An Electronic Newsletter from The Studios of Key West
Tropical Storm Fay may have passed us by, but that doesn't mean things in
Key West have settled down.
This weekend a maelstrom of arts activity will be taking place at
The Studios of Key West.
Read on...
Join us tonight for Walk on White at the Armory
It's the third Thursday, and that means tonight we're opening the doors of the Armory
and readying for this weekend's One Night Stand theatre project. We'll be showing off
our new affordable art vending machine, and introducing our artist-in-residence
Michael Hawkins. And if that's not enough, the Armory sculpture garden now features
two striking works, by local mixed-media artists Lauren McAloon and Anja Marais.
Meet Michael Hawkins
Key West has given a warm welcome to August artist in residence, Michael Hawkins,
who comes to us from Cambridge, England. Over the past month, Michael has been
discovering the island, getting to know the locals and immersing himself in our creative
community. He made a guest appearance (and a frantic action painting) earlier this
month at the Midsummer Nights Party, as a music collaboration with Skipper Kripitz.
Now the young visual communicator is working inside the main hall of the Armory to
complete a large mural panel, entitled "The Great Promise," for the interior stairway.
Check it out, and meet the latest TSKW resident, at tonight's Walk on White.
Upstairs and in the Garden
Lauren McAloon, the hard working TSKW Facilities Coordinator, recently installed her
2005 Sculpture Key West piece, "Skipping Waves" in the Armory Sculpture Garden. A
photo of the piece graced the cover of the 2008 Culture Magazine, but if you haven't
seen it in person, now is your chance. Lauren's steel sculpture references Civil War
era cannonballs, aimed and shot like skipping stones towards the distant waterlines of
their target ships. Joining that striking work is a haunting piece by Anja Marais and
Rudi Repenning which the artist team calls "Revolving Life, phase two - after the
storm." Rebuilt from a hurricane damaged work, the new piece is a commentary on the
life cycle, birth, death, and rebirth.
There's plenty of artistic action in the upstairs studios too. On the Armory's second
floor, you'll find new work from TSKW artists such as Sherry Tewell, who says,
"Recently I have been working on a new series of abstracts influenced by my
fascination with water. The natural patina that occur on surfaces that are exposed to it
and the many layers of colors that are reflected in water. Also in the works are new
pieces that will reflect my travels to Greece and Turkey this summer." Peter Very and
Debra Yates have been working on an uncharacteristically small scale lately. Debra
has been creating small canvas "boxes" and Peter has been working on small format
paintings of Key West and the Bahamas. And temporary studio artist Guillermo Orozco,
a new addition to our studio community, will open his door so the public can check out the
new work he's been doing. One studio that might be closed tonight is Hays
Blinckmann's. The local artist just gave birth to new son, Hugo, and our warmest
wishes go out to the happy family.
Art-o-mat
From the moment you walk through the Armory doors tonight, you'll notice something
different. Just inside the foyer walls is a shining red and chrome vending machine,
and it's filled with original, affordable works of art. Welcome to the Southernmost Art-o-
mat machine, delivered to TSKW early this week. Our Art-o-mat joins over 80 that are
now positioned around the country, including at the Andy Warhol Museum, Whole
Foods Stores, the Museum of Modern Art gift shop, and cafes and community centers.
Pick up an Art-o-mat token today, for a little more than the price of a gallon of gas, and
go home with new and interesting dispensable art. And next month, when Art-o-mat
guru Clark Whittington comes to the island, local artists will have the opportunity to
learn how to make and sell thier items through the Art-o-mat network. Become a
collector in a few easy steps: insert token, select an artist, wait for the kerplunk, open,
enjoy.
Another One Night Stand
Sometimes… one time just isn’t enough. So we’re doing it again.
TSKW's collaborative 24 hour theatre project returns to the Armory this weekend.
Starting Friday Night TSKW will be bringing together
7 caffeinated writers
5 competent and creative directors
8 marvelous artists
And about two dozen local actors with heaps of talent.
And we'll give them 24 hours to write, rehearse, create backdrops and perform 5 brand
new one act plays. Will the results be devilish or divine? The audience gets to decide
when the curtain goes up at 8:00pm on Saturday night. A pre-show reception will kick
off the evening at 7:00pm in the sculpture garden. Audience members will also have
the chance to buy raffle tickets to win a number of great prize packages, including a
season pass to Red Barn Theatre and Waterfront Playhouse, gift certificates to local
restaurants like Pisces and Commodore, and a Moet and Chandon sunset sail aboard
the Catamaran Echo.
Another One Night Stand has been blessed with a cadre of wonderful local sponsors,
who are helping us make this project happen. Thanks go to First State Bank of the
Florida Keys, Turtle Kraals & Southernmost Restaurant Group, At Home in Key
West, Bender and Associates, Michael E. Berman MD, Blue Heaven
Restaurant, Danger Charters.
Tickets for the performance have sold out, but we're keeping a waiting list in the event
that any tickets are returned before Saturday evening.
Congratulations Miss Monica!
And last but not least, a very special congratulations goes out to educator Monica
Fienemann, who has been hired away as a 3rd grade teacher at Glynn Archer
Elementary. Thanks to "Miss Monica" for all her great work last year as TSKW's
education coordinator, and for working tirelessly to make our spring and summer at
camps such a success. And as an added benefit to the educators and classrooms,
TSKW will dedicated proceeds form every Art-o-mat purchase to help acquire art
supplies for the nearby school. So get your tokens now, and her new crop of bright
young learners!
__________
The Studios of Key West is a nonprofit cultural organization established
in 2006 with a mission of supporting our community's creative people,
fostering new projects and partnerships, and advancing the cultural
life of our island. Find us and our campus at the Historic Armory,
600 White Street in Old Town Key West. Our current facilities
comprise a main exhibition hall and workshop space, 12 artist
studios, a sculpture garden, several residency cottages, and
small office.
Visit us there, and learn about our plans for the 2008/09 season!
Eric Holowacz, Executive Director
Elena Devers, Projects & Marketing Coordinator
Martha Barnes, Program Coordinator
Lauren McAloon, Facilities Coordinator
Monica Feinemann, Education & Outreach Coordinator
