Happy Hour with the Historian

Collecting Key West: The Sketches of Mario Sanchez

October 19, 2023 | 5:00pm-6:00pm

Historian: Cori Convertito Ph.D.

In 1961, Key West Art & Historical Society presented the first public showing of Mario Sanchez’s art at Fort East Martello Museum. Today, the Society continues it commitment to share the celebrated Cuban-American folk artist’s artwork. This talk highlights Sanchez’s sketches done on brown paper bags, a process he used to guide the layout of his famed bas-relief woodcarvings.

Much like sculptors employ maquettes, Sanchez used his sketches to visualize and experiment with shapes and ideas without undertaking the effort of producing elaborate woodcarvings. His woodcarvings tell a story of Old Key West, melding art and history in a single scene. More than 70 sketches were recently donated by David Wolkowsky at the time of his death and will form the basis of this talk.

This event is sponsored in part by the Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture and the State of Florida, with additional support provided by The Helmerich Trust and Comedy Key West.