FLORIDA KEYS COUNCIL OF THE ARTS
Press Release
Contact: Liz Young
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 305-295-4369
01/31/19

Big Pine Key welcomes the Connections Project 2019 TOUR
7th Annual Arts Event Premieres in Big Pine Key on March 15th

The Florida Keys Council of the Arts works to support all the arts, in all the Keys, all the time. The local arts agency has launched its seventh annual Connections Project road show with the next opening reception at the beautiful Artists in Paradise Gallery located in the Winn Dixie Shopping Plaza in Big Pine on Friday, March 15th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm featuring a vibrant 24-foot mosaic mural created by local artists and art lovers. The reception, with festive hors d’ouevres, desserts, libations and entertainment, is open to the public.

The Connections Project is one of the Arts Council’s more innovative fundraising activities connecting community members with local arts and cultural initiatives. The Arts Council provides a 6x6 blank canvas to local professional artists and artistic residents who then create a piece of art. “People of all abilities and skill levels are encouraged to participate,” said Florida Keys Arts Council Executive Director Elizabeth Young. “We offer workshops for non-artists, led by local artists. And, we’re privileged to have more than 100 professional Keys artists contributing a piece of art to Connections Project 2019.”

Once the nearly 400 completed canvases are collected, the monster mosaic is assembled by volunteers and taken on the road from Key Largo to Key West for seven art receptions and exhibitions. All receptions run from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Exhibits are open during regular business hours of the Arts Council business partner’s locations. The Connection Project road show is sponsored in part by Royal Furniture. The mosaic mural will be on exhibition in each location for about two weeks before going on the road to the next event.

After connecting with the art, patrons can also collect art by making a $50 donation for one canvas or a $125 donation for three at any reception or online at www.keysarts.com. Once the road show has ended, donors receive a randomly selected piece of the mosaic in the mail. Each work includes an artist statement providing insight into the origin of the work and the artist’s thoughts and inspiration.
Proceeds from Connections Project directly benefit Keys’ artists and arts organizations through Arts Council grants, including the Artists in Schools grant and a Special Projects grant.

For more information call the Florida Keys Council of the Arts at 305.295.4369 or visit www.keysarts.com.

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