Not unexpectedly, given its exuberant community of artists, Key West is home to a diverse variety of galleries. One of the earliest established — and still flourishing — is Guild Hall Gallery, an artists’ cooperative located at 614 Duval St. The venerable yet contemporary gallery, a creative haven that draws scores of art lovers daily, will celebrate its 40th birthday on March 18.
Guild Hall Gallery has showcased artistry from the same inviting Duval Street location for 40 years.
In fact, Guild Hall Gallery came into being during a renovation project in Key West called “Downtown ’76.” The cheerful open-to-the-street gallery, which sports a quirky brick floor and a wraparound balcony level that’s reached by climbing a broad staircase, was purchased in 1984 by a group of seven women artists who showed their creations there.
Remarkably, it’s still owned by four of the original seven: Ann Irvine, whose watercolors range from minimalist backcountry vistas to color-washed studies of buildings; Poochie Myers, acclaimed for acrylics and mixed-media pieces characterized by bright colors, pleasing shapes and enticing energy; Sonia Robinson, painter of vivid acrylics and mixed-media images (and formerly Key West’s leading crafter of beautiful leather accessories); and Susan Sturtevant, whose watercolors reflect a strong sense of color that’s designed to inspire the viewer’s imagination.
“Its philosophy has always been to provide an affordable place on Duval Street for artists to show and sell their work — and that still holds true today,” said Ann of the gallery.
Guild Hall’s enticing interior and wide range of artistry draw crowds for openings and shows.
A Key West resident for several decades, Ann began her career on the island by painting playful acrylics of “Old Key West” architecture and landmarks (pieces that are still in great demand). Today she’s best known for evocative watercolors that hang in colorful profusion just inside Guild Hall’s doorway, beckoning passersby inside.
“Currently 20 artists rent studios at Guild Hall — eight of whom have been with us for over 20 years,” Ann explained. “And over 140 artists have shared our space over the last 40 years.”
Current artists represented include weaver Claire Perrault, shipwright artisan Thomas Avery, whimsical “paper smashé” sculptor Egg, painter on wood Jordan Bernstein, acrylic artists Chuck Hightower and Lynne Fischer, watercolor and acrylic master Mally Weaver, photographers C.J. Groth and Jennifer Averette, “plein air” painter Susan O’Neill and fabric artists Joan Walters and Joanne Jarzombek.
“We are currently the longest lasting retail establishment on Duval Street in the same location,” Ann advised. “And we look forward to being here for many more years.”
Ann Irvine works on a watercolor at Guild Hall Gallery.
To celebrate 40 years of artistry on Duval, Guild Hall’s coterie of creative spirits is planning an open house from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 18 — and they invite all art lovers to attend, explore the gallery and its variety of offerings, and salute its vibrant history.
Be advised, though, to arrive early and allow plenty of time for exploring, because it’s easy to spend an entire evening wandering the individual display spaces on Guild Hall’s lower floor and balcony level. In fact, the gallery is a great place to go for artistry and gifts of all sorts, from large original paintings and stained glass panels to inexpensive prints and notecards.
“Guild Hall Gallery relies on a collaborative effort of all the artists to exist,” concludes Ann. “We are fortunate enough to have a wonderful team of creative people who put forth time as well as energy to make it the amazing gallery that it is today.”
May it remain so for (at least!) the next 40 years.
