LEARN ABOUT THE LIFE OF ARTIST STANLEY PAPIO

‘HAPPY HOUR WITH THE HISTORIAN’ TAKES PLACE JUNE 15

Holly Joy Eddleston recently presented a $500 check to the Florida Keys Wildlife Society from the proceeds of her book, “Can a Key Deer Save Christmas?”

The book has been so successful that this is the second $500 donation Holly has made to the society.

Eddleston is a junior in high school and splits her time between Duck Key and Rhode Island. Her book is about a Key deer that helps Santa and his reindeer deliver gifts in the Florida Keys.

Eddleston is well on the way to publishing a second book featuring other iconic Keys wildlife.

She first learned about Florida’s Key deer while living on Duck Key. One night on a drive back from Key West with her family, she encountered a small group of Key deer peacefully grazing on Big Pine Key. She was later surprised to learn there are fewer than 800 in existence. That fact, along with their incredible cuteness, gave her two ideas: to create a Christmas story that showcases Key deer, and inspire others to support their protection. She hopes this story teaches children about the beautiful Florida Keys islands and the many amazing animals that live here and need conservation.

The book, available in hard or soft cover, can be purchased from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or the Nature Store at the Nature Center on Big Pine Key.

— Contributed

Raise a toast to Florida Keys art and history with Key West Art & Historical Society curator and historian Cori Convertito on Thursday, June 15, from 5 to 6 p.m. during her “Happy Hour with the Historian” program at Comedy Key West, 218 Whitehead St. Enjoy a free draft beer, glass of house wine or soft drink while Convertito presents “With a Rebel Yell: The Life & Art of Stanley Papio,” exploring the rebellious welderturned-metal-artist who transformed other people’s junk into works of art.

Papio was 34 when he settled in Key Largo in 1949. He had worked a series of odd jobs across Canada and the United States; his favorite of these was welding. He started his own welding business along U.S. 1 at MM 101 and encouraged people to leave old cars, washing machines, trailers, motors and pieces of scrap metal in his yard.

Papio once remarked that “a bunch of junk is a welder’s glory. Buying new stuff is not a welder’s way.” He breathed life into this old junk. Trash piles assumed new identities. Car fenders became alligators. Dishwashers became people. Eventually, he constructed his own folk art environment using bed springs to create a fence around his property. He re-named his welding shop “Stanley’s Art Museum,” and charged 25 cents admission, creating a lawn of folk art for travelers on the nearby highway to view with amazement.

“Papio was a quirky Keys character who settled in Key Largo before most of the large hotels and businesses were established,” said Convertito. “As the population swelled and en- croached on his property, complaints were logged with the local authorities by the newly arrived residents that his welding business was an eyesore. Annoyed with the neighbors, Papio grabbed the discarded appliances and cars on his property and created caustic and satirical pieces of artwork representing his neighbors, as a way of fighting back.”

The imagination and resourcefulness of Papio is what inspired the Key West Art & Historical Society’s annual Stanley Papio Kinetic Sculpture and Art Bike Parade. Each spring, the society encourages the community to take objects that would otherwise be discarded and create art with parts that move for a parade that travels the length of Duval Street.

“Happy Hour with the Historian” is limited to 70 attendees; reserve your spot now at kwahs.org/rebelpapio. The cost is $12 for KWAHS members, $15 for non-members.