Rally Cry for Rebels and Renegades: Last Call for May 15th Papio Kinetic Sculpture Parade Entrants

In less than a week, a groundswell of Florida Keys creatives and spectators will come together to applaud a rebellious welder-turned-metal artist while showcasing their own ingenious recycled creations during the inaugural Stanley Papio Kinetic Parade— a family-friendly, art-inspired, human-powered, mobile sculpture and art-bike parade set for noon on Saturday, May 14th.

The late Stanley Papio was a man ahead of his time, seeing art where others saw junk. The pioneering folk artist transformed the controversial metal collection piled high in his yard into extraordinary sculptural works— many of them comical and caustic commentary on neighbors and naysayers who wanted him to abide by zoning laws. While none of Papio’s sculptures were made to be mobile, the parade is a nod to both his legacy and collection of work and a wink to the rebel, outsider spirit in us all.

The one-hour cavalcade, presented by Key West Art & Historical Society and produced by WonderDog Studios Creative Director Marky Pierson, will start moving at noon from its starting location at the Custom House Museum and wind down Duval Street to land at the Southernmost Beach Café for revelry and fanfare with awards, drinks, food, and more. Participants and spectators alike are invited to embrace the zany and diverse culture found here in the Florida Keys by expressing themselves as they best see fit.

“Celebrating artistry and diversity and letting people dream big and create the visions in their head are elements often found in our events,” says Pierson, co-producer of events that include the wildly successful Zombie Bike Ride, Cow Key Channel Bridge Run, and Key Lime Festival. “Creative and renegade people are our people, so we just provide a little organization for them to express themselves.”

More than a dozen human-powered, kinetic sculpture floats are expected to be in the parade, followed by hundreds of art bikes. Entrants can register as late as Friday the 13th from 5-8pm at the pre-parade pop-up party, which features a free performance by Patrick and the Swayzees and a full cash bar in front of the Custom House Museum. While kinetic sculpture floats generally require some kinetic savvy and an investment of time to make all the parts move, Art Bikes are an easy entry for anyone looking to join in the fun. Simple, whimsical, futuristic, or fantastical, whatever works best for registrants is welcomed, though in the spirit of Papio, recycling is encouraged, wit and humor applauded.

“If you have an idea and some recycled materials you can have an art bike,” says Pierson.  “Costumes, sound makers, group entries, causes or political statements— all can be incorporated into your Saturday bike ride celebration. Dress up and get outside with a few hundred other wild bike enthusiasts.”

Society Executive Director Michael Gieda says the parade will be an annual event and believes it has “the potential to gain momentum and eventually be on the level with other kinetic offerings around the country.”

“We’ve purposely allowed participants to be in driver’s seat when it comes to creating their sculptures or art bikes,” says Gieda. “This event was organized with the intent to allow anyone to participate, regardless of skill level, and to allow people to express their creativity on a grand scale while parading down the island’s most notorious street.”

Surrounding the parade are an orbit of Papio-based events: in addition to the pop-up registration party on Friday, highlights include the lecture “The Legacy of Stanley Papio” presented by historian Sharon Wells at the Custom House Museum on Friday, May 13th at 4pm, the opening of the Junkyard Rebel: Stanley Papio permanent exhibit at Fort East Martello on Saturday, May 14th from 5:30-7pm, and a special exhibition of the parade’s Kinetic Sculptural Art Floats at Fort East Martello from 9:30am-4:30pm on Sunday, May 15th. See the full schedule at www.papioskineticsculptureparade.com.

Sponsored in part by The Knight Foundation Knight Arts Challenge, The Helmerich Trust, the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. For more information visit www.papioskineticparade.com or call Adele Williams, 305.295.6616 x 115.   Your Museums.  Your Community.  It takes an Island. 

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