Artists in Paradise Gallery welcomes the Connections Project in Big Pine Key on March 24th  

Sampling of Canvases from Connections Project

The Florida Keys Council of the Arts works to support all the arts, in all the Keys, all the time. The local arts agency has launched its eleventh annual Connections Project Road show with the next opening reception at the beautiful Artists in Paradise Gallery located in the Winn Dixie Shopping Plaza in Big Pine on Friday, March 24th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm featuring a vibrant 24-foot mosaic mural created by local artists and art lovers. The reception, with festive hors d’ouevres, desserts, and libations, is open to the public.    

The Connections Project is one of the Arts Council’s more innovative fundraising activities connecting community members with local arts and cultural initiatives. The Arts Council provides an 8×6 inch blank canvas to local professional artists and artistic residents who then create a piece of art. “People ​so enjoy the variety and creativity of our talented artists and enthusiastic community members who participate,” said Florida Keys Arts Council Executive Director Elizabeth Young. “We offer workshops for non-artists, led by local artists. And, we’re privileged to have more than 200 Keys artists contributing a piece of art to Connections Project 2023.”  

Once the completed canvases are collected, the mosaic is assembled and taken on the road from Key Largo to Key West for art receptions and exhibitions. All receptions run from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Exhibits are open during regular business hours of the Arts Council business partner’s locations. The Connections Project Road show is sponsored by Royal Furniture.  

After connecting with the art, patrons can also collect art by making a $60 donation for one canvas or a $160 donation for three at any reception or online at www.keysarts.com. Once the road show has ended, donors receive a randomly selected piece of the mosaic in the mail. Each work includes an artist statement providing insight into the origin of the work and the artist’s thoughts and inspiration.  

Proceeds from Connections Project directly benefit Keys’ artists and arts organizations through Arts Council grants, including the Artists in Schools, Special Projects, and Art Builds Community grants.  

For more information call the Florida Keys Council of the Arts at 305.295.4369 or visit www.keysarts.com. If you would like to participate in the project, you may donate to receive a canvas here: https://keysarts.com/artist_connections/Mosaic/Mosaic3.html

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