and bike racks and we are steps away from the Duval Loop stop. Artists will greet you from 10-5 each day. We look forward to seeing all our locals and visitors for a wonderful art filled weekend!

The Old Island Days Art Festival is sponsored by the Key West Art Center & Gallery, located at 301 Front Street. The non-profit Community Art Center is Key West’s oldest gallery and features original works of art by over 50 local artists.

​For more information contact us at 305-294-1241 or email at KWArtShow@gmail.com

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History of Diving Museum hosts community art exhibit with local artists and students

2/4/2022

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The History of Diving Museum invites you to visit the new featured exhibit Dive Into Art: FantaSea. This is the fourth collaborative art show with the Museum, Art Guild of the Purple Isles (AGPI) and local students. The limited-time show encompasses fantasy elements tied to the ocean: mermaids, pirates, sea monsters and more, as well as literary themes such as fairytales, fantastical poems and epics.
 
The museum celebrated the opening of the exhibit by inviting teachers and students from the eight participating schools; Coral Shores High School, Key Largo School, Key Largo Middle School, Ocean Studies Charter School, Plantation Key School, Stanley Switlik Elementary School and Treasure Village Montessori, to an afternoon preview. Students were delighted to see their work on display and be able to share the experience with family members. Following the preview, Art Guild of the Purple Isles board members hosted a virtual walkthrough and in-person tour.   
 
The exhibit would not have been possible without the help of members and donors contributing to our Giving Tuesday campaign. In addition, the Featured Exhibit is sponsored in part by the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, Florida Keys & Key West Tourism Development Council, State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. The History of Diving Museum greatly appreciates these wonderful organizations that support outreach programming and events.
 
The exhibit will be on view through April 20th, and the student art will then travel to the Monroe County public libraries. 
 
The History of Diving Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Islamorada (MM83). Open daily 10am-5pm, both divers and land-lovers alike are amazed by over 4,000 years of “the quest to explore under the sea.” From early breath-hold diving to venturing into the abyss, see how pioneers shaped our understanding of the world below, and the special role that South Florida and the Florida Keys played in this untold story. Check out DivingMuseum.org to find out more, become a member to support this important history and shop for unique items in the Museum Store. 

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Exhibit opening with student artists
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Student selfie station
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