The Florida Keys Council of the Arts is proud to present “Side by Side on Simonton” on Friday, November 7^th from 4:00 to 8:00 at two locations just a (free) parking lot apart! The celebrations will feature visual art and performing arts as well as wonderful food and libations. In the Gato Building (1100 Simonton) the Opening Reception for a portrait show titled “One Human Family” by the ReMARCable Citizens of the MARC House art program begins at 4:00. The show features portraits of many local politicians and celebrities both famous and infamous. J.T. Thompson (art director of Solares Hill Design Group and creator of the One Human Family philosophy) says, “these exuberant portraits express a colorful vitality and are pure joy to experience!”

Next door at the Bottle Cap Lounge there will ongoing entertainment, raffles and prizes during the Happy Hour where all TIPS collected will benefit the Arts Council.  Each Friday, the Bottle Cap Lounge hosts a not-for-profit organization, where fundraising can happen in an after work social setting.  The Art Council’s summer Aqua Idol competition winner, Vanessa DiGennaro and finalists Mary Deasy and Maj Johnson will perform along with other great local talent, Melody Cooper, dancers Lucy & Leon, Dr. John and Francine Kreinces,  Dennis Madsen and Sue Currie, Kyla Piscopink and a few surprise guests. The Arts Council also promises to have some patrons of the arts and local politicians, past and present, as Celebrity Bartenders.  Many of these politicians will also be delighted to see their portraits hanging on the walls of the Gato building! 

The MARC House Art program under the direction of Doug Morris began 3 years ago as a program to benefit the citizens of the MARC House. The original seed money for the program came from a grant by the Arts Council, and it is with great pride and pleasure that the reception and show will hang in the Gato Building. “We’ve been extremely pleased with the direction of the ReMARCable Art Program as well as the wonderful pieces that our Marc Family members have created. It gives them a great sense of accomplishment to see their pieces enjoyed by others” states MARC Executive Director Diana Flenard. “We are looking forward to this upcoming show”.

The Florida Keys Council of the Arts supports visual, literary and performing artists and cultural organizations throughout the Keys. We connect these artists to each other and to their audiences. We promote Arts & Culture in our quarterly KeysArts brochure, daily on our website www.keysarts.com and weekly in the KeysArts email newsletters. We give scholarships and grants in all aspects of the performing and visual Arts.

Join us in Celebrating the Arts!

Questions - call Elizabeth Young at 305-295-4369; e-mail director@keysarts.com