The Studios of Key West and Key West Innkeepers Association have partnered to lodge local art during the 2007 Historic Lighted Inn Tour
The Studios of Key West is helping local creative people find room at the inn. As part of the 2007 Historic Lighted Inns Tour, the work of almost a dozen artists will be installed at island accommodations such as Frances Street Bottle Inn, Cypress House, Curry Mansion, Old Town Manor, and other participating boutique hotels.
“Not only will these charming places be decorated and illuminated for the holidays, but they’ll also be filled with original works of local art,” said Elena Devers, project coordinator at The Studios of Key West.
Participating artists include painters Letty Nowak, Marc Caren, Lynn Sherman, and Janet Mueller. Photographer Lynne Bentley-Kemp, and mixed media artists Natasha Cole and Debra Yates are also creating works to show during the tour, which runs over the weekend of December 7 and 8 and 14 and 15.
The project started with a suggestion by Runi Goyal, proprietor of the Old Town Manor, an historic inn just off Duval Street. Goyal met with the staff at The Studios of Key West in mid 2007 to tour the studios and facilities.
“There’s a great level of creativity and new art being made in the Armory building, and in other nearby studio spaces,” said Goyal, “and this seemed like a perfect way to connect Key West artists with the hospitality community.”
Marc Caren, a painter originally form New York, is creating new canvasses of the two sites that will house his work during the Historic Lighted Inn Tour. Caren, who is now based at a studio in the Armory, is currently studying and painting images of the Paradise Inn and Island City House to be exhibited as part of the 15-property tour.
“It’s exciting that this project is actually generating new works of art, and possibly inspiring both artist and innkeeper to become closer creative partners,” said Goyal, who also serves on the board of the Innkeepers Association.
The Studios of Key West was established in late 2006, and is presently building a creative base at the historic Armory in Old Town. It’s mission is to support the creative process, local artists, and cultural experiences in Key West. The organization will host an ambitious slate of workshops, public programming, residencies, and new cultural initiatives in 2008. For details on arts opportunities, or to become an annual member of The Studios of Key West, contact the office at the historic Armory, 600 White Street, at 296-0458 or info@tskw.org. To learn about the 2007 Historic Lighted Inn Tour in Key West, contact 295-1334
