Old Island Days Art Festival

The 47th annual Old Island Days Art Festival is a juried fine art show set on lower Whitehead Street and Caroline Street in historic Old Town. The highly acclaimed show, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, features oil paintings, watercolors, sculpture, photography and other offerings by artists from around the United States. Visitors can leisurely browse the beautiful displays of paintings from watercolor to oil and acrylic, decorative sculpture, photography and other fine arts from the selected artists. Tropical themes are abundant here, but contemporary and traditional styles make something for everyone! The weather is forecast to be fabulous so put your strolling shoes on and join in on the fun. The festival dates are February 25-26, 10am-5pm. For more information on artists and the Key West Art Center visit: http://www.keywestartcenter.com/festival.html. See you there!

Garden Fest 2012

Closer to Cuba than we are to the mainland, Key West is a tropical island bursting with tropical plants and flowers that you'll find nowhere in the US, except Hawaii. Maybe you didn't know that Key West is in Hardiness Zone 11 (you gardeners out there understand). Miami is in Hardiness Zone 10. The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden is hosting its annual Garden Fest, featuring a unique tropical plant show. It is a great way to mingle with locals, learn about the tropical eco-system and enjoy all the amazing plants! Orchids, banana trees, bamboo, various palms and other warm-loving tropical & native species will boast their individual colors and beauty. Of course it is not an island party without a beer garden! Take advantage of the glorious weather and after exploring the gardens relax and have lunch in the Beer Garden. Also featured at the Garden Fest will be local arts and crafts as well as eco-friendly products for sale, promoting a greener cleaner future. The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden is located at: 5210 College Road, Stock Island. The Garden Fest is open to the public February 18 & 19, 10am-4pm. $5 donation at door. For more information call 305-296-1504 visit http://www.kwbgs.org/events.asp

Historic Home and Garden Tours, Feb 17&18.

Certainly Key West's conch cottages, grand mansions and historic homes add to the unique nature of our little island city. For such a small city, Key West is home to an amazing array of breathtaking architecture that spans over generations. Thanks to the lack of money in the early 1900's and then a few smart people who strove to preserve the old island homes in the 60's and 70's, Key West now offers an old world charm that attracts and enchants people. Evey year the Old Island Restoration Foundation hosts the Historic Home and Garden Tour, allowing visitors to go inside and explore some of the islands most amazing homes. The next tour date is February 17 and 18 from 10am-4pm. If you have never had the opportunity to go on one of these tours it is well worth the $25 ticket and a super way to really explore Key West and learn some of its tales and history. The upcoming tour has 5 homes listed plus 2 bonus locations. The first bonus location is the Old Firehouse that is not even open to the public yet. Soon to be opening as a Firehouse Museum, tour 1907 structure and see the steam powered horse drawn fire truck that served Key West. The second bonus location is the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden where your ticket will allow you free admission to GardenFest 2012, where you can join in on the plant and art fair and learn the history of the gardens themselves, once a WPA project to lure visitors to the keys. To see a listing of the 5 homes on the tour and more information visit: http://www.oirf.org/event.php?id=6. To purchase tickets visit the site or call 305-294-9501.

Take an ART WALK

Who knows if it is the tropical breezes, or the beatnik style watering holes or the sordid history of pirates, rum runners and hurricanes, but Key West lures artists of all sorts to work and play within. During the winter months Key West is alive with artist receptions, art shows, craft fairs and the like. If you have never spent time meandering through the numerous galleries, antique stores and boutiques now is the time to do it. There are numerous 'Art Walks' that happen throughout the winter months, giving you the opportunity to explore eclectic Key West neighborhoods and lose yourself among the multifarious art forms. In the winter, the first Thursday of every month hosts an Art Walk along Caroline St. from 6-9 and the first Friday of every month is an Art Walk from 6-9pm on upper Duval St as well as an Art Walk from 6-9pm on the blocks of Fleming and Southard St. Then on the third Thursday of every month is the well known Walk on White, also from 6-9pm along White Street. Wander through the galleries, boutiques and restaurants enjoying the mild tropical weather, sipping on a chardonnay while taking in the amazing variety and talent of Artists within Key West. For more information on the variety of Art Walks, Artist Receptions and the specifics on participating galleries and locations visit
http://www.keysarts.com/your_visit/weekly.html.

Who knows if it is the tropical breezes, or the beatnick style watering holes or the sorid history of pirates, rum runners and hurricanes but Key West