CONNECT TO THE ARTS

THIS WEEK

May 14 - 21

THEATER

The Siegel

Thursday through Saturday, until May 24, 8 p.m. (Sundays 3 p.m.)

Marathon Community Theatre

5101 Overseas Hwy. Marathon

The story follows a lovesick Ethan who plans to ask Alice's parents for permission to marry her, but there's one caveat: Ethan and Alice broke up two years ago. Alice, reeling from having worked for a failed political candidate, is seeing someone else, but Ethan remains undaunted.

For more information, click HERE.

FESTIVALS AND FUNDRAISERS

Blue Star Museums: History of Diving Museum Guided Tour free for Active Military

Saturday, May 17, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

To honor and thank those serving in the military, on Armed Forces Day the History of Diving Museum will hold complimentary guided tours included with your admission. This date also marks the beginning of the 2025 Blue Star Museums Program, which offers free admission to active-duty military and up to five members of their family. Blue Star Museums begins on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 17 and ends on Labor Day, Monday, September 1.

History of Diving Museum extends free admission to Islamorada residents

Wednesday, May 21, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

The History of Diving Museum will be extending free admission to all Islamorada residents. Be sure to take advantage of this offer by coming to see the grand opening of our new exhibit, Celebrating 20 Years! Featured exhibit. The Museum will be open from 10 AM to 6:45 PM, with the exhibit ribbon-cutting ceremony at 6:30 PM.

History of Diving Museum

82990 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada

Click HERE for more information.

ARTIST MARKETS

Waterfront Farmers Market

Thursday, May 15 (Every Thursday), 2 - 7 p.m.

Farmer's Market

Truman Waterfront Park, Key West

(end of Southard Street)

Culinary, beverages, produce, seafood, apparel, gifts, and art.

For more info contact Sean@dailyplan-it.net

Island Home: Local Artisan & Gourmet Market

Friday, May 16 (Every Friday), 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Island Home

88720 Overseas Hwy, Tavernier

Pick up and indulge in Artisan Breads, Local Honey, Nut Butters, Homemade Jams, Oils, Spreads, Dried Fruits & Veggies, Baked Goods, and more!

ARTIST RECEPTIONS

Key West Collective Turns Four

Wednesday, May 14, 5 -7 p.m.

Key West Collective

720 Caroline St., Key West

Visitors often remark on the cheerful and inviting atmosphere of Key West Collective – there's just "something about the vibe" that keeps people coming back. Even though it’s been over 18 months since Rachel Ligon’s passing, her spirit of warmth and her passion for art continue to infuse every corner of the gallery.

A key part of that welcoming feeling comes from our wonderful gallery manager, Theresa Finer. With her genuinely sunny disposition and infectious smile, Theresa greets everyone like an old – or new! – friend. As one of Rachel's dearest friends, Theresa carries forth that bright spirit, her kindness and enthusiasm evident in every interaction.

Click HERE for more information.

ARTISTS OF KEY WEST…

25 Years of Expression

Wednesday, May 21, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Jag Gallery

1075 Duval St C-23, Key West

Celebrating more than 25 Key West artists who have been sharing creativity and making and exhibiting art while maintaining and contributing to the foundation of the Key West art community and it’s artistic flavor and heritage for 25 years or more. The exhibition of painting, photography and sculpture also includes personal reflections from the artists, revealing what a Key West artist has meant, and how our tropical paradise continues to inspire them, their work and creative instincts.

Click HERE for more information.

Celebrating 20 Years! Immerse Yourself & Exhibit Opening

Wednesday, May 21, 5:45 - 6:45 p.m.

History of Diving Museum

82990 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada

Click HERE for more information.

ART STROLLS

Walk On White

Thursday, May 15 , 6 - 9 p.m.

White Street between Southard and United Streets

White Street Gallery District, Key West

Enjoy exhibition opening receptions, open artist studios, pottery-throwing demos, locally-made art, special events, promotions, and complimentary libations from local galleries, studios, and over 25 art-loving businesses in the White Street Gallery District.

Click HERE for more information.

Morada Way Arts & Cultural District Art Walk

Thursday, May 15, 6 - 9 p.m.

151 Morada Way, MM 81.5, Islamorada

Held every month on the 3rd Thursday throughout the year, offering live music, performance artists and original art and hand-crafted jewelry, sculptures and more.

Click HERE for more information.

CALL TO ARTISTS

Call To Artists for the POOLSIDE 2025 juried show

Deadline July 31

Jag Gallery

1075 Duval St., Space C23, Key West

Jag Gallery announces a Call To Artists for the POOLSIDE 2025 juried show. Now in its 6th year, the call is for 2 and 3D original artwork including painting, photography, sculpture, and drawing with "swimming pool" as part of the subject or main subject. POOLSIDE 2025 runs from August 9th - 31st Prizes awarded.

Click HERE for Entry and full details.

Martha Watson Sauer Scholarship

For high school seniors of KW planning to study the arts

Deadline May 23

The $2,500 in total scholarship funds may be awarded to one Visual Arts student or divided among two deserving students and is intended for serious Key West high school students who wish to pursue an advanced degree in studio art and exhibit Martha's adventurous spirit, her powers of observation, her boundless curiosity about the world, and her dedication to the practice of making art. A permanent exhibit about the artist's life and work is on display at the Key West Art Center, and a portion of the proceeds from sales of her paintings, benefits the scholarship.

Please note: The scholarship is open to Senior students graduating any of the four high schools located in Key West, FL.

Click HERE for background and application.

Monroe County Parks & Beaches: Call for Original Artwork or Mascot Grades K - 12.

Deadline May 22

Help us celebrate July P&B Recreation Month by creating a one-of-a-kind Artwork or Mascot that raises environmental awareness in our parks and natural spaces! Open to all Monroe County residents in Grades K - 12.

Click HERE to request application and complete contest rules.

Fringe Theatre Auditions 2025-2026

Sunday May 18, 4 - 5 p.m.

Fringe Theater, The Armory

600 White St., Key West

Bring a 1-2 min monologue + 16 bars of music (optional). Or choose a monologue at the door. Read or Memorized. The vibe is laidback. You're not competing with anyone. You're inspiring us. And for two minutes ... you have the stage!

Click HERE for more information.

Waterfront Playhouse Auditions 2025-2026

Monday & Tuesday, May 19 - 20, 4 - 6 p.m.

Fringe Theater, The Armory

600 White St., Key West

Actors of all backgrounds and experience levels are encouraged to audition. The upcoming season features a diverse slate of productions, with roles available for a wide variety of ages, vocal types, and character styles.

Monday, May 19 will be dedicated to musical auditions. An accompanist will be provided; performers should bring appropriate sheet music and be prepared to sing. Both evenings will include a short monologue component. All auditionees should prepare a 2-3 minute contemporary monologue that showcases their range and presence. Please bring a photo and resume.

Click HERE for more information.

MANGO MADNESS

Drop off May 20 - 26

Studios of Key West

533 Eaton St., Key West

You are invited to participate in our annual members’ exhibit, and the result is a bounty of creativity in every form and style imaginable. We don’t ask artists to make work about mangoes exactly, but we do hope that the work brings them – and you – similar joy. Must be a member. The show will be on view June 5 - July 31.

Click HERE for more information and application.

LECTURES

Speaker Series: To Save an Orchid

Saturday, May 17, 1 p.m.

Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden

5210 College Road, Key West

Leigh Coolidge, Vice President of the Key West Orchid Society presents ‘To Save an Orchid”, introduction to and the joint effort with the Key West Botanical Garden to conserve, preserve, and protect Florida Keys’ native orchids.

Click HERE for more information.

Mistakes Divers Make

Wednesday, May 21, 7 p.m.

History of Diving Museum

82990 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada

Dan Orr, President of Dan Orr Consulting, has more than 50 years of diving experience. He retired from the position of President of Divers Alert Network (DAN) where he helped focus DAN on its worldwide diving safety mission.

Click HERE for more information.

Art by Mario Sanchez

Mario Sanchez

Daily, 2 p.m.

Gallery on Green

606 Greene St, Key West

Mario Sanchez, 1908 American, whose art tells the unwritten history of Key West and in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian American art Museum, and the American of Folk Museum in New York.

Click HERE for more information

LITERARY

How to Tell Your Story: LGBTQIA

Wednesday, May 21, 3 - 5 p.m.

Queer Keys

1100 Truman Avenue, Key West

Join us for an intergenerational workshop where we will write about tough things and make it cathartic. Let's have fun with those demons.

No experience needed - we're here to learn new ways of expression, experimentation, and compassion for ourselves and others. We'll write some poems, some fiction, some memoir; we'll write the truest sentence ever wrote.

Amy will lead with prompts, ideas, and inspiration - all you have to do is follow. Destination: individual and community healing, and queer joy.

Snacks, breaks, and laughs provided.

A.S. King is an award-winning author and speaker, a teacher, a researcher, a fierce advocate for teenagers, an intellectual freedom fighter, and founder of Gracie's House where our mission is safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth.

Click HERE for more information

Keys Writers Meeting

Wednesday, May 21, 1 p.m.

Big Pine Library Conference Room

Winn-Dixie Shopping Plaza, Big Pine Key

Explore writing in a fun, supportive environment with the Keys Writers Group! All styles and abilities are welcome. Participants may bring up to five pages, double spaced, to read aloud. If you can, bring 5-7 copies to share. The group offers feedback in a friendly, constructive way. Not ready to share? Come to a meeting to get acquainted and offer feedback. "Writers need readers!"

Old Town Literary Walking Tours

Wednesdays & Sundays, 10 a.m.

Departs from Key West Public Library

700 Fleming St., Key West

Join us each week for the Old Town Literary Walking Tour, a stroll through downtown Key West, illuminating stories of writers that have called our island home. Inspired by David A. Kaufelt’s original literary walking tour, our new tour features the former homes and favorite haunts of writers, including Tennessee Williams, Shel Silverstein, Elizabeth Bishop, and Robert Frost, and highlights tales of our lesser-known local talent. Sponsored by the Key West Literary Seminar.

Tours commence in front of the Monroe County Public Library, 700 Fleming Street (between Elizabeth and William Streets) and end near Greene and Elizabeth Streets in Key West. Tours last approximately 90 minutes. Please be on time and wear comfortable shoes.

Click HERE for more information and to register (required).

MUSIC

Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel

Thursday, May 15, 8 pm

Duane Betts ignites and brings an evolution to the Southern rock tradition. With a fiery legacy forged by his father, the legendary Dickey Betts, the second generation musician infuses it with his own soul-stirring blend of blues, raw passion, and six-string mastery. Backed by his band, Palmetto Motel, Betts delivers a dynamic live show filled with searing guitar solos, heartfelt storytelling, and a mix of classic influences with fresh energy. Fans can expect a blend of roots rock, blues, and some improvisational jamming, creating an electrifying yet deeply authentic experience.

Mini Kiss: The Hottest Littlest Band

Sunday, May 18, 8 p.m.

The World Famous MINIKISS is a high-energy rock band that’s taking the world by storm! This group of talented little people is known for their electrifying KISS-inspired performances that have rocked audiences at some of the biggest events and venues worldwide.

Journeyman: Tribute to Eric Clapton

Tuesday, May 20, 8 p.m.

JOURNEYMAN has become the #1 tribute to Clapton in a very short amount of time. The band has been selling hundreds of tickets per night in the Midwest, New England and West Coast. With over 50 years of music to choose from, JOURNEYMAN covers it all.

Key West Theater

512 Eaton St., Key West

For more information, click HERE.

Keys Choral Arts Jr. Inaugural Concert

Saturday, May 17, 7 p.m.

Key West United Methodist Church

600 Eaton St., Key West

During the past year, the choral program at Key West High School was eliminated, leaving high school students with no opportunity to sing, learn, or perform choral music. Lela approached the Board of KCA asking for support and the Board agreed, as it fits into the organization’s mission statement of providing a musical education experience for both adults and teenagers.

For more information, click HERE.

Southernmost Youth Orchestra Spring Concert

Sunday, May 18, 4 pm

St. Paul's Episcopal Church

401 Duval St, Key West

For more information, click HERE.

Key West Jazz Society Duo

Thursdays, 4-7 pm

Hemingway Social Club

201 Simonton St, Key West

Vintage and Latin Jazz with Channing (clarinet, sax, flute) and company.

For more information, click HERE.

Jazz In The Gardens on Sundays

Sundays, 5-7 pm

The Gardens Hotel

526 Angela St., Key West

DANCE

Annual Spring Dance Concert -CoffeeMill Dance Studio

Saturday & Sunday May 17 - 18, 7 p.m. (Sunday 3 p.m.)

Tennessee Williams Theater

5901 College Rd., Key West

The CoffeeMill Dance Studio Celebrates 42 years of dance in Key West and proudly presents our Annual Spring Dance Concert featuring Lion King PLUS other works at the Tennessee Williams Theatre! This annual dance concert brings together the best original works produced by students, faculty, and professional dancers as they collaborate on an astounding celebration of many styles of dance including ballet, contemporary, modern, hiphop, tap, jazz, lyrical, Latin dance, Afro Caribbean dance, belly dance and much more! Treat your family to some great LIVE homegrown dance!

Click HERE for more information.

Learn to Dance with Lucy & Friends

Tuesdays, 4:30 p.m Thursdays: 6 p.m.

Swing, Latin & Ballroom

Williams Hall, 729 Fleming St Key West

Fridays, 7 p.m.

Salsa & Salsa Rueda

CoffeeMill Dance Studio

804 White St, Key West

Private lessons for all occasions

CoffeeMill Dance Studio

For information and private lessons call Lucy at 305.745.5578.

Click HERE for more information and for up-to-date schedule.

ART COUNCIL GRANTS CALL

Grants for Monroe County Artists & Arts Organizations

Open through June 30, 5 pm

Florida Keys Council of the Arts

Art Builds Community Grant - Workshops via Zoom April 15 &16

Encouraging collaboration and audience building by emphasizing access to the Arts for all communities. Awards of $5,000, $7,500 & $10,000 available for projects that will spark conversations, spur social change and make our community stronger.

Artists In Schools Grant

INNOVATION and COLLABORATION equals EDUCATION. Awards of $2,000 available for teaching artists.

Special Project Grant

CREATIVITY and SUPPORT equals NEW OPPORTUNITY

Awards of $2,000 available for a project that has a beginning, middle and end.

Click HERE for details and online applications.

Questions email director@keysarts.com.

ARTIST CLASSES

Workshops

Dates and Times vary

Florida Keys Watercolor Society

The mission of the Florida Keys Watercolor Society is to promote the fine art of water based painting through fellowship and education within its membership base. The Shows, Workshops, and Paint-Outs offered by the FKWCS invite its participants to immerse themselves in the joy and rewards associated with the water based medium.