Enrique ‘Henry’ delValle artwork show on Feb 22-23 at Collections, Key West

Enrique ‘Henry’ delValle artwork show on Feb 22-23 at Collections, Key West

Enrique ‘Henry’ delValle, best known for his artful signage produced in the Keys over the years, is presenting a body of paintings on canvas that reflect life in Key West and Havana in the ‘50’s & ‘60’s. A show of his artwork will be presented at Collections, Key West Gallery, 6810 Front St., Stock Island. Receptions to meet the artist will be held Saturday, February the 22nd, 6-8 and Sunday the 23rd 12-2.

Henry began his sign making career as a teenager in Havana, where he worked for Telesforo Ferrer, who owned the sign company La Casa Ferrer. While working at La Casa Ferrer, Henry had the opportunity to meet Mr. Ferrer’s good friend, Wilfredo Lam, a major twentieth century painter. This introduction and his schooling by San Alejandro instructors in Havana, set in motion an appreciation and inspiration that Henry continues to have for art and painting.

Henry left Havana and moved to Key West in 1956, the birthplace of his mother. He went to work for the local sign maker, Neil Saunders. It was here that Henry developed his trade and craftsmanship as a sign painter and refers to Neil Saunders as his mentor, “a man that knew everything about art and sign painting”. Now, with the invention of vinyl lettering and computers, this form of custom hand lettering is almost a lost art. Henry went on to work for Southernmost Signs, before teaming up with Danny Acosta, another local sign painting legend, schooled in hand lettering. For the next twenty years the two lettered vessel names on the transoms of hundreds of lobster and shrimp boats.

In 1967 Henry created delValle signs on Truman Avenue. Over the years he moved to Duval and Elizabeth Street and finally Stock Island. In all those years and moves Henry has maintained a level of humility and love for his work. His last landlord, Sam Holland, owner of The Conch House, said of Henry, “He was always genuine and charming”. Indeed, a humble man with the incredible talent of being able to capture a moment with his brush; a concept man with the ability to represent a company or idea with the bright realization of pigment and imagery. Henry was the sign painter for Historic Tours of America.  Ed Swift, co-owner said of him: “I know Henry delValle quite well. He painted hundreds of signs for me during the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. He is very talented as a sign painter and as an artist. His heart is in his work”.

Son, Marcus delValle said, “My father always had a colorful crowd”. It was at his Duval Street shop by the Cuban Club, where Pepito Suarez and Mario Sanchez would stop to pass the day. Mario would often bring his paper bag drawings to Henry for consultation of perspective and composition. On many occasions, Mario would take his son, young Henry, back to his workshop to show him his technique of carving.

It was a lively time in the sign shop come 3:00. Friends would wander by, stories told and a few beers drank; Henry would letter and paint all the while.  This was not the end of his day though. He would work till 6, have dinner with his wife Elena and their family of four and then often times, work till 12 and 1:00 at night. It was in the quiet hours of the household that he would sip Cuban Coffee and hand letter and illustrate diplomas and appreciation awards, for both local and distant schools and government agencies.

Through the years Henry played bongos and congas for “Boza’s Dandy’s Comparsa Dancers”, and thus was inspired to create a painting of the same name, here revealing the joy of music and dancing.  The band would play from the flat bed of a Toppino’s truck, the music would begin with the playing of 2 cast iron skillets; the dancers would follow behind with lines of people joining in. Henry also played with Buddy Chavez’s Combo Band, inspiring the painting, “BC’s Combo”, a lively scene at the Boogaloo Lounge on South Street. 

Today, Henry walks South Roosevelt Boulevard, for the scenery and exercise. This view of life is well represented in the two paintings, “South Roosevelt,” and “Wrecked Ship” speaking of the changes since the boys played domino’s at “Liz’s Cabinet Shop”.

This great show and walk through the past will be on display at Collections, Key West Gallery on Stock Island down the dock from the Hogfish. The opening reception is Saturday, February 22nd from 6 until 8 pm and Sunday February 23 from 12 until 2. Please come out and meet Henry, have a drink and maybe hear some old stories. Show runs through the first week of March. 305-923-4778 www.collectionskeywest.com

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