April 10, 2019 – (Key West, FL). Five Fun Facts About the Fourth Annual Papio Kinetic Sculpture and Art Bike Parade
The Fourth Annual Papio Kinetic Sculpture and Art Bike Parade and surrounding family-friendly festivities, presented May 3-5 by Key West Art & Historical Society and co-produced by Wonderdog Studios, celebrates rebel Florida Keys folk artist Stanley Papio and spotlights the Stanley Papio sculpture collection on permanent display at Fort East Martello Museum, 3501 S. Roosevelt Blvd, Key West.
Junkyard owner Stanley Papio, who died in 1982, transformed his collected metal— old cars, washing machines, and other metal appliances — into extraordinary pieces of art, many of them offering comical and caustic commentary on neighbors and naysayers. You won’t want to miss this spectacular kinetic tribute to one of the Keys most eccentric artistic legends! Here’s the low-down on the upcoming roll-down:
- Friday, May 3, 6:00 – 7:00pm: Key West-based artist and academic, Molly Ross, who works in the field of cultural performance including brilliant displays of puppetry and parades, presents “Spectacle in the Street: Art of the Parade” at the Custom House Museum, 281 Front Street. Free, but register in advance for a guaranteed seat at kwahs.org/events.
- Saturday, May 4: The Fourth Annual Papio Kinetic Sculpture and Art Bike Parade – a wild and wonderful cavalcade of art-inspired, human-powered, mobile sculptures and art bikes – think art with parts that move – launches from the Custom House Museum at noon (but come as early as 11:00am for pre-parade line-up festivities!) and travels down Front Street to Duval Street, then Southard Street to the Key West Amphitheater, where more fun awaits.
- After the parade, 1:00 – 3:00pm: It’s a post-parade party and concert at the Truman Waterfront Amphitheater, with awards ceremony, live music performed by The Wilde Awake featuring Tony Baltimore, refreshment booths, and an incredible Kid’s Zone complete with a rock climbing wall, giant water slide, obstacle course, “Papio’s Recycled Art Workshop” area, archery tag, the famous Imagination Playground giant blue blocks, and a fun inflatable special for the very wee ones. Free admission for Parade participants, Key West Art & Historical Society members with membership card, and kids aged 18 and under; $5.00 general admission.
- Sunday, May 5: Free admission all day to Fort East Martello Museum, 3501 South Roosevelt Blvd., and the permanent exhibit of Stanley Papio sculpture works.
- AND, it’s not too late for you to enter the Parade, solo or with a team, for a chance at fame, trophies and cash prizes! Human Powered Kinetic Sculpture Floats and Art Bikes can be simple, whimsical, futuristic, or fantastical – the only requirement is that they are physically moved by you (and/or a teammate(s)). Recycling is highly encouraged. For registration information and guidelines, a full event schedule, and ideas for making your own kinetic creation, visit papiokineticparade.com. Registration deadline is May 1 for Kinetic Sculpture Floats and May 4 for Art Bike Entries. Registration fee is $25 for Kinetic Sculpture Floats and $15 for Art Bikes, with registration fees waived for Society members.
The Papio Kinetic Sculpture and Art Bike Parade is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support provided by the Monroe County tourist Development Council, the Helmerich Trust, Margaritaville Key West Resort & Marina, Key TV, Keys Weekly, Law Offices of Samuel J. Kaufman, and First State Bank of the Florida Keys. Your Museums. Your Community. It takes an Island.
IMAGE: Virginia Wark of Key West took the ‘Pedal Pusher Award’ for best overall Art Bike in a past year’s Papio Kinetic Sculpture and Art Bike Parade with her entry ‘Music to My Eyes,’ claiming a trophy and a cash prize. This year’s Papio Parade events are set to take place May 3-5 in Key West.