A WOOD SHOW LIKE NONE OTHER
Collections, Key West Gallery, on Stock Island & Key West Woodworks have teamed up to present a Wood Show Like None Other! The Florida Keys are host to a wealth of natural products, namely exotic tropical hardwoods. Woman’s Tongue, Tabebuia, Cuban Mahogany, Jamaica Dogwood, Blue Mahoe; they all grow right here! The local woods of Key West make up the majority of pieces exhibited at this show, now through the month of March.
A blanket chest made of Cuban Mahogany and Bubinga, made by Drummond Brown, is a most elegant chest perched as if on peroet. The hinging on this piece is smooth and solid, the craftsmanship, quite fine. Also showing, a small trunk, turned toy chest. It was sold at Cavanaugh’s on Front Street, it is complete with original sales receipt!
Jimmy Wray, owner of Key West Woodworks has included a chest of sorts – a Key West time capsule, made of old Dade County Pine, layered with the painted colors of Key West past. Jimmy’s mirrors are much the same feel, old spindles and linoleum border the ‘stage’, reflecting you in this, your newest persona. Jimmy is presently creating 4 new mirrors, this in itself is exciting for seasoned locals, his parts and pieces, the tessellations formed, the drama of the present mixing with the past! Another resource of the Keys is the coconut. Jimmy brings to light the ever present expression of the coconut, in this case, ‘Uh Oh’. Much different in style is his stand up screen made of local Woman’s Tongue and bamboo, elegant and delicious all in one.
Also represented is Karen Wray’s Balancing Act, shaped and polished scrapes from Jimmy’s sawmill work, paired with elegant glass and metal counterparts. Karen and Jimmy are also showing an infinite array of shelving with the exotic hardwoods, making for a dramatic statement of form, color and shape.
FISH, there are four different makers of FISH! Brad Gruss’ mosaic fish made with local hardwoods, Jesse Alfonso’s, hand carved and tooled wood/metal, RusticFish and Tyler Yates’, Mario Sanchez influenced intalios. Last and never least, Lesley Lynch’s 7′ long, mosaic sailfish – a STUNNING focal point for any setting!
Sailors Valentines, wooden letter boxes, serving platters, pedestals and eel blossoms; eye candy for the viewer. Join us please, now through March for the most dynamic of wood shows. You’ll find us on Stock Island, 120 paces down the dock from the Hogfish. Open weekends 11-6 and with merely a call, as our woodshop is just down the dock 305-923-4778 www.
No Comment