KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Eighteen contemporary sculptures and two performances are to enhance the land- and seascapes around two Civil War–era forts and a botanical garden during the 16th annual Sculpture Key West exhibition. Set for Jan. 15 through April 15, the open-air exhibition spotlights the talent of international, national and local sculptors on the subtropical island known for its lively arts community.
Among the projected highlights of the 2011 exhibition are a 10-foot winged Italian coffee pot created by a sculptor from Naples, Italy, a pixilated stainless steel “Square Wave” that thrives on ambient color and reflection, an ethereal hanging assemblage of densely colored petals and light, a calypso music sound installation, a breathing rock and a 15-foot-tall palm–tree pencil by Key West artist Jon McIntosh.
Sculptures were selected by a jury led by Lilly Wei, an acclaimed New York–based independent curator and art critic.
Sculptures are slated for display beginning Saturday, Jan. 15, at the Key West Garden Club at West Martello Tower, Atlantic Boulevard and White Street; Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, located beyond the end of Southard Street, and the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden, off U.S. Highway 1 at College Road near the island’s entrance.
Artists from South Korea, Italy and nine American states are to showcase their work in the innovative exhibition. Participants include leaders in the national and international sculpture world such as Lynn Umlauf, John Boone, Myung Gyun You, Markus Baenziger, and Key West residents Susan Johnson, Randy Detrick and McIntosh.
The exhibit at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is to debut with free viewing from 3 p.m. to sunset Jan. 15 and a 5 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony. Regular park entry fees will be waived during the opening.
All sculptures are to remain on display through April 15.
Event information: www.sculpturekeywest.org or 305-295-3800
Key West visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY
Social: www.facebook.com/floridakeysandkeywest • twitter.com/thefloridakeys
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