ARTS COUNCIL HOSTS ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

COUNTY’S 200TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION KICKS OFF

County officials, board members and advisors descended on historic Pigeon Key on Jan. 26 for the Florida Keys Council of the Arts’ annual meeting. Attendees included Monroe County Mayor Pro Tem Holly Merrill Raschein, the board of county commissioners’ liaison for the council.

The membership meeting included unveiling “Culture,” an annual magazine placed in hotel rooms and other locations for visitors to learn about cultural events and activities throughout the Florida Keys. Monroe County Mayor Craig Cates does the welcome message in the magazine.

In addition to the magazine’s calendar of cultural events, two local writers have featured stories. Historian and Keys Weekly columnist Brad Bertelli exposes “The Florida Keys: Historic Lighthouses, Island Wonders and Natural Beauty,” while Jill Zima Borski chronicles “200 Years of the Florida Keys” in her piece. Each spoke at the membership meeting.

The county is celebrating its 200-year anniversary this year, and the Florida Keys Council of the Arts is helping celebrate by including bicentennial themes in its annual events.

The 2023 “Connections Project” is also celebrating 200 years of the Florida Keys. The project will include 300 unique art pieces on 6- by 8-inch canvases that will travel from Key Largo to Key West from Feb. 7 to April 20. Receptions will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at the following locations and are open to the public:

– Baker’s Cay Resort, Key Largo, Tuesday, Feb. 7

– Royal Furniture showroom, Marathon, March 2

– Artists in Paradise Gallery, Big Pine Key, March 24

– Historic Gato Building lobby, Key West, April 20

To view the “Culture” magazine, visit fla-keys.com/pdf/culture/CultureMag2023.pdf. To learn more about the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, visit keysarts.com. — Contributed saturday, Feb 4th

4 pm - 11 pm

4-6 happy hour drink specials

LIVE MUSIC JUNKANOO PIZZA BAR

FIRE DANCERS

FOOD BY BONGOS

$10 ticket with Marathon ID