FKCC Students & Teachers Exhibit New Artwork

The Florida Keys Council of the Arts invites you to an opening reception for a new visual art exhibit on Friday, March 5th at 5:00 p.m. in the Gato Building located at 1100 Simonton Street, Key West. The exhibit presents the artwork of teachers and their students currently enrolled in the art program at the Florida Keys Community College. Jay Gogin, ceramic artist and FKCC teacher will be serving his famous paella in the courtyard until 7:00 p.m. On display will be cutting edge works in raku, high fire and wood fire by Jay’s top ceramic students. Students of professional photographer, Alexander Holst will exhibit a selection of works that are primarily digital. Holst who uses a large format view camera as well as digital cameras will show some of his current work concentrating on subjects in nature. The exhibit will also highlight individual projects by the advanced students of Anne Labriola’s still life and life drawing classes. Ms. Labriola, who is known for her large scale environmental sculptures, will exhibit photographs of her two and a half mile rock drawing in the desert. Featured at the opening will be renowned glass blower Wes Hunting, a visiting artist at the college, and the art department’s current guest artist, Hiro Tachima, an avant-garde sculptor from Japan. The exhibition is dedicated to Elolina Gato, who has been a significant inspiration for the artists and is a descendant of E.H. Gato, who established the Gato Cigar Factory in 1884. The exhibit which continues through March 25th on the first floor of the Gato building, is free and open to the public Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. For more information call the Arts Council [phone removed]; www.keysarts.com.