The Art Guild of the Purple Isles will host its 60th annual Judged Art Show beginning Thursday, Feb. 19 through March 30. This show commemorates and honors 60 years of Florida Keys artists who formed and were instrumental in creating an organization dedicated to encouraging artists endeavors and to bring art to the public.
Over the years, the show has transformed from the Annual Show to the Members’ Judged Art Show. This year, the show is changing venues and moving from the Keys History and Discovery Center to the Dolphin Life Hospital in Islamorada.
“We are so excited about collaborating with the Dolphin Life Hospital, which features a truly unique atmosphere combining education, animal rescue and rehabilitation, and history in an old Keys building,” said show chairwoman Karen Kubacki. Members’ artwork will be displayed among lighted sea life tanks. Because of the acquired additional space, the show will feature larger pieces of art.
The show includes work in oil, acrylic, pastel, mixed media, photography and sculpture. Ribbons will be awarded for first, second and third place in each category, plus the People’s Choice Award and Best of Show. This year’s judge is Miami’s Andres Lopez, an artist who has won awards on a global scale.
“We are honored to have an artist of such caliber to be judging our show this year,” Kubacki said.
An opening reception, open to the public, will be held on Thursday, Feb. 19 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. with food and beverages. Overflow parking for the event is available at the Bayside Gourmet, Otherside Boardsports and the Sandal Factory. The Dolphin Life Hospital is located at 82748 Overseas Highway. There is no fee to view the show. Upon entrance the public simply has to say they have come to see the Judged Show.
“We regret that the History and Discovery Center was no longer able to accommodate us, but congratulate them on their expansion of history exhibits into the previous gallery space,” Kubacki said. “We are thrilled at the opportunity given to us to promote and beautify the Dolphin Life Hospital with our upcoming art exhibit. We are looking forward to a long working relationship with the Dolphin Life Hospital.”
In addition to the Judged Art Show, the guild will host a one-day botanical show on Feb. 28 at the Francis Tracy Garden Plaza, MM 94, bayside in Tavernier. Art will be available for purchase in the center’s clubhouse from 10 a.m to 3 pm.
And new art will be rotated in the Tassell Building at Mariners Hospital on the second floor, MM 95, and at the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, MM 106.
