The Florida Keys & Key West are connected by more than the iconic Overseas Highway and its 42 bridges. The quirky, charismatic islands are also connected by a vibrant community of creative spirits — and pieces of their work have been collected into a mural that bridges the Keys with colorful artistry.
An arts aficionado uses an iPhone to photograph a painting of a turtle during the debut of the Connections Project mural. (All photos by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)
It’s called, fittingly, The Connections Project: A Mosaic of the Keys.
The massive mosaic mural features small canvases by approximately 400 Keys artists and arts-minded residents. And it’s on a tour from Key Largo to Key West this winter and spring to celebrate the longstanding connection between the community and local cultural initiatives.
The colorful mural was spearheaded by the Florida Keys Council of the Arts. According to Elizabeth Young, the council’s executive director, it’s made up of individual canvases measuring 6 inches square that were provided to creative spirits around the Keys.
The resultant small works — produced in mediums ranging from oils and watercolor to photography, mixed media and quilting — showcase subjects including vivid abstract seabirds, bright-pink tropical flowers, realistic sea life, palms and waterfront scenes, abstract symbols and local landmarks.
A few images feature political themes, including a depiction of President Donald Trump as a Key West rooster — complete with Trump’s signature hair.
So where can you view this vibrant example of Keys creativity?
It debuted in early February at the Murray Nelson Government & Cultural Center in Key Largo, and will remain on display there until Feb. 22 — before starring in five other exhibitions throughout the island chain.
President Donald Trump’s hair is the focal point of one of almost 400 canvases by Keys artists that help make up the Connections Project mural.
Its next appearance will be Feb. 24 through March 8 at Ocean Sotheby’s Gallery in Islamorada, followed by an exhibit March 10-22 at the Shady Palm Gallery in Marathon. After that, from March 24 through April 5, it will be on display at Big Pine’s Artists in Paradise Gallery. And April 6-17 it takes center stage at Royal Furniture in Key West before ending its tour April 18 through May 12 at Key West’s Gato Building, the headquarters of the arts council.
There’s a reception scheduled during the exhibit at each location, but the most exciting element of the Connections Project is what you can receive once its tour is over.
That’s because, after viewing the mosaic mural, you can forge a permanent connection to it — and to the Keys arts community — by making one (or more) of its canvases part of your own art collection. Just donate $35 to receive a single canvas or $100 for three. You can choose to donate at any reception (click here for reception dates and times), or online at keysarts.com.
After the traveling tour’s conclusion, donors will receive a randomly selected piece (or pieces) of the mosaic by mail. Each one will include a statement from its artist, offering insights into the work and the inspiration for it.
The proceeds from the Connections Project benefit Keys artists and arts organizations through arts council grants — making further positive “connections” that mean the lively creative community will continue to span the island chain.
