The Studios of Key West Kicks Off 2025 with Four New Exhibitions Opening January 2

On View: January 2–30, 2025
Opening Reception: Thursday, January 2, 6–8 PM

Duke Riley, Pigeon Loft from “Trading with the Enemy” (2013). Mixed media installation. Courtesy of the artist.

The Studios of Key West invites art lovers to its first First Thursday of the year on January 2, 2025, from 6–8 p.m., with four bold and dynamic exhibitions. Featuring live pigeons, evocative photography, whimsical paintings, and striking sculptural works, this diverse lineup highlights artists Duke Riley, Jeffrey Cardenas, Mena Ganey, and a shared exhibition by Pamela Kostmayer and Jane Beck.

Sanger Gallery — Trading with the Enemy by Duke Riley

What if pigeons could challenge the way we think about borders, history and politics? In 2013, Duke Riley did just that. A trailblazing artist celebrated for transforming maritime history and urban folklore into captivating modern narratives, Riley orchestrated an extraordinary feat: training a flock of pigeons to smuggle cameras and Cuban cigars across the 90-mile stretch from Havana to Key West. Through this audacious project, Trading with the Enemy, Riley turned these unassuming birds into symbols of resistance, sparking conversations about surveillance, smuggling and Key West’s longstanding unique relationship with Cuba.

At the center of the exhibition is Riley’s original pigeon loft, made from found materials and stocked with live pigeons. The artist housed a kit of 50 pigeons there in 2013, after four years of meticulous planning and eight months of breeding, with the goal of releasing them in Havana to make the trek home. “The birds were either ‘smugglers’ carrying contraband, and named after historical smugglers, or ‘documentarians’ wearing customized cameras, named after filmmakers who have had brushes with the law,” Riley recalls. “Eleven pigeons successfully completed their mission. One documentarian landed on a yacht and quickly became the subject of conversation.”

In addition to the live installation, the exhibition includes video of the pigeons’ historic flights, painted portraits of the individual pigeons on repurposed Key West roof tiles, and related works that delve deeper into the themes of migration, ingenuity, and exchange. Its resonance has only grown in recent years, with the continued US embargo, and the historic exodus of millions of Cubans in the post-pandemic era.

Zabar Project Gallery — On the Reef by Jeffrey Cardenas

In On the Reef, Jeffrey Cardenas takes viewers on a stunning journey through the coral reef ecosystems of the Caribbean, Polynesia, and beyond. Through his powerful photography, Cardenas reveals the vibrancy, complexity, and fragility of underwater worlds, celebrating their role in supporting marine life while prompting reflection on their urgent need for conservation. A longtime Key West resident and seasoned sailor, Cardenas blends art and environmental advocacy with a poetic lens.

XOJ Gallery — Object Permanence by Mena Ganey

Mena Ganey’s Object Permanence is an exploration of nostalgia, identity, and perception through vibrant and whimsical works. Known for her eclectic, pop-infused style, Ganey’s paintings blend neon colors, playful humor, and bizarre yet endearing characters to reflect on the absurdities of life and the stories we carry. Drawing on personal reflection, Ganey examines how our histories shape what we see and feel, infusing each piece with a mix of charm, chaos, and thought-provoking detail.

Zabar Lobby Gallery — Parallels by Pamela Kostmayer & Jane Beck

Wood and glass meet in Parallels, a poetic conversation between material and form. Pamela Kostmayer’s sculptures, crafted from Dade County pine, vintage wood, and metal, mark a shift toward dynamic, three-dimensional works that invite exploration from all angles. Jane Beck’s fused glass creations, honed over decades of experimentation, celebrate light, texture, and transformation. Together, the two artists highlight intriguing intersections in their processes, offering viewers a captivating dialogue of craft and creativity.

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