John and Paula Tishok

For John and Paula Tishok, welcoming artists to Key West is about more than offering directions or recommendations, it’s about building lasting relationships.

As volunteer community hosts for the Peyton Evans Artist Residency program, they help visiting artists feel at home by sharing meals, introducing them to the island, and connecting them with the people and places that make Key West unique. Whether it’s a backyard dinner, a kayak trip through the backcountry, or simply pointing someone toward a favorite local spot, these moments often become as meaningful as the work created during a residency.

Many of those connections continue long after artists leave the island. Years later, John and Paula still visit former residents when they travel, following their creative journeys and celebrating the friendships that began in Key West.

At The Studios of Key West, we believe artists flourish when they’re welcomed into a community. Thanks to volunteers like John and Paula, our residency is more than a place to work, it’s a place to belong.