Key West, FL — On Thursday, November 7, from 6–8 pm, The Studios of Key West invites the public to its highly anticipated First Thursday event, featuring the opening of exhibitions that explore powerful themes of nature, resilience, and nostalgia. In addition to enjoying the exhibitions, visitors are welcome to experience Hugh’s View, The Studios’ scenic rooftop terrace, where stunning sunset views over Old Town Key West set the scene for an unforgettable evening.
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In Submerged Serenity, on view in the Sanger Gallery, Australian artist Debra Hill delves into the lush, intricate flora and birdlife of her homeland, reflecting on humanity’s profound relationship with nature and one another. Her vibrant, nature-inspired works invite viewers to pause and consider their own connections to the environment, as well as the ties they share with others.

With It Only Hurts, on view in the XOJ Gallery, Key West artist Emma MacLean presents a powerful and deeply personal exploration of chronic pain. A chronically ill and disabled artist, MacLean uses 78 textile pieces to visualize the language of pain, with each piece representing a word from the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Through her painstakingly crafted textiles, MacLean brings visibility to the invisible and often isolating experience of chronic illness.

Key West native Catherine Solmo transports visitors to a bygone era in Memory Lane, a nostalgic series inspired by family stories and old photographs, on view in the Zabar Lobby Gallery. Her evocative paintings pay tribute to generations of Conchs and their traditions, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the island’s past and the vibrant lives of those who once called it home.

Also on display in the Zabar Project Gallery is a collection of student watercolors from a beachside workshop held this past June. Watercolor enthusiasts gathered just before sunset, armed with paints, brushes, and open imaginations. A selection of their works will be shown alongside one created by their instructor, Susan Sugar, celebrating both artistic growth and the collaborative spirit of the class.

The First Thursday event is free and open to all. To learn more about the exhibitions, classes, and events at The Studios of Key West, visit www.tskw.org.

Key West, FL – The Studios of Key West is thrilled to announce a season of creative brilliance with its Fall 2024 Preseason Classes. Whether you’re looking to hone your skills or embark on a new artistic journey, their lineup is packed with exciting opportunities designed to spark your imagination and invigorate your creative spirit.
 
Dive into the world of television with a one-of-a-kind workshop led by Ernest Gold, a distinguished Peyton Evans Artist in Residence (PEAR), on October 18. With 15 years of experience in both the U.S. and Austrian film industries, Ernest is renowned for his genre-defining work, including the groundbreaking Austrian Amazon series “Beasts Like Us.” In this exclusive session, Ernest will guide you through the entire process of developing your own television series, from initial concept to the final show. Don’t miss this unparalleled opportunity to gain insights from a true visionary in the field.
 
Art lovers can get a jump on their holiday shopping with Maggie Ruley’s “Pet Portraits” workshop, running on October 29-30. This hands-on class will teach you how to capture the unique charm of your furry friends, creating heartfelt portraits that make perfect gifts for the holidays.
 
For those ready to roll up their sleeves and dive into painting, Jack McDonald’s “Painting Bootcamp” returns in November and December. Over four Mondays, Jack will help you master the art of composition and finishing a painting with his signature humor and dedication. This bootcamp promises both fun and fantastic results.
 
Stargazers and science enthusiasts won’t want to miss Larry Halstead’s “Enjoyable Astronomy” class on November 12-13. This evening workshop offers a captivating exploration of the planets and stars, providing tips and tricks for identifying celestial wonders and enjoying the night sky.
 
Travel enthusiasts can transform their globetrotting experiences into compelling stories with Faith Adiele’s (PEAR) “Travel Writing to Save the World” workshop on December 17. Learn how to craft engaging narratives from your travels, turning your adventures into captivating tales that will transport readers across the globe. Named one of Marie Claire magazine’s “Five Women to Learn From,” Adiele chairs the Writing & Literature Program at California College of the Arts and speaks and teaches around the world.
 
The Studios of Key West is also excited to offer additional classes led by other talented PEARs. Explore the fundamentals of linocut printing on fabric with Dakotasky Bowen in “Linocut Printing on Fabric” on November 15, or dive into abstract acrylic painting with Franck Hodelin in “Acrylic Painting (Beginner to Intermediate)” on November 19-20. Plus, young creatives can participate in engaging youth workshops with favorite local instructors, including printmaking with Bria Ansara and poetry writing with B. Lucy Stevens.
 
This fall, The Studios of Key West invites you to explore, create, and shine. Don’t miss out on these incredible opportunities—register today at www.tskw.org and make this season unforgettable!

​The Studios of Key West is thrilled to announce it has been awarded a generous grant of $10,000 from the First Horizon Foundation. This funding supports and expands our Schools at The Studios program, to include all three of Key West’s Title 1 elementary schools: Gerald Adams, Horace O’Bryant, and Poinciana. Schools at The Studios brings groups of students to visit The Studios’ galleries, theater and residency program, where they meet with professional artists and then produce their own artwork inspired by these encounters.
 
Schools at The Studios was launched in 2020 as a partnership with the public charter May Sands Montessori School, and has since expanded to include the Basilica School, the Children’s School and students from Take Stock in Children. It is the anchor program for an array of youth and family offerings at The Studios built on strong community partnerships. Other education partners include: Bravo Theatre, Bahama Village Music Program, The Music Room and more. 
 
First Horizon Foundation's Grants for Good campaign, in celebration of the bank's 160th anniversary, awarded $1.6 million to 160 nonprofits making significant impacts in their communities. First Horizon Market President Dwight L. Hill noted he’s particularly proud that four Monroe County nonprofits were selected out of a pool of over 3,000 applicants. “I am gratified that with these grants we were able to support community efforts in key areas of need, affordable housing, education, the environment, and the arts.” 
 
The other Monroe County beneficiaries of the Grant for Good program include: The Guidance Center’s Heron Mental Health Assisted Living Facility; Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys’ affordable housing initiatives; and scholarships program at the Marine Resource Development Foundation (Marine Lab).

Key West, FL – Summer heats up on Saturday, July 13 as the much-beloved One Night Stand makes its exciting return to The Studios of Key West. This renowned 24-hour theater project promises two electrifying performances at 7pm and 9pm, showcasing the boundless creativity and camaraderie of local theater artists.
 
The excitement begins the night before, as playwrights and directors gather to kick off the creative frenzy. Drawing casts randomly, they embark on a race against the clock to craft four new 10-minute plays overnight.
 
"From the moment the writers draw casts from a hat until curtain call, it's a whirlwind of collaboration," said organizer Elena Devers. "Over fifty talented individuals come together, sharing ideas, props, costumes, and stories to magically bring these plays to life."
 
As the sun rises Saturday morning, playwrights rush to deliver freshly inked scripts to The Studios, where actors, directors, and artists eagerly take up the challenge. Throughout the day, actors immerse themselves in their roles, directors guide rehearsals with precision, and artists create vibrant backdrops, while dozens of volunteers assemble props, refine costumes and construct set pieces, culminating in two dynamic performances.
 
With nerves tingling and adrenaline coursing through their veins, performers take the stage in front of a live audience at 7pm and 9pm. As the icing on the cake, local celebrity Stephen Crane emcees, presiding over the unveiling of the island's newest original theater.
 
Don't miss your chance to experience this exhilarating night of theater! Tickets for One Night Stand are available for $40 ($35 for members) at tskw.org or by calling 305-296-0458. For more information and updates, visit tskw.org.
 
In just 24 short hours, participants produce short plays, design stunning costumes, and craft gorgeous backdrops for One Night Stand.

[Key West, FL] Winners of the Robert Frost Poetry Contest for Children & Teens gathered at The Studios of Key West on Saturday, May 25 for an awards ceremony. The winners in attendance read their poems aloud to the audience of friends, family, Studios staff, and Monroe County teachers.

In celebration of National Poetry Month in April, and Robert Frost (1874-1963), The Studios of Key West is delighted to host the Annual Kids and Teen Poetry Contest each year through the gracious donations established by the Jeane and Jessie Porter Fund at the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys. Jeane Porter was especially committed to encouraging young writers, while supporting the Poetry in School contests around Monroe County. This year marked the 30th annual poetry contest held in Monroe County for school age children, beginning in 1994.

This year, The Studios of Key West received nearly 400 poems and awarded just 12 of those entries. The contest is highly competitive, and results in a very encouraging level of creativity within the younger generation in the Florida Keys.

The kids category (6-12) gave three honorable mentions to Oskar Davis, age 10, Sutton Lucey, age 10, and Joyce Kiger, age 10. Ryleigh Cooke, age 11 received third place; Tristan, age 10, second place; and first place to Mallory Browning, age 11. The teens (13-18) had three honorable mentions: Annalynne Dodd, age 13; Lizzie Portillo Alonso, age 13; Taylor Thomason, age 13. Sofia Dubon Espinoza, age 15, won third; Antonio Gomez, age 17, received second; and Dominik Galaz, age 14 won first place. Read the winning poems at https://tskw.org/kidspoetrycontest

(Key West, Fl) The Studios of Key West is pleased to announce an exciting lineup of programs this fall, including an array of special events and artist talks, art and writing classes, and a day trip to Art Basel on December 8. Registration for preseason is now open, and the full schedule can be found at www.tskw.org.
 
Known for its excellent class offerings, several favorites return to The Studios this fall, including Novel Writing with Hays Blinckmann on November 21 and 22; Enjoyable Astronomy with Larry Halstead on November 21 and 22; Intuitive Painting with B. Lucy Stevens on December 10; and the ever-popular The Artist’s Way, a 12-week course designed to unlock creativity, Tuesday evenings starting December 5. The course is taught by beloved instructor Rosalind Brackenbury.
 
“I'm really excited to be beginning a new 'Artist's Way' class in December; each one turns out to be a revelation, and totally surprising - which is why I love teaching it,” said Brackenbury. “I also delight in the 'family' spirit we seem to grow into over 12 weeks of the class.”
 
Other classes on offer this fall include Plein Air Painting, Portrait Drawing, Poetry Writing, and Paint Pouring.
 
The Studios also offers a lineup of special events including an artist talk on November 9 with actress and award-winning filmmaker Tipper Newton, best known for her role as Karen in The Mindy Project. Studios Artistic Associate Stephen Kitsakos sits down with Newton to discuss her filmmaking and acting career, as well as screen a curated selection of short films. 
 
The Studios is also offering an all-day chartered coach trip to Miami’s Art Basel on December 8. Day trippers will arrive at the largest, coolest, most cutting-edge contemporary art event in the country, spend the day taking it all in, have a relaxed dinner, and on the way home, will have the opportunity to take a nap, have a glass of wine, and swap celebrity-sighting stories.
 
Visit www.tskw.org to learn about all the opportunities on offer at The Studios this fall, including their Winter Members’ Exhibition, open to all members, and their Holiday Artisan Fair, now accepting reservations from vendors.

​Jed Dodds, The Studios of Key West’s Executive Director since 2012, has been selected for the prestigious Leadership Florida program as a member of its 41st Cornerstone Class. Dodds will be among fifty-five Florida leaders aged 40 and over, including corporate CEOs, business owners, educators, elected officials and non-profit executives, participating in a nine-month, multi-city educational program exploring critical issues facing the State of Florida.
 
“Our mission at Leadership Florida is to bring together committed leaders from all over the state to recharge their leadership skills and expand their network,” said Wendy Spencer, president and CEO of Leadership Florida. “Through this powerful community, our class participants are able to find the knowledge and inspiration to take on some of Florida’s biggest challenges.”
 
In his time at The Studios, Dodds has spearheaded the development of its downtown campus, anchored by their iconic flagship building at the corner of Eaton and Simonton. Busy with exhibitions, concerts, plays, classes, a bookstore and rooftop terrace, The Studios is at the center of the island’s cultural life. Just next door, the arts organization is currently completing a $2.5M renovation of the PEAR House, which welcomes artists in residence from around the world to create new work in Key West.