A New Year & A Brand New Show for Collections, Key West, gallery

Long time favorites of the local art scene, Will Fernandez & Kate Peachey, come back to Key West for the most colorful show of the year. Opening on Saturday & Sunday, January 9th & 10th, noon til 5:00, 6810 Front Street, Stock Island. The show runs in conjunction with Stock Island Art Stroll’s, 2nd Saturdays.

Will Fernandez was born in Laz Villas, Cuba two weeks into the Castro revolution in ’59, he moved to the US in ‘62 with his parents and sister. He began to display artistic ability in both drawing and sculpture at the age of three and went on to be a successful commercial artist in South Florida. At the age of forty, he decided to abandon the “normal life” to become a full time fine artist-bohemian in Key West, finding inspiration in the old wooden conch houses, colorful characters, cracked sidewalks and free roaming chickens. His paintings are impressionistic with a bold use of light, shadows and dramatic perspectives. He is also a sculptor working in wood, stone, papier mache and ceramics. His work is known for its movement, humor and sensual undertones.

Kate Peachey can’t remember wanting to be anything other than an artist. Attending the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, she is most inspired by Diane Arbus, Truman Capote & Norman Rockwell, thinking their portraiture speaks the truth with kindness. In 2013, her body started to break, no one seemed able to diagnose the source of the problem. After many years and doctors, she was finally diagnosed with MS. After more therapy and work, her whole right side just doesn’t work properly anymore, which lead her to spend several years concentrating on learning to paint with her left hand. This series is a very personal reflection, and required considerable effort. Says Kate – I think when you find out you have an incurable debilitating disease, you have to say, “If not now, when?”

Kate & Will, will be at the gallery for the opening days of Saturday & Sunday, January 9th & 10th, Noon till 5:00, show runs thru January 4th. Open every weekend 12-5, virtually and by appointment. The gallery is an open window space, lending itself to a safe and casual viewing. The opening is spread over 2 days and 8 hours making for fewer people in the space at one time. We’ll have a piano serenade by Jay Wetzel, champagne, seltzer & a mighty fine array of eye candy to savor! So, Please Do; Come, See & Enjoy. Collections, Key West, 6810 Front St, Stock Island, 305-923-4778 www.collectionskeywest.com

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