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.

Reception: January 23, 4-5:30 pm
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.

The public is invited to meet the artist at a reception on Monday, January 23 from 4-6 pm*

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

www.ffrancese.com

The signature of a Francese watercolor is his use of big shapes, color, color and more color!  No matter where a Francese watercolor is displayed, it will radiate a flash of color that literally jumps off the wall, immediately capturing the eye of the casual observer and art critic alike.

Francese brings a new style to the time tested combination of color and interesting shapes. His style employs the use of large brushes and a wet-on-wet method where in much of the color mixing is accomplished on the paper. Frank’s technique often produces brilliant, at other times subtle, and always unique shades of color.  The only limits are the artist’s imagination and willingness to experiment with every combination of color on his palette.

Color provides the stage for the artist’s performance; shapes provide the characters. Detail is only used after the color and big shapes, positive and negative, are in place.  Francese states “One must not over do the detail in any painting.  It should be using it sparingly and with great thought. I have seen many paintings where the artist used too much detail, thinking that is the key to a great painting.” The goal of a Francese workshop is to teach artists of all skill levels to combine color, shape and then detail into a unique work of art.

Workshop Structure

Each day includes two demonstrations, the morning demonstration at 9 am and a second afternoon demonstration at 12:30pm. The demonstration will be 40-60 minutes in length, leaving the student to have ample time to work on their painting using the subject matter of that day’s demonstration.

About the instructor

Frank was born in Arizona, but has lived in Colorado for most of his life.  A professional artist since 1976, he achieved the groundwork for his profession while attending Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado. He has been painting watercolors since 1983. Frank has been published in Watermedia Painting with Stephen Quiller, along with many prominent periodicals including magazine cover stories, articles, and calendars. He has produced two instructional DVDs as well. Frank’s numerous awards include a Best of Show award from the Colorado Watercolor Society in 2009, and was chosen for the NWS national travelling exhibition in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Frank has also served as a national exhibition judge and juror for several watercolor societies. He teaches studio and plein-air workshops nationally and internationally.

Register Online

I am a: MemberNon-member Become a member

$400

www.jimsalemart.com

Salem makes the impossible not only possible but pleasurable! His enthusiasm and encouragement has made him one of the most beloved teachers in the Keys for over 20 years- and he is at TSKW for 4 sessions only! Working indoors with acrylic paint, Salem will provide new engaging demonstrations of various techniques. A fresh arrangement of color, form and light will greet seasoned students and first time painters each session for inspiration in composing and completing a painting in the medium of their choice.

I am a: MemberNon-member Become a member

$100

Call the TSKW Program Office at 305-296-0458 to enroll in individual sessions.

Available to purchase for all past and present PBC students.

Each one personally painted and signed by Rick Worth. 100 % Cotton, Adjustable band

$45 inclusive (Uncle Sam is covered!)

Beloved island artist and PBC founding instructor, Rick Worth customizes each cap with his autograph and then marks each in his 5 signature colors – red, blue, yellow, black and white – to create a classic collectible cap!

Available only at the TSKW Office, 600 White Street.

$25 in advance/ $30 day of show.

Tickets available at
www.keystix.com or by calling or stopping by the Armory office.

Doors open 45 minutes in advance. Refreshments available.

www.noelpaulstookey.com