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Blame it on Robert |
KWAHS receives 3 grants | Lighthouse Day in
Florida | Antique Show & Sale |
Martha dePoo's exhibition |
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BLAME IT ON ROBERT - An eerie, straw-stuffed
doll that has mystified Key Westers for a century, as well as visitors
form all around the world, will, for the brave of heart, preside over
Fantasy Fest 2006’s “Blame it on Robert - A Night of 101 Hauntings.”
A new and special exhibit for the night of hauntings will be the unveiling of Count Von Cossel’s beloved Elena. The ghoulish Original Ghost Tours staff will host Tours of the fort during the mystical evening and explain the frightening tale of the count and his fascination with Elena in both life and death. The Key West Firefighter’s Local 1424, masters of smoke and heat, will spend the day at East Martello roasting several pigs in the traditional Cuban method, in a Chinese box. “The pigs go on the rack, then are covered with the metal box and then the hot coals are placed on top,” said Union President Arnold Cabellero. On the milder side, Antonia’s Catering will be serving up accompanying dishes of black beans, rice, and rum-glazed sweet plantains. “We’ve planned a haunting evening that will included frenzied island dancing, frozen tropical drinks and a Fantasy Fest costume contest,” said Claudia Pennington, CEO of the Key West Arts and Historical Society. “This is an early Fantasy Fest event,” Pennington said, “and locals usually take advantage of the evening with Robert. If you have a costume, it’s a great time to give it a test drive and celebrate with friends before our guests from the mainland arrive.” Key West Mayor Morgan McPherson is slated to proclaim Oct. 22 as “Robert the Enchanted Doll Day,” celebrating Robert’s 101 birthday. Century 21 Prestige Realty Group sponsors the event, and it benefits both Easter Seals Keys Region and the Key West Arts and Historical Society, so prices continue to be reasonable. General admission, in advance, is $35 and $40 at the door. VIP tickets are $75 in
advance and $100 at the door. VIP ticket holders will be treated to a
hosted bar all evening.
Robert the Doll, often remembered for more than 100-years of mischievousness, is back at his home at the Fort East Martello Gardens just in time to celebrate his 101 birthday at a FantasyFest fundraiser for the Easter Seals and Key West Art and Historical Society. Recently meeting with Robert, to plan the gala event, were Rob Porcaro, Easter Seals; Gerri Sidoti, KWA&HS; Jake Stanton, Century 21; Claudia Pennington, KWA&HS; Allan Lee, Century 21, and Tracy Leslie, Easter Seals. The fundraiser is one of the first FantasyFest events and a local’s favorite. |
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Key West Art & Historical Society receives three state grants The Key West Art and
Historical Society recently received three grants totaling more than
$100,000 from the State of Florida to help continue its funding of
educational programs in the Keys and art exhibitions. The Florida Division of Cultural Affairs gave the society a grant for $28,728 to support its exhibits and associated program, such as lectures. “While we pride
ourselves on shows featuring local artists, this grant allows us to
bring in the works of artists our residents would have to travel
outside of the Keys to view,” Pennington said. “ A good example is our
November exhibition of Bill Welch’s work entitled “Here, There and
Back Again.” |
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The Key West Lighthouse and Keepers Quarters
Museum celebrates
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Key West Art &
Historical Society brings popular television appraiser to
Carolyn Remmey will be coming to Key West to participate in the Key
West Art & Historical Society’s second annual Key West Antique Show
and Sale, Feb. 23-25, at the East Martello Museum.
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“Traditions Key West and Stock Island” features many of the
artist’s watercolors reflecting the two islands and captures the
unique and fast disappearing flavor of Old Key West and the
surrounding Keys. |
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Robert the Doll Moved to Custom House
Robert the Doll, known for 100 years of mischievous antics around the island of Key West, has been temporarily relocated from the East Martello Museum to the Custom House. Museum Director Claudia Pennington and Museum Curator Norman Aberle moved Robert the Doll, often considered to be a haunted sprit, to avoid any impish pranks Robert is known for during the Key West Art and Historical Society’s second annul Key West Antique Show and Sale. The three-day Antique Show and Sale will be held at the East Martello Museum on Feb. 23-25. The show features 30 antique dealers from Florida to Maine and special guest Carolyn Remmey, an appraiser on a popular TV show on antiques. Remmey, author of many popular books and articles on antiques, will be appraising antiques for a nominal cost and will donate the fee back to the society. Pennington and Aberle feared that Robert the Doll would begin his paranormal folly during the society’s preview party on Feb. 23, 6-9 p.m. To keep Robert the Doll from disturbing partygoers during cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and possible tinker with the band, museum staff decided to move him. “We never know what to expect from Robert the Doll,” Pennington said. “He will return to the fort after the antique show.” For more information, go to www.kwahs.com, or call 295-6616, ext. 16. |
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Jean Porter and Richard Peter Matson exhibits open Nov. 3 at the Custom House Due to the arrival of Hurricane Wilma, Key West artists Jean
Porter’s and Richard Peter Matson’s artwork exhibition at the Custom
House has been rescheduled. Both artists show unique visions of Key
West in their works. The Key West Art and Historical Society will host
the rescheduled grand opening reception for the two shows at 5:30
p.m., on Nov.3. Artist Jean Porter, who died in April 2004, traveled the world and her art of large seascapes and abstracts, as well as ceramics and jewelry, reflects her exceptional life. Porter attended Stetson University in Florida, the University of California at Berkley and the College of Arts and Crafts in California. In 1982, Porter returned to Key West and became active in the island’s civic life, and continued her artistic pursuits. She held many lofty cultural ideals and believed that artistic expression should serve a higher purpose. Porter had the old-fashioned notion that art could be more than a means of personal gratification; it should serve the greater good. Porter believed that art, opportunity, and freedom of expression, in all its forms, are essential to a rich and meaningful life and the health of society as a whole. This offering of Porter’s art is made in that spirit of celebration and service she so valued. The rich artistic sense she possessed, her open and curious spirit shine through the selections of her artwork included in the show Much of Porter’s time and energy in her later years were devoted to fostering Key West’s rich historical and cultural heritage. These efforts culminated in 1992 in her founding of the Heritage House Museum in her former family home at 410 Caroline St. Sales of Porter’s artwork will benefit the non-profit Heritage House Museum, as a way for her life and art to serve a greater good and to help promote the life and culture of Key West, her home and island she loved. The mission of the museum is to continue Porter’s efforts to celebrate Key West’s fascinating history and, by presenting the past, to educate and help preserve Key West as a cultural and historic community. Porter was the driving force behind the annual Robert Front Poetry Festival and the festival has grown in popularity since its first event in 1994. Also an avid writer, her book “Key West: Conch Smiles” contains many interesting tails of the Key West of her youth. Intermingled with Porter’s art will be quotes from her writing. “A town or a city must know and preserve it’s past so that it can
understand its present and visualize its future.” Richard Peter Matson Considered one of Key West’s most prominent and prodigious artists, Richard Peter Matson has been capturing the intense tropical light, brilliant colors and mysterious shadows of Key West since his arrival here in 1975. The Brooklyn native attended private schools on Long Island and later attended The Cooper Union Art School in New York City and the Yale University School of Art. After a successful career in advertising and design, he moved to Key West and had his first show at the prestigious Gingerbread Square Gallery two years later. Guided by his meticulous precision, Matson draws the viewers of his work beyond their obvious representations. A subtle play between the literal and the unknown behind it, invites us to glimpse beyond the decorative doors, ornamental gingerbread, palm trees and the blazing bougainvillea to the real, quintessential Key West. Original training in classical oil techniques lent itself to acrylics, and his work shows the engaging effect of thin transparent glazes of color over color. The NY Times has written: “His fascination with the brilliant tropical sunlight, its interplay with the local flora, has led to an extraordinary handling of paint, color and imagery. The Key West Citizen has said: “To look at a Matson is to see a canvas awash in color…it breathes vitality and celebrates life. His view of Nature is a lush green cathedral.” The Miami Herald has proclaimed him “…the artist that paints with colors that ‘snap’.” Matson’s work has garnered many awards too numerous to mention, and one of his paintings was given the honor of appearing on the Conch Republic Phone Book. More recently, two of his works depicting Key West homes were chosen for the permanent collection of the American Ambassador to Serbia, in Belgrade, through the ART in Embassies Program. In the words of the Ambassador, Michael Polt, “Richard Peter Matson’s two Key West houses are personally evocative for us. Their tropical warmth and unique architectural character make us relive our frequent visits to Florida.” Recently, the State Department requested two more of his works for the music room of the US Embassy in Madrid. This successful artist makes his home in a charming white Bahamian style house in the peaceful Key West area of The Meadows, and continues to practice his art every single day. For more information, contact The Custom House at 295-6616, ext 12. |
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Gov.
Jeb Bush has proclaimed Sept. 16 as official “Lighthouse Day in
Florida.” The Key West Lighthouse Museum and Keepers Quarters Museum
will celebrate the proclamation by giving a fifty-percent discount on
the $8 admission to Florida residents with identification. The museum
is located at 938 Whitehead St.
Learn
more about the history of the Key West Lighthouse and these two
extraordinary women with audio tours of the property.
