Ann Lorraine’s “Key West Summer” at SALT

For the month of July, SALT Gallery (830 Fleming St., www.saltislandprovisions.com) will feature “Key West Summer,” a collection of works by legendary Key West artist Ann Lorraine. To celebrate, SALT will host an opening reception at the gallery from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, July 2.

Lorraine was raised in Kennett, Mo., and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Memphis Academy of Art. She has lived in Key West since 1974 and is well-known for her award-winning Fantasy Fest costumes and giant animated floats and for her work as window designer for Fast Buck Freddie’s department store on Duval Street for nearly a quarter century.

Lorraine’s paintings and drawings have been exhibited in galleries and shows in Taiwan, Laos, Thailand and the United States. Her first Key West one-woman show was at East Martello Museum in 1975, featuring her art from the Orient. Her last one-woman show was at the Studios of Key West in 2012, “Window Wonderlands & Fantasy Floats – 23 years of legendary floats, windows and exotic creations.” In addition to her visual art, Lorraine has illustrated two books. Her first book of drawings, “An American Artist Looks at Taiwan” was published after living in the Far East for several years.

Despite a career that has already spanned decades, Lorraine is still actively working as an artist in Key West. Her newest exhibit, “Key West Summer,” is a compilation of both never-before-seen works created over the last few years and a handful of pieces from early on in her Key West career.

“My ‘Key West Summer’ art show was inspired by the many things I love about Key West in the summer,” Lorraine said. “It includes some of my favorite drawings and paintings from my private collection, like ‘Woman on White Street,’ one of my first Key West paintings. They join my many paintings completed during last year’s shutdown.”

“Ann Lorraine is a true Key West legend,” said gallery co-owner Laura Richardson. “It’s an absolute honor to show her work at SALT and we are so excited to get her paintings and drawings back into the public eye!”

SALT Gallery features an eclectic collection of local art, local sea salts, jewelry, pottery, wine and Florida Keys honey. Gallery owners Maria Sharpe and Laura Richardson feature a new artist each month at SALT. Lorraine’s work will remain on display until July 29. For more information, call 305-517-6088 or visit www.saltislandprovisions.com.

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