February 6, 2023 – (KEY WEST, FL). Key West Art & Historical Society welcomes the public to a special reception on February 24 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to celebrate the work of 43 Florida Keys female artists featured in the “From a Woman’s Hand” exhibit at the Key West Museum of Art & History, 281 Front Street. The biannual exhibit juried by arts community leaders Jane Grannis, Martha Resk, Lois Songer, and Cori Convertito, Ph.D. illuminates the remarkable achievements of women artists who have been marginalized for centuries. Gender bias is less obvious today, but contemporary women artists still face many barriers and disparities, as well as continual underrepresentation in museum collections and exhibitions worldwide.
“Our mission is to promote and elevate the humanities and arts of the Florida Keys, including emphasis on the role of women in our society,” says Society Curator Cori Convertito. “This exhibit features strong, thought-provoking pieces created by female artists in our community. The breadth and depth of the artists’ originality and imagination is astonishing.”
Among them are Lauren McAloon displaying her newest ceramic and brass sculpture in her Vessel Series entitled Rock-a Bye, American Watercolor Society signature member Sandy Mezinis exhibiting a new watercolor piece entitled Emmy, and Lower Keys photographer Lynne Bentley-Kemp with her photograph entitled Vincent Catches the Sun. Museum visitors will also discover fresh artwork and mediums by artists whose works are rarely exhibited in Florida Keys.
“It is brilliant to work with all of the artists represented in the exhibit; they offer a dynamic view of everything that surrounds us – nature, people, experiences and materials,” says Convertito. “The quality and diversity of the artwork continually excites me.”
“From a Woman’s Hand” runs until April 16 and is sponsored by the Florida Department of State, Division of Arts & Culture and The Helmerich Trust. For more information, call Cori Convertito, Ph.D. at 305-295-6616 x 507 or [email protected]. Your Museums. Your Community. It Takes an Island.
###
IMAGE 1: Ibis Beach by artist Lucy Hawk is one of the works that will be on display in the 2023 edition of the “From a Woman’s Hand” exhibit which opens with a special reception at the Key West Museum of Art & History on the evening of Friday, February 24. (Photo Credit: Key West Art & Historical Society)
