Klir Beck
Originally from Maine, Beck studied at the Art Student's League of New York. As state artist of Maine, he executed many projects for the Maine Planning Board, as well as numerous woodcarvings at the Washington, D.C. zoo.
Florida Keys Council of the Arts
89 artworks and historic sites, at the 49 points the county map pins. Every photograph and caption here is the Council's own.
See them on the county mapFour stretches of the chain, north to south. Open the one you are standing on, or click its button on the map. Every photograph and caption is the Council's own.
Marathon Library and Adult Education Center
Murals By Michael Kirby of Murals of Baltimore
Stained Glass by the McMow Art Glass Team
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The Art in Public Places program brings visual art into the everyday lives of Florida Keys residents and visitors. It was established by Monroe County ordinance in 2001, which allocates one percent of the construction cost of new county buildings and major restorations to commissioning artwork for them. The committee is appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, and the Florida Keys Council of the Arts serves as its staff.
The Council oversees the maintenance and conservation of the collection, working with artists, conservators and county facilities staff.
54 works of art in 14 Monroe County buildings, commissioned under the county's one percent for art ordinance and owned by the public. North to south, Key Largo down to Key West. Click a work for its own page, or a building name for everything inside it.
Marathon Library and Adult Education Center
Murals By Michael Kirby of Murals of Baltimore
Stained Glass by the McMow Art Glass Team
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The Council runs two things that sound alike. Art in Public Places is the permanent collection above: artwork commissioned for Monroe County buildings under the county's one percent for art ordinance, and it stays where it is installed.
Art in Public Buildings is the other one. Rather than commissioning work, it borrows it, and hangs it on a rotation in civic buildings around the Keys so that county offices, courthouses and clinics show real art by Keys artists. It has been organized by volunteers.
We are checking which venues are on the rotation now before listing them here. If you are an artist who would like to show work this way, or you want to know what is currently hanging, email info@keysarts.com or call 305-295-4369.
Art in Public Places Committee
Florida Keys Council of the Arts
1100 Simonton Street, Key West, FL 33040
Phone: (305) 295-4369
Email: info@keysarts.com
The vision of Key West philanthropists Mr. John Padget and the late Mr. Jacob Dekker launched the public art sculpture trail project in 2017 along U.S. 1, the Overseas Highway, an All-American Road. The trail features 19 sculptures created by The Art Students League of New York's Works in Public program, and is a generous gift to the residents and visitors of Monroe County, Florida.
The Art Students League of New York is one of America's premier art schools. It was founded in 1875 by artists, for artists, to provide affordable studio-based art education of the highest quality. Great artists have trained, taught, and exhibited at the League throughout its rich history. Classes, lectures, workshops, exhibitions, and professional development programs continue the League's legacy of supporting students who intend to make art a profession and cultivating a spirit of community among artists. Among its prominent instructors and students, the League counts Thomas Eakins, Frederic Remington and Reginald Marsh, Georgia O'Keeffe, Norman Rockwell, and Jackson Pollock.
The Council is the acting Public Art Administrator for both the Monroe County and City of Key West's prestigious 1% for Public Art programs. Executive Director Elizabeth Young and Art in Public Places County Chair Susann D'Antonio co-curated the Florida Keys Sculpture Trail on behalf of benefactors John Padget and the late Jacob Dekker.
In the 1930s the Works Progress Administration and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration put artists to work in the Florida Keys. Murals, bas reliefs, watercolors and prints from that decade are still here, in libraries and courthouses and bars and museums, most of them free to walk in and see.
The Council mapped 16 of them for a printed brochure, researched by Malcolm Ross. This is that list, with 14 of the sites placed on the map above. The numbers are the Council's own and have not been changed.
Mile Marker 102, Key Largo
Second floor hall contains five bas reliefs by Joan van Breeman.
Mile Marker 82, Islamorada
Designed by Harold Lawson and executed by Lampbert Bemelmann, and constructed with WPA funds as a memorial to victims of the 1935 Labor Day hurricane.
Mile Marker 82, Islamorada Branch.
Originally built by the WPA as a school and hurricane shelter in 1936. It contains six bas reliefs by Joan van Breeman.
State Road 4A, Islamorada
Twenty-three houses originally constructed with WPA and Red Cross funds for victims who lost homes in the 1935 hurricane.
Twenty-three separate houses spread along the old State Road 4A, not one address, so this is listed rather than pinned.
Florida Keys Community College, 2nd Floor, Building A, Key West
"Portable" mural by Erik Johan Smith. Originally installed in the 3.2 Cafe, Duval and Petronia Streets, Key West.
Since then: The college is now the College of the Florida Keys. The archive text predates the 2024 renaming.
White Street and Truman Avenue, Key West
Two bas reliefs by Joan van Breeman.
1302 White Street, Key West
Originally Key West High School. Contains William Hoffman murals depicting discovery of Key West by Spanish explorers, and the building of the Overseas Railroad. (Limited access. Please stop in office before viewing.)
Since then: The building is now Key West City Hall. It was Glynn Archer Elementary when the Council wrote this, and the murals stayed through the conversion.
Whitehead Street and Truman Avenue, Key West
FERA artifacts and prints by Erik Smith and Stanley Wood.
530 Whitehead Street, Key West
Commissioner McCoy's office. Three watercolors by Walton Blodgett.
500 Fleming Street, 2nd. Floor, Key West
Large painting by Adrian Dornbush, and a later painting by William Hoffman. (Please call ahead in order to view.)
Since then: A working law office. The archive asked visitors to call ahead; we have not republished the phone number. Contact the firm directly.
No street-number match we could verify, so this is listed rather than pinned.
410 Caroline Street, Key West
Watercolors and prints by Alfred Crimi, F. Townsend Morgan, Stanley Wood, and Martha Sauer, and FERA artifacts.
606 Greene Street, Key West
Showcasing current, as well as early, works by former FERA artist Henry La Cagnina.
Since then: A commercial gallery. Check its opening hours before visiting.
201 Duval Street, Key West
Reproduction of painting by Erik Smith; original in the collection of the Key West Art & Historical Society.
2 Whitehead Street, Key West
Begun with Civil Works Administration funds and completed in 1935 with FERA funds. Contains reproductions os some original frescoes by FERA artist Alfred Crimi.
301 Front Street, Key West
One of 66 community art centers administered by the WPA throughout the U.S., where art classes were taught and gallery space provided.
Mallory Square, Key West
Bust of Julius Stone, FERA administrator and creator of the Key West Art Project.
Several of these sites are working offices, private businesses or schools. Check opening hours, and ask at the desk before looking around. The artists are below.
The 19 artists whose Depression-era work survives in the Keys. These biographies are the Council's own, written for its printed brochure.
Originally from Maine, Beck studied at the Art Student's League of New York. As state artist of Maine, he executed many projects for the Maine Planning Board, as well as numerous woodcarvings at the Washington, D.C. zoo.
No information is known about this contributor who executed the design of Harold Lawson for the Islamorada Hurricane Monument.
Born in Ohio, Blodgett attended Grand Central Art School in New York, where he also studied under George Luks. His Key West work went to U.S. government buildings in Washington, D.C. and around the world. His illustrations also appeared in Fortune, Art News, and Scribners Magazine, and his work was exhibited at galleries and museums throughout the country.
Born in Sicily, Crimi studied fresco painting in Rome, and was a member of the National Academy of Design. He created a fresco at the Post Office Department in Washington, D.C., as well as numerous other murals and mosaics around the country. His work has been exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art, the Chicago Art Institute and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He also has been an instructor at the City College of New York, Pratt Institute and Pennsylvania State University.
Born in the Netherlands, Dornbush studied in Europe and at Wisconsin University. He lectured at the Chicago Art Institute and exhibited his work in international watercolor shows. He was the first director of the Key West artists group.
Originally from Savannah, Hoffman studied at the Art Student's League of New York, as well as in Munich and Paris. With his first wife, Martine, he painted murals in the Carnegie Library in Savannah. Hoffman left Key West in 1936, working as a designer for Philco. In 1965, he retired and returned to Key West with his wife, Julia.
From Milwaukee, Jansen studied in Milwaukee and at the Art Student's League in New York. He taught at the Layton School of Art, exhibited in many leading watercolor shows, and was a contributor to Fortune.
From Illinois, and a graduate of Wheaton College and the Chicago Art Institute, Johnson was a member of many watercolor societies. His work has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and is represented in numerous private collections, including that of the late president, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Johnson also taught at the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts, as well as other New Jersey Venues.
Born in New York, La Cagnina studied at Copper Union, the Phoenix Art Institute, and under numerous artists, including Norman Rockwell. He was associated with leading decorators in New York, and specialized in tapestries, screens and murals. He currently lives in North Carolina.
Born in Cleveland, Laufman studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Art Student's League of New York. In the 1920s, he painted and exhibited in Europe, and his work is represented in the Whitney and Cleveland Museums and many private collections.
No information is known about him except for his design of the Islamorada Hurricane Monument.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Morgan studied at Pratt Institute and the Art Student's League of New York. He is best known for his etchings shown in major print exhibitions. He succeeded Adrian Dornbush as the Director of Key West's artists group, and also worked as an instructor of printmaking during the latter phases of the WPA Art Program.
From Wisconsin, Rotier studied at the Art Student's League of New York and the Chicago Academy. He taught at the Milwaukee Art Institute and exhibited in New York, Chicago, Washington and international watercolor shows.
From Illinois, Sargent studied at the Washington Studio School and the Corcoran Academy. His work has been exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art and the Corcoran. He is best known as a watercolorist, and contributed frequently to Fortune and created many covers for the Saturday Evening Post.
From Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Sauer studied with Henry Hensche and James Kirk Merrick. In 1938, she began teaching watercolor and weaving at Key West Art Center. She currently lives in Key West.
Born in the U.S., Smith studied in France, Italy and Sweden. His work is found in many private collections, as well as New York's Whitney Museum and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
From Holly Springs, Mississippi, Taylor studied at the St. Louis School of Art, and taught drawing and painting at the Key West Art Center. She directed excavation of East Martello Tower and became the first curator of the East Martello Museum.
The scarce biographical information indicates that Van Breeman lived in South Florida.
From Carmel, California, Wood studied at Dexel and the Philadelphia School of Architecture, and taught at the California College of Fine Arts. His paintings have been in the Brooklyn and Cleveland Museums, the San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts, and many private collections. He also worked in almost every phase of pictoral arts, as well in architecture, and was a frequent contributor to Fortune. click here to close window
Art in Public Places
Dwayne King 2017
As the Council published itLiz Young pictured with Easel in honor and memory of Cris Sandifer, by artist Dwayne King, 2017
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Bailey Cypress 2017-2018
The Council publishes no title for this work.
As the Council published itArtist Bailey Cypress with her mosaics of the Wurdemann’s Heron and Roseate Spoonbill, 2017-2018
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Cris Sandifer
As the Council published itCris Sandifer - "Man's Influence on the Upper Keys" - a series of six paintings Historical Brochure
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Alan S. Maltz
As the Council published itAlan S. Maltz, Series of 4 fine art photographs "Close Encounters
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Stephen Frink
As the Council published itStephen Frink, Series of 7 fine art photographs mounted on a NOAA Navigational Map " Underwater Wonderland"
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Xavier Cortada
As the Council published itXaviar Cortada "Native Canopy"- Dye Sublimation on Fabric
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John David Hawver
As the Council published itJohn David Hawver, "Mangrove Canopy" - Painting
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Tom Virgin
The Council publishes no title for this work.
As the Council published itRelief Sculpture – Tom Virgin
Art in Public Places
Xavier Cortada
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As the Council published itPaintings – Xavier Cortada
Art in Public Places
Nestor Madalengoitia
The Council publishes no title for this work.
As the Council published itMural - Nestor Madalengoitia
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Lori Nozick
As the Council published itLori Nozick - "Sea & Sky" Patinated Steel Panels
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Maureen Melville
As the Council published itMaureen Melville - "The Restless Sea" Fine Art Cotton Quilt
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Lothar Speer
As the Council published itLothar Speer - "Justice"
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Dayton Claudio
As the Council published itDayton Claudio -"Paradise 88.8" Oil Paint and clay forms on canvas
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John David Hawver
The Council publishes no title for this work.
As the Council published itJohn David Hawver - "Good Morning Islamorada" Oil painting with pastels
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Sally Binard
As the Council published itSally Binard- "The Bounty of Plantation Key" Multimedia acrylic and oil paint, clay forms on wood
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Christian Eckart
As the Council published itChristian Eckart "Horizon Event" Dichroic Glass with anodized aluminum
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Debra Yates
As the Council published itConference Room Mural - Debra Yates
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Rick Worth
As the Council published itHallway Mural - Rick Worth
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John David Hawver
As the Council published itPaintings - John David Hawver
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Carlos Alves and JC Carroll
As the Council published it"Bubbles" by Carlos Alves and JC Carroll
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Shawn Trentlage and Darcy Ferrill
As the Council published it“Keys Whimsy” by local artists Shawn Trentlage and Darcy Ferrill
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Colin Selig 2015-2016
The Council publishes no title for this work.
As the Council published itColin Selig benches, made of regionally sourced sustainable construction material- propane tanks. Installed 2015-2016.
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Nestor Madalengoitia
The Council publishes no title for this work.
Art in Public Places
Michael Kirby
The Council publishes no title for this work.
Art in Public Places
McMow Art Glass
The Council publishes no title for this work.
Art in Public Places
David Harrison Wright 2014
Art in Public Places
J. H. Allen
As the Council published it“So much Fun!” Fresco by J. H. Allen
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Stephanie Jaffe
As the Council published it“To the Park”, glass and ceramic mosaic by Stephanie Jaffe
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Lucy Paige
As the Council published it“Free Play”, acrylic and paper on wood, by Lucy Paige
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Marlene Koenig 2017
As the Council published itAirport Barriers created by artist Marlene Koenig, 2017
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Team McMow July 2014
As the Council published itEtched Glass in Departure Terminal "A Walk in Paradise" by Team McMow -July 2014
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Garry Price
As the Council published itGarry Price "Circles Meeting in Light" - Carved Steel & Cast Glass
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Dick Moody
As the Council published itDick Moody, "Monoplane" - Stainless Steel Sculpture 1/2 scale of original plane to fly from Key West to Havana in 1913
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Debra Yates
As the Council published itDebra Yates, Mixed Media Mural " Sunset Celebration"
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Kim and Ian Workman
As the Council published itKim and Ian Workman - "Back Country" - Gyotaku on hand-made paper, mounted on canvas panels.
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C.J. Groth
As the Council published itC.J. Groth "A Walk in Old Town." A series of Six Fine Art Photographs
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Elena Ortega
As the Council published itElena Ortega's "Florida Keys Fauna" A Series of Four Marouflaged Animalia.
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Team McMow 2009
As the Council published itKey West Airport Terminal - March 19, 2009 - First installation of artwork,"The Excursion," by Team McMow working from 9 p.m. - 5 a.m. for three nights in a row!
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Rick Worth 1999
As the Council published itRick Worth, "The Nitch" 1999 Mural, restored in 2010
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Nancy Holcomb 1999
As the Council published itNancy Holcomb, "In the Beginning..." 1999 Ceramic Mural
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James Racchi 1999
Art in Public Places
Charles Pearson & Timothy Roeder
The Council publishes no title for this work.
As the Council published itCharles Pearson & Timothy Roeder - Whitehead Street Pottery, Untitled Raku-Fired Clay Tile
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Sal Salinero 1999
As the Council published itSal Salinero, "Key West Sunset" - 1999 Oil on Canvas
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James T. Russell
As the Council published it“Epic Duet” stainless steel sculpture; James T. Russell, pictured with Shirley Freeman
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Reen Stanhouse
As the Council published itReen Stanhouse -"Island Home," Etched Elevator Doors
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Stephen Ochs and Gerald Taylor
As the Council published it"Images in Concrete", Stephen Ochs and Gerald Taylor
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Keith Oliver
As the Council published itKeith Oliver - "Star Witness," - mosaic
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Daniel Lawler
As the Council published itDaniel Lawler- "The Florida Keys - Historical Montage"-above left; "Then and Now" - above right; "Key West Custom House Circa 1920" - bottom left; "The Old Courthouse - Circa 1920" - bottom right
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Daniel Lawler
As the Council published itDaniel Lawler- "The Florida Keys - Historical Montage"-above left; "Then and Now" - above right; "Key West Custom House Circa 1920" - bottom left; "The Old Courthouse - Circa 1920" - bottom right
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Daniel Lawler
As the Council published itDaniel Lawler- "The Florida Keys - Historical Montage"-above left; "Then and Now" - above right; "Key West Custom House Circa 1920" - bottom left; "The Old Courthouse - Circa 1920" - bottom right
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Daniel Lawler
As the Council published itDaniel Lawler- "The Florida Keys - Historical Montage"-above left; "Then and Now" - above right; "Key West Custom House Circa 1920" - bottom left; "The Old Courthouse - Circa 1920" - bottom right
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