Florida Keys Council of the Arts Hosts Annual Membership Meeting; Kicks Off County 200-Year Celebrations With Annual Magazine

Director of the Arts Council Elizabeth Young, historian Brad Bertelli, writer Jill Zima Borski, Director of the Pigeon Key Foundation Kelly McKinnon, and Monroe County Mayor Pro Tem and Arts Council Liaison Holly Merrill Raschein at Pigeon Key for the annual membership meeting.

PIGEON KEY, FL – Monroe County Pro Tem Holly Merrill Raschein attended the Florida Keys Council of the Arts annual meeting held Thursday on Pigeon Key. Merrill Raschein is the Board of County Commissioners liaison for the council. The membership meeting included unveiling “Culture,” an annual magazine placed in the hotel rooms and other locations for visitors to learn about cultural events and activities throughout the Florida Keys. Monroe County Mayor Craig Cates does the welcome message in the magazine.

In addition to the magazine’s calendar of cultural events, two local writers have featured stories. Jill Zima Borski chronicles “200 Years of the Florida Keys” in her piece, and historian Brad Bertelli exposes “The Florida Keys: Historic Lighthouses, Island Wonders, and Natural Beauty.” Each spoke at the membership meeting. The county is celebrating the 200-year anniversary of Monroe County this year, and the Florida Keys Council of the Arts is helping celebrate by including bicentennial themes in its annual events.

The 2023 “Connections Project” is also celebrating 200 Years of the Florida Keys. The project will include 300 unique art pieces on 6×8 canvases that will travel from Key Largo to Key West from Feb. 7 to April 20. Receptions will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at the following locations and are open to the public:

  • Baker’s Cay Resort, Key Largo, Tuesday, Feb. 7
  • Royal Furniture Showroom, Marathon, March 2
  • Artists in Paradise Gallery, Big Pine Key, March 24
  • Historic Gato Building Lobby, Key West, April 20

To view the “Culture” magazine, visit https://fla-keys.com/pdf/culture/CultureMag2023.pdf. To learn more about the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, visit keysarts.com.

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