The Studios of Key West will host the acclaimed Miami artist next week in partnership with Key West Symphony — public invited to reception at February 21 Walk on White
Contemporary art meets classical music at this month's Walk on White Street, when award-winning artist Alette Simmons-Jimenez presents her exhibition "Up Down Backward and Forward " at The Studios of Key West. The artist has mounted her show in support of the Key West Symphony, and proceeds will support our island’s spectacular orchestra. The public is invited to the special reception in conjunction with the next Walk on White, February 21 from 6 to 9 pm.
Alette Simmons-Jimenez is the founder and director of ArtFormz, a Miami gallery that seeks to reflect the diversity of voices found in today's contemporary art scene. Up Down Backward & Forward provides a visual analysis of Simmons-Jimenez’s career trajectory from 1976 to the present, comprising mixed-media, drawing, painting, and assemblage. The over 50 works on view at The Studios of Key West emphasize the pattern of changes leading to new discoveries that have made up the essence of the artist's work.
"I met the orchestra’s maestro, Sebrina Alfonso in 2000, when the Symphony was looking for an artist to showcase in a cultural program they were developing,” said Simmons-Jimenez. “She made a studio visit...we talked...and something in the chemistry just clicked. That was a great experience, and I am thrilled to be able to work with the Symphony and Key West again."
The current project developed after Alfonso met with the staff at The Studios of Key West in the fall of 2007. They began talking about new creative collaborations and interesting ways to expand artistic experiences on the island. The Armory’s busy season had a gap in late February, which also coincided with the popular third Thursday Walk on White reception and open studio tours.
"Alette's work is beautiful, with a keen sense of design, and this temporary exhibition really covers a broad spectrum of styles," said Alfonso. “It will look gorgeous in the beautifully renovated Armory.” The artist is generously donating one half of all sales in support of the Key West Symphony.
The opening night reception, sponsored in part by Studios Key West and the wines of Louis Jadot and St. Francis, is free and open to the public. The lively evening will feature Up Down Backward & Forward, music by the Key West Symphony quartet, open tours of the 12 upstairs artists’ spaces, and delicious catering by studio artist and local chef, Lisa Esposito.
The Studios of Key West staff keeps an open door, and always welcomes new cultural projects and creative proposals. To learn more about the organization and its season of creative opportunities, contact The Studios of Key West at 296-0458 or info@tskw.org. For more information about the Key West Symphony, please contact 305-292-1774 or info@keywestsymphony.com.
