Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm (Dec-May)
Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm (Jun-Nov)
Visitors can find us, tour our galleries and studios, and visit the rooftop at 533 Eaton Street.
Admission to our galleries and campus is always free of charge. As a non-profit, community organization, we offer discounted fees for classes, performances and events to members of The Studios. If you are interested in the benefits of membership learn more here!
From rooftop parties to business gatherings, The Studios offers a host of unique spaces to make your event one for the ages! Learn more here.
$4,200 per person based on double occupancy
Additional $600 for single occupancy
$1,100 non-refundable deposit due to secure your spot
For over a decade, The Studios has led pioneering cultural exchanges with Cuba, building friendships with many of its most significant artists and cultural figures. Reap the benefits of those relationships with a whirlwind tour of Havana’s arts scene, including studio visits with celebrated artists, guided tours and sumptuous dinners, as well as opportunities to learn about the historic and architectural treasures of one of the world’s most romantic cities – a UNESCO World Heritage site!
presented in partnership with Gallery on Greene and Project Hemisphere
Questions? Contact Jed Dodds at jed@tskw.org or 305-296-0458 or Fabiola Ortiz (Project Hemisphere) at fab1902@gmail.com or 310-977-9681
• Four nights of oceanside hotel accommodation – Grand Aston Hotel (5-star hotel)
• 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners – fine dining
• Visa fees, licenses and permits
• Motor coach transportation, dedicated bilingual guide
• $500 tax deductible contribution to The Studios of Key West
• Airfare to/from Havana (logistical assistance provided)
• Passenger travel insurance (strongly suggested)
• Gratuities for guide and driver
$300, $285 mbrs.
This workshop is a total immersion in the beautiful practice of painting flowers. The tropical flora of Key West provides stunning ‘models’ for our work, or students can bring in their favorite tropical flowers.
The traditional paint for botanical study is gouache watercolor. With a limited palette of these tube colors, we’ll learn to mix colors, how to lay in a simple flower study and closely observe the physical make up of flowers. Class will break for lunch 12pm-1pm, during which we can discuss our work.
In the afternoon students can continue their flower explorations with a full floral still life, or other ways to express the beauty of flowers, using acrylic, oil, or gouache. Sunday we’ll warm up with some quick expressive flower exercises, then continue work on our still life. Barbara Thomas will help guide the work, providing useful methods for capturing the details of all kinds of flora, laying in a still life, etc.
Barbara Thomas was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Her father was Fritz Siebel, renowned illustrator of such children’s classics as the Amelia Bedelia series. Barbara’s first formal art education was at The Art Students League in New York City, where she studied painting under naturalist painter Edwin Dickinson (1891-1978), followed by Pratt Institute, in Brooklyn, New York. Barbara has an MFA degree from Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University, Boston, Massachusetts. For ten years Barbara worked as an advertising art director in New York City, and then moved to the East End of Long Island, where she turned to painting full time.
$160, $145 mbrs.
Sunset painting is so fun and challenging! Students meet at The Studios to go over the process with helpful tips on how to achieve effects in sunset painting, mixing colors, creating light, etc. The class will head over to the painting spot after the short demo and build their color and form while watching the beautiful glow of sunset!
Barbara Thomas was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Her father was Fritz Siebel, renowned illustrator of such children’s classics as the Amelia Bedelia series. Barbara’s first formal art education was at The Art Students League in New York City, where she studied painting under naturalist painter Edwin Dickinson (1891-1978), followed by Pratt Institute, in Brooklyn, New York. Barbara has an MFA degree from Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University, Boston, Massachusetts. For ten years Barbara worked as an advertising art director in New York City, and then moved to the East End of Long Island, where she turned to painting full time.
Duke Riley’s Trading with the Enemy Returns to Key West
Key West, FL — 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.
For the first time, Riley’s project returns to the island where it originated: running January 2–30, 2025, at The Studios of Key West.
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.
What to Expect
Join us and meet the artist at the Opening Reception on Thursday, January 2, from 6–8pm.
About the Artist
Duke Riley’s thoughtful, sometimes humorous and often provocative work has been featured in some of the most prestigious institutions in the world, including MoMA, the Smithsonian, and a major solo exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum in 2023. He is known for ambitious and daring performative works as well as handmade objects made from trash and repurposed materials that borrow from folk traditions to critique contemporary politics and material consumption.
About The Studios of Key West
The Studios of Key West is the island’s creative hub, fostering connections between artists and audiences through exhibitions, residencies, and performances. For more information, visit www.tskw.org.
On View: January 2–30, 2025
Opening Reception: Thursday, January 2, 6–8 PM
Gallery Hours: Tue-Sat, 10am-4pm. Free and open to the public.
Location: Sanger Gallery, The Studios of Key West, 533 Eaton Street. www.tskw.org
Made possible by Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson
America’s Finest Folk and Americana Artists Shine Indoors and Under the Stars
[Key West, FL.] The Studios of Key West unveils its most exciting Old Town New Folk season yet, featuring an extraordinary lineup of America’s finest singer-songwriters. In 2025, audiences will enjoy intimate concerts in the Helmerich Theater and unique rooftop shows at Hugh’s View, a terrace that captures the island’s radiant evening light.
“Our Old Town New Folk artists will grab you by the heart and leave you hanging on every word,” says Jay Scott, series curator. “Even if their names are new to you, by the end of one set, their stories and songs will make you feel like you’ve known them forever.”
The series launches on January 7 & 8 with Susan Werner & Jonatha Brooke, two renowned performers whose artistry spans genres. Werner, hailed as “one of the most innovative songwriters working today,” charms with sharp wit and dazzling musicianship, while Brooke’s stunning voice and engaging stage presence create an unforgettable experience.
“Susan is a longtime favorite of The Studios, and when we asked her to invite another musician who would resonate with Key West’s unique spirit, she immediately thought of Jonatha Brooke,” continues Scott. “Jonatha’s artistry and authenticity are a perfect match for our audiences, and together, they promise a truly magical start to the season.”
On January 14 & 15, Dom Flemons, known as the “American Songster,” brings a rich tapestry of early American music to the stage. A founding member of the Grammy-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops, Flemons masterfully blends banjo, harmonica, rhythm bones, and more into his captivating repertoire.
On February 4 & 5, Will Kimbrough, a legend in the Americana world and co-writer of Jimmy Buffett’s poignant final single Bubbles Up, takes the stage.
Over the Rhine performs on March 4 & 5, offering poetic lyrics and haunting harmonies that have earned them acclaim for over three decades.
On March 11 & 12, Ellis Paul and Radoslav Lorković offer an evening of lyrical storytelling and virtuosic piano and accordion.
Beth Nielsen Chapman, a two-time Grammy nominee, appears on March 18 & 19, performing her deeply personal songs, including works recorded by legends such as Willie Nelson and Bette Midler.
John McCutcheon, performing on April 15 & 16, brings masterful musicianship and moments that resonate deeply with his audience.
Closing the season on April 22 & 23, the Henhouse Prowlers deliver high-energy bluegrass with a modern twist. As “Chicago’s bluegrass ambassadors,” their innovative sound and dynamic shows leave audiences exhilarated.
Hugh’s View, perched atop The Studios of Key West, offers an extraordinary setting for live music, with panoramic views and a backdrop of the island’s shifting evening hues. The Helmerich Theater, by contrast, provides an intimate indoor space with exceptional acoustics, allowing audiences to experience every note and nuance of the performances.
Tickets are available now! Reserve yours by calling 305-296-0458 or visiting tskw.org.
Image: Dom Flemons, the ‘American Songster,’ brings his mastery of early American music to The Studios of Key West on January 14 & 15, blending banjo, harmonica, and storytelling in a captivating celebration of America’s musical roots. Photo by Shervin-Lainez
$165, $140 mbrs.
Our most popular class of all is a great place to start for beginners, and an equally fun time for more trained painters. By telling you what to do every step of the way, Jack McDonald takes any fear out of the equation and walks you through the basics of mixing paint and making images. By the end you’ll have a finished painting that’s all your own, and be amazed at your hidden talents.
As a visual artist and proud Key West native, the island landscape has always been Jack McDonald’s muse. He’s also worked with some of the local greats like Rick Worth – who led Painting Boot Camp at The Studios for many years – and John Martini. Primarily interested in street art, Jack is influenced by local color as well as art in public places. He is driven to stretch the boundaries of “street art,” with the hope to raise awareness and establish it as a more legitimate art form. (And, of course, while having a bit of fun!) Through the use of whimsical illustrations, bright colors and shapes, his desire is to have a positive influence on the Key West art scene, while adding an element of familiarity, exploration, and discovery.
$45, $35 mbrs.
The third workshop in the cinema workshop series examines the mise-en-scène, a French term taken from theater-meaning literally “putting on stage”. The elements of mise-en-scène include setting, character, lighting, composition and cinematic style. It is when all the elements of cinema come together after months of editing. In this workshop participants will explore new ways to watch a movie by examining the form and function of mise-en-scène.
$180, $160 mbrs.
Take your phone photography further with guidance on the best apps and editing techniques. This course teaches students to take better photos with their phones, providing editing instruction and time for practice.
Bill Carito is a retiree from Maine who has found the world of iPhone Photography and loves the ease and adventure of seeking out subjects, sharing, and exploring with photographers of all stripes from all over the world.
$35
Step in the shoes of the ancient masters by participating in the age old tradition of drawing and painting from life! Work from a live model for up to two hours. Practice and hone your skills in whatever medium you wish.
There is no instruction for this class. Please bring your own materials.