International Art Show and Book Signing Launch The Studios of Key West’s Eleventh Season

The Studios of Key West kicks off its eleventh season of exhibiting the finest in local and international art by filling their galleries with work from around the world. In November, Lemonade Stand Gallery’s Small Works Show takes over the first floor Sanger Gallery, and illustrations and narrative from the newly released children’s book, “Grandpa! Grandpa! What Will I See?” will be on display in the third floor XOJ Gallery. Special opening events and a book signing will take place Thursday, November 2 from 6-8pm during the First Thursday Gallery Walk.

The rules of the show are simple – nothing more than 10” in any direction – but the possibilities are endless. Since it began in 2005, Lemonade Stand’s Small Works Show has become one of the most anticipated exhibitions on the island. This year, The Studios is proud to offer it a home.

“Even with Hurricane Irma hitting right around our deadline we had an incredible response to our call to artists,” said Letty Nowak, Lemonade Stand founder. “We are very grateful for this support and helping to get our ‘Island of the Arts’ back up and running.”

A record number of submissions poured in from forty-four states and sixteen countries for this year’s show, and of those, nearly two hundred selected works will be on view, including those of local artists Susan Sugar, Elizabeth Chamberlain, John Martini, Lynne Bentley-Kemp, Jim Racchi, AD Tinkham, Jackie Sanchez,  Jill Caldwell, Kim Thompson, Karen Beauprie, Sean Callahan, and others. Four artists will receive Judge’s Choice Awards at the opening reception.

Upstairs in the XOJ Gallery, writer William P. Bahlke and illustration artist Lothar W. Speer will be on hand to sign copies of their newly released children’s book, “Grandpa! Grandpa! What Will I See?”. Speer’s whimsical, lively drawings bring Bahlke’s poignant and humorous narrative to life, illustrating the touching story of a grandfather and his granddaughter, and imparting wisdom for the generations.

“I hope that in reading this book, the children of today will use lessons from the past to inspire a future of endless possibilities,” says Bahlke.

Both exhibitions will remain on view at The Studios, 533 Eaton Street, through November 30. Exhibitions can be viewed during normal gallery hours,Tuesday through Saturday from 10am-4pm.

Sponsored by Jim Morris and Bob Wood and Strunk Ace Hardware.

This year’s Small Works Show is dedicated to Dianne Zolotow, pioneer of the arts, who passed away this September. Dianne’s important legacy is deeply ingrained in Key West’s arts community, and her warmth, wit, and knowledge will be sorely missed.

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