February 20, 2019 – (Key West, FL). Key West Art & Historical Society to present retrospective of Key West wood artists in “Out of the Woods”
Key West Art & Historical Society joins artists, galleries, and organizations across the island in the Tom Majors Tribute to Wood– a month-long, island-wide celebration of the creative potential of wood. “Out of the Woods: A Retrospective of Key West’s Wood Artists,” Key West Art & Historical Society’s contribution, will feature several celebrated Key West woodworking artists including Papito Suarez, Frank Balbontin, Mario Sanchez, Norma Renner, Tony Barcelo, and George Garcia in the foyer of the Custom House Museum, 281 Front Street.
“The Tom Majors Tribute to Wood is a great reason to reveal these rarely-seen treasures,” says Society Curator Cori Convertito, Ph.D. “Oftentimes we only have one piece from an artist, making it tricky to insert in a larger exhibition.”
A B-25 bomber during World War II, followed by a long career in public works, Majors spent his retirement crafting simple yet elegant functional objects in wood. The Fund established in his name serves and honors Key West artists and programs that work with wood. The celebration is coordinated by The Studios of Key West and made possible by the Tom Majors Endowment for Wood Artists.
“By branching out among several venues, the Tom Majors Tribute to Wood allows each institution to draw attention to a specific theme, time period or artist,” says Convertito. “In the Key West Art & Historical Society’s instance, we opted to compliment the installation planned at The Studios of Key West. The Studios of Key West will be displaying living artists working with wood, and it was our thought to exhibit pieces from artists no longer living.
“This, we believe, creates a reminder to our community that we have long been honoring these talented artists.”
“Out of the Woods: A Retrospective of Key West’s Wood Artists,” runs March 1 – April 1. For more information, contact curator Cori Convertito, Ph.D., at cconvertitofarrar@kwahs.org or 305-295-6616 x112. Your Museums. Your Community. It takes an Island.
IMAGE:
This wood carving of the Mary Immaculate Convent by artist Norma Renner, recently acquired from the Estate of David Wolkowsky, is one of the works that will be featured in “Out of the Woods: A Retrospective of Key West’s Wood Artists,” March 1 – April 1 in the Custom House Museum Foyer. The exhibit is a component of the Tom Majors Tribute to Wood, a month-long island-wide celebration of the creative potential of wood. (Image courtesy Key West Art & Historical Society)