Steve King (of Parades!) to kick off this year’s Papio Kinetic Sculpture & Art Bike Parade and festivities with May 4 special presentation

The third annual Papio Kinetic Sculpture & Art Bike Parade is just around the kinetic bend, andwho better to kick off the celebration of rebel folk artist Stanley Papio than craftsman/inventor extraordinaire Steve King? An award-winning kinetic float creator and one of this year’s Papio Ambassadors, King will launch the weekend of parade festivities with a Key West Art & Historical Society Distinguished Speaker Series presentation titled “The Art of the Parade,” May 4, beginning at 6:00pm in the Helmerich Research Learning Center at the Custom House Museum, 281 Front Street.

King’s spectacular 2016 steam punk contraption entry, “The Grinder,” and 2017 “Golden Papio” award-winner, “The Tempest,” helped catapult the Papio Kinetic Sculpture & Art Bike Parade into the nation’s eye.As this year’s Distinguished Speaker, he will share more than 15 years of his parade creations, including conceptualizing and designingwinning Fantasy Fest floatswhile providing workshops for sometimes up to 250 parade participants to create complimentary costumes. Like parade namesake Stanley Papio, King is an outsider artist who has left his mark on the Key’s community through his own social commentary.

“I lovethe no-rules, creative energy that Papio embodies,” he says.

A 30-year Key Wester, King arrived in the US from the UK on a student exchange program, over time shaping his talents as a craftsman, designer, and boat builder with projects that have landed him on national TV, most recently the FYI network’s “My Floating Home.” While he prefers to keep the details of his 2018 Papio Parade creation under wraps until parade day, he says it will be inspired by years of boat-building design, original concepts from unique light and clock sculptures and cameras, and a certain level of performance art he has become known for.

“Sail and land vehicles were my last PapioKinetic Sculpture Floats, so I figured this year would be flight,” he hints.

Don’t miss this sure-to-be-fun and interesting free presentation. Seats are limited; advance registration required at kwahs.org (click “tickets”). Following King’s free presentation, guests can gather on the Custom House Museum’s spacious veranda for a 7:00-8:00pm Papio Porch Sunset Happy Hour, with a cash beer and wine bar.

Presented by Key West Art & Historical Society and co-produced by Wonderdog Studios, a full weekend of kinetic revelry and renegade creativity goes full tilt from May 4 through May 6, with the parade itself launching from the Custom House Museum, Saturday, May 5 at 5:00pm, followed by a ticketed post-parade party and concert at the Truman Waterfront Amphitheater, complete with cash awards for the best kinetic sculpture floats and art bikes.  For complete information, map and schedule, visit papiokineticparade.com.

Sponsored in part by the Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council of the Arts and Culture, and the State of Florida. Additional “Papio’s Pals” support provided by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, Helmerich Trust, Historic Tours of America, Margaritaville Key West Resort & Marina, Pirate Radio, The Peace Store, Jimmy Lane Real Estate Team, Premier Painting, All Keys Insulation, Camping Florida Keys, Sam Kaufman Law Firm, Papa’s Pilar,Shipyard Brewing Co, Islamorada Brewing Co and South Beach Brewing Co, Tiki House Key West, and Blu on White Vacation Rentals.  Your Museums.  Your Community.  It takes an Island.

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