The Studios of Key West will serve up a creative feast for the next Walk on White on Thursday, December 20 from 6 to 9 pm. The public will be treated to live music by Blues guitarist Steve Green, open artist studios on the second floor, and a special installation of Rick Worth’s remarkable set designs for Red Barn Theatre’s 2007 production of Five Course Love. Wonderful food, including jerk chicken, banana bread, and other local favorites, will be provided by Key West restaurant, Blue Heaven.
“Things just keep getting more exciting here,” said TSKW project coordinator Elena Devers, who is also a frequent actress in Red Barn Theatre productions. “Creativity and interesting things will be in every corner of the Armory building, inside and out.”
The special feature of the evening, presented in partnership with Red Barn Theatre, will be a display of 5 original scenes from the past season’s run of Five Course Love. Each set design has been painted on four 4x8 foot panels, and all will be on view at the Armory before, during, and after the December 20 Walk on White. Perfect for a dining area, pool house, outdoor setting, or large interior, each of the five scenes will be for sale through a silent auction. Bidding runs from December 17 to January 2, and all proceeds will support Red Barn Theatre.
“The sets are charming, humorous Rick Worth originals,” said Red Barn artistic director Joy Hawkins, “They represent Mexican, Italian, and German restaurants, an American 50’s style diner, and a Texas Barbecue.”
Five Course Love is a comedy about finding romance, and involves 5 restaurants, 15 characters, and a small cast in multiple roles. The play, music, and lyrics were written by Gregg Coffin, and the Key West production ran at Red Barn Theatre earlier this year.
“What I liked most about doing the sets is working for the guys and gals out at the Barn,” said Worth, noting that this was his first project with the Key West theater. “The play required many set changes in a short period of time,” remembers the artist, “So I dreamed up this unfolding book idea, with the scenes on large folding panels, and it all worked like magic.” Worth is happy for his unique designs to find new homes, and will sign and dedicate the sets to those with the winning bid.
Striking outdoor works by local artist Anja Marais remain on view in the Armory Sculpture Garden, and the main hall interior contains a group exhibition of work by local painters, writers, and creative people. And thanks to local musician Steve Green, the Armory will be filled with blues tunes during the upcoming Walk on White.
“The third Thursday is our monthly open home at The Studios of Key West, and we’ve tried to grow the creative atmosphere and invite all sorts of local artists into the mix,” said Devers. “And of course, the public is invited to enjoy the creative elements in every nook and cranny.”
The Studios of Key West, founded in 2006, recently renovated the historic Armory building at 600 White Street to serve as a hub for the island’s arts community. The campus comprises a main hall for workshops, lectures, and exhibitions, twelve studios for local artists and writers, a well-landscaped sculpture garden, and main office.
In 2008, the organization will expand its programming to include visiting artist residencies, free professional development sessions for Key West artists, and exciting new partnerships with Sculpture Key West, Southern Arts Federation, Red Barn Theatre, Key West Symphony, and other local arts organizations.
“I’m thrilled that Red Barn and TSKW are working together,” commented Hawkins, “It’s all about making our community a more creative, vibrant, unique place.”
The Studios of Key West staff keeps an open door, and always welcomes new ideas, cultural projects, and creative possibilities. To learn more about Friends/TSKW, next Thursday’s Walk on White, or the upcoming creative season, contact The Studios of Key West at 296-0458 or info@tskw.org.
