FKCC Students Study "ICONS" Exhibit

Florida Keys Community College instructor, Lynne Bentley-Kemp and her Gallery and Display class interact with the "ICONS" exhibit. Lectures, demonstrations and field visits to local museums and galleries, allow students to learn the principles and procedures of presenting works of art. Pictured are (L to R) Sara Youngblood, Lynn Bentley-Kemp, Vernon Davis, Lenka Harrington, and Kristin O’Neill.

KWAHS Thanks Hindu for Sailing Session for ArtCamp

It is common today to read in the newspapers of cutbacks which adversely affect the recreational activities available to children in Key West. These days, parents have to be resourceful in order to keep their children occupied with positive activities. On Friday, March 21st, the Key West Art and Historical Society’s curator of education, Suzanne Pereira and Doug Morris, art instructor for the M.A.R.C. House, along with a group of parents and students stepped aboard the Schooner Hindu for a two hour sail in and around the harbor and channel. Rarely do children get the opportunity to experience sailing on a vessel driven by wind and sails, and especially a vessel as beautiful and exotic as the Hindu. This could only have been possible through the generosity of Captain Kevin Foley, management and crew. Captain Foley has been a strong supporter of hands on nautical educational experiences for children. Many students lent a hand raising and lowering sails and took turns at the wheel. Our students sighted dolphins in the harbor. As an added treat, Jim Sherrington, noted scrimshaw artist and local colorful personality stepped aboard to share his knowledge of the art of scrimshaw. Of course for many of the children, the firing of the cannon to the roar of “fire in the hole” was the perfect end to our sailing experience. We cannot thank Captain Kevin, Sunny or the crew enough for this unforgettable trip. To see a photoshow of this trip Click Here.

Artists experiment with Golden Acrylics in Special Seminar

Creativity was given a wakeup call on Thursday, March 20th, at the Golden Acrylics Mediums and Texture Materials seminar. Owner/Founder of the Golden Company let participants explore Golden Acrylics colors and gels at the Fort East Martello Museum and Gardens from 10 am to 12 noon. The sponsor for this event was Ben Franklin Island Arts and Crafts, hosted by KWAHS, and organized by Dick Moody.

Pirates, Writers, and ReMARCable Artists
Key West has always been known for diverse, colorful, and talented people. Ernest Hemmingway, Mario Sanchez, Calico Jack the pirate, and sculptor Seward Johnson, just to name a few. So not so surprisingly there is a group of artists in the heart of Key West at the MARC (Monroe association of Remarkable Citizens). Tucked away in the corner of the garden center there is the most diverse group of artists in all of Key West creating some of the islands most remarkable images. Buckets of brushes, bottles of paint, and boxes of colored pencils are the tools of their trade. Contemporary and figurative art works grace the walls of the outdoor studio. Just like their predecessors they create works that inspire and sometimes confound their viewers. Many would consider the art work done by the ReMARCable Arts program artists “outsider art”. Yes outside the usual frame work of our everyday experiences or interpreting our everyday life into truly remarkable images. So please come join the MARC artists at the East Martello in Key West and view some inspiring contemporary artworks, scenes of Key West, and even a few images of pirates. The opening reception was April 4, 2008 5pm to 7pm. The show will run until May 3, 2008.

Montessori Charter School Visits "American Trophies" Exhibit
On March 3rd, teacher, Ms. Angie Castonguay, and a group of parents, first, second and third graders from Montessori Charter School in Key West took part in a field trip to the Custom House to view the MacNelly / Bogan papermache sculptures currently on display in the Dogwood gallery. Ms. Angie equipped her students with drawing paper and self hardening clay. Each student chose a figure and made a drawing and then created a small sculpture using self hardening clay. The photo shows young artists hard at work in the Dogwood gallery. Nance Frank, who represents Rita MacNelly and Beezy Bogan at Gallery on Greene, is instrumental in making this show possible. KWAHS thanks her. The MacNelly / Bogan show runs until March 30, 2008.

Painting Classes Continued Due to Popular Demand.
Key West Art and Historical Society Adult Class Series

Mix It Up - Developing Your Painting Style is being offered again by the Key West Art and Historical Society in January 2008. Students will meet every Saturday starting January 12 thru March 8 2008. Class sessions are 3 hours long from 9:30 to 12:30. The nine week series costs $230. (This works out to less than $10 per hour.) Classes are limited to 12 students. Classes will take place on the following dates: January12, 19, 26 2008 February 2, 9, 16, 23 2008 March 1, 8 2008 Classes will take place at the air conditioned art studio situated at Fort East Martello Museum at 3501 South Roosevelt Boulevard. Students will also meet for plein air landscape classes at predetermined locations in Key West. Possible locations include the lighthouse and the botanical gardens. The focus of this class is to learn how to see and how to paint what you see…your way. Caren Ragan, a landscape and portrait artist, and a graduate of Pratt Institute has taught adult and children’s art classes at the Boca Raton Museum. Ragan, working closely with her students, helped develop her students’ painting style and color palette. Students learned basic painting techniques, principals of composition, drawing, perspective, form and color composition. Projects included still life and plein air painting in pastels, acrylic and oil. If you are interested in developing your painting skills, this class is for you. Class materials and supplies are the responsibility of the student. A supply list will be provided by the instructor upon registration. Click Here to print the registration form. You may register by phone, fax or mail. Please contact Suzanne Pereira, Curator of Education, if you have any questions. Email inquiries to spereira@kwahs.org or call 295-6616 Ext 27 to speak to Suzanne Pereira.

To see 2007 education programs click here!

To see 2006 education programs click here!

To see 2005 education programs click here!

To see 2004 education programs click here!