Key Eyes, in Space 2, focuses the lens on Key West, and takes a closer view of the scenes and surfaces of our island, photographed by Bill Luchsinger and Karen Strohbeen and presented in a variety of formats.

Luchsinger and Strohbeen are a married couple who live and make art most of the year in Iowa. They have had over 40 shows and exhibitions in a range of media — metal sculpture, painting, drawing, etching, lithography, and archival prints. Spending time in Key West for the last 23 years they have developed what they call “Key Eyes” which means the ability to look with a sense of humanity and spirit so uniquely Key West.

“The time we have spent visiting Key West has changed the way we see our own lives,” says Luchsinger. “The island is such a beautiful and decadent place, always.”

Luchsinger draws a parallel between Key West and the remote area where he and Strohbeen have a home in Iowa.

“We live on a dead end road, and it can be two weeks before a car passes our way,” continues Luchsinger. “Key West is a dead-end road, too, although obviously, a much larger one.”

The couple transforms the mundane objects and familiar images of the island into strikingly unique photos. Occasionally utilizing extreme closeups, they train the lens on mausoleums, control boxes for traffic lights, and handicap signs, to render the usual in very unusual ways. The show will include both large format and small “postcard” images, as well as several amalgams of images printed on 3 x 10 foot floorcloths.

On view in Space 2: Feb 2-14, 2012

Reception: February 2, 6-8 pm
On view February 2-14, Main Hall

Light of Florida, a new exhibition in the main hall, consists of nearly 60 photographs taken by members of the Florida chapters of the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP).
Light of Florida was originally planned as a coffee-table book and recently traveled to the 2010 China Sanjiangyuan International Photographic Festival where it was awarded Best Thematic Show. The project began when ASMP members were asked to submit photos that capture and celebrate the magical quality of light in Florida. To date, nearly 1200 images have been submitted in response to the call.

Having been edited down and curated by a panel of experts in the industry, only a small percentage of the best images will be shown in Key West. The resulting collection showcases multiple interpretations of Florida’s people, places and things.

Through Mid-March

As a tribute to the Flagler Railroad, sculptor Bill Wood will install High Road, fiberglass and steel construction (160″ x 42″ x 90″), in the Armory garden in late-January.

Bill Wood on his inspiration for creating High Road…

“High Road is a result of the hours spent with one of my favorite landmarks of the Keys.

The first time I was involved in Sculpture Key West, I drove down from Virginia to Key West with a friend straight through.

As we got onto the Keys as it was beginning to get light, and it was my turn to drive. When I crossed over Bahia Honda,  I saw the remnants of the Flagler Railroad with the collapsing highway above it.

I kept thinking about that bridge – and whenever I’d go back by I’d park at the bridge and look at it for a while.

It struck me that it’s so typical of the Keys – taking something and reusing it like that.

Then, a couple of years ago I started doing road pieces – (one is showing currently in the National Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition in North Charleston.)

After a while, I got this idea for High Road. I don’t know, I guess I’ve just been on the highway too long…”

Sponsored by Saunders & Kolpin

*Guests are invited to stay for the free 6 pm lecture by Seth H. Bramson, author of Speedway to Sunshine in the Armory Main Hall

Reception, Jan 19, 6-9 pm

“Path to Paradise,” the Second Annual TSKW Members’ Winter Show, is an open invitation to all TSKW current and new members to exhibit theme related works for sale created this year.

The exhibition will pay homage to the the man, machine and era of the “Eighth Wonder of The World”- the 1912 completion of The Florida East Coast Railway, the Key West Extension, and the legend of the famous Standard Oil industrialist and visionary, Henry Morrison Flagler.

All works by members, in any medium or discipline from representational renderings to conceptual installations, which has been inspired by this theme will be included. This show, recognizing the Flagler Centennial Celebration, will open on Walk on White, January 19 from 6-9 p.m. and will be on view in the Main Hall of the Historic Armory through January  31, 2012.

All works by members, in any medium or discipline from representational renderings to conceptual installations, which has been inspired by this theme will be included. This show, recognizing the Flagler Centennial Celebration, will open on Walk on White, January 19 from 6-9 p.m. and will be on view in the Main Hall of the Historic Armory through January  31, 2012.

Sponsored by ARCHEO Gallery

On View Jan 19-31

Reception: Jan 19, 6-9 pm

What do you get when you cross paper dolls, origami, and a collaborative art making process?  You’ll have to attend the exhibition of January artist in residence Melita Greenleaf to find out.

Utilizing templates of her design Greenleaf will welcome community members and travellers alike to participate in making components for a sculptural installation.  The finished work will be unveiled in conjunction with Thursday January 19th Walk on White gallery events. Participants need only have the ability to trace, cut, and fold paper; each will receive a numbered piece to keep at the end of the show.

Greenleaf is a New York-based sculptor on faculty at the 92nd Street Y and represented by Galerie Aqui Siam Ben in the French Riviera.  Her work has been published in Lark Books “500 Tiles,” broadcast nationally in the PBS series “Craft in America,” featured at the Smithsonian Institution’s Annmarie Sculpture Garden, and was recently acquired for the permanent collection of the Siena College of Art, Italy.

About the Artist:

Although she earned an A.A.S. degree in natural resources conservation at FLCC, Melita transferred to SUNY New Paltz where she received a bachelor of fine arts degree in ceramics.  A resident of the circa 1902 Byrdcliffe Arts Colony in Woodstock, N.Y., Melita teaches sculpture and pottery at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan, where her class was featured in the PBS series “Craft in America.”

Her work has been published by Lark Books, shown at AnnMarie Garden, a Smithsonian affiliate, and at the Fête Picasso in Vallauris, France.  Melita’s work utilizes natural materials to create works infused with metaphor and symbol.

Sponsored by Cuban Coffee Queen

TSKW accepts proposals from sculptors from January 1-May 15 each year for the following cultural season. Sculptors can propose the installation of an existing body of work, or can choose to apply for a TSKW Residency and create work for a temporary installation.

Sculpture Garden proposal guidelines will be posted in early December for the following season.

The 2011/12 Sculpture Garden Installation schedule.

To see images from the past few years, please click here

First Prize
Entry by Jessica Argyle – The story of a desperate woman on No Name Key during the Depression.
Runners-Up (in alphabetical order)
Entry by Richard Hatch A story of a visit by the President of Gabon to a seaside restaurant.
Entry by Katie Leigh – A story of a Haitian boyfriend.
Entry by Maxine Lopez- Keough A story of about an alternative health guru in the Brazilian jungle
Entry by Jack Terry  A story of a man confronting the ennui of retirement

Thanks, also, to all of this year’s contestants for their permission to publish these submissions.

Entry by B.J. Blackmore

Entry by John DeSantis

Entry by Tom Fitzpatrick

Entry by Connie Gilbert

Entry by Kathleen Maguire

Entry by Bud Navero

Entry by Reef Perkins

Entry by Miriam Polli-Katsikis

Entry by Joni Sommers

May 1, 2012

First and foremost, I’d like to say thank you. Over the past two weeks, TSKW’s friends and neighbors have shown a tremendous amount of care and support — writing letters to the media, contacting local politicians, and expressing concerns and hopes to the Historic Florida Keys Foundation themselves. It has indeed been humbling to witness such support.

The TSKW board is continuing to negotiate to resolve the lease issue, and although there is nothing definite to report, I am ever hopeful that there will be some positive to report in the near future.

We believe that the amount of visible public support through letters and phone calls thus far have bolstered our efforts tremendously, and we are so appreciative of the time and effort that has been invested in helping us work to a beneficial resolution of this issue.

Sincerely,
Rosi Ware
TSKW Board Chair

In the main hall, an exhibition of works by 15 talented local students will be on view, all part of Miss Shannon Perkins’ Advanced Placement art program at Key West High School. Drawings, paintings, photographs, and ceramics from our island’s next generation of creative people will be on display.

The exhibition includes work by Lianna Aguiar, Haley Ammon, Adara Beneway, Kylie Bryant-Rider, Kevin Castellanos, Leane Chavka, Aylah Dunn, Marlee Gil, Tyler Hadas,  Jordan Pfost, Yaredis Rojas-Burgos, James Sarver, Tess Sody, Tesia Theriault and Andre Williams.

Purchasing one of the reasonably priced AP student works on display in the main hall is a wonderful opportunity to support local budding artists. Students will receive 80% of sales realized, and TSKW will donate the 20% commission it would normally receive to the KWHS art department in support of their Haiti Project, a humanitarian effort which provides clothes and supplies to the people of Haiti.

At 7 pm, an awards ceremony will be held which honors those students whose work has been recognized as exceptional. Several awards will be presented and will include recognition from the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, The Studios of Key West, and the Commissioner’s office.
In Space 2, The Key West Alumni Invitational will be on display. The show is an annual event which highlights the creative careers of selected individuals who began their training and interest in the arts while students of Key West High School. This year’s show is guest curated by Michael Marrero.

The show will feature work alumni Grace Calleja, Audra Gootee, Garth Holtkamp, Michael Marrero, Jack McDonald, Jackie Sanchez, Andy Thurber, and Debra Yates, and the alumni represented range in graduating year from 1951-1998.

Walk on White visitors are also invited also tour the sculpture garden, open artist studios, and to meet the current artists in residence at the Ashe Street residency cottages from 6-9 pm.
The Key West High School AP Art Show is sponsored by Conch Color

The Alumni Invitational is sponsored by Invites by Danette

The Key West Alumni Invitational is an annual event which highlights the creative careers of selected individuals who began their training and interest in the arts while students of Key West High School. This year’s show is guest curated by Michael Marrero.

Featuring work by Grace Calleja, Audra Gootee, Garth Holtkamp, Michael Marrero, Jack McDonald, Jackie Sanchez, Andy Thurber, and Debra Yates

Michael Marrero is an award winning Cuban American artist whose entire life has been dedicated to the creative. He was born and raised in the southernmost city in the United States – Key West. To call this unique, odd and wonderful would be an understatement. It was a time of smugglers, crooked politicians, rooster fights, the Mariel boatlift, Navy brawls and Shrimp Boat Row throw-downs. He has been attacked by monkeys, arrested in Cuba and once watched an old Santeria man bury a sack of pennies in hopes that it would bring him good fortune. After setting upon a formal education in arts he established himself as a driven professional with a sharp eye for both the micro and the macro with two passions – the moving image and the still image. His assignments have taken him from tropical paradises to shantytowns in Central America. He has dealt with both the volatile and the delicate, always finding the compassion and humanity of his subjects. He directs productions for the Red Barn Theatre and is co-owner of ARTSPACE Gallery in Key West.

May 11- 31, 2012

Public Reception:
Walk on White, Thursday, May 17, 6-9 pm

Space 2 Gallery, TSKW Upstairs

Sponsored by Invites by Danette