An upcoming 352-page photo book, titled “Isolated Island – The Key West COVID-19 Spring of 2020,” brings the start of the pandemic into focus through a collection of images shot by more than 25 area photographers.
From March 1, when Florida’s first COVID-19 cases were announced, to June 1, the day after the quarantine checkpoint limiting access into the Florida Keys was dismantled, local lenses were capturing COVID’s impacts on the island chain.
“Isolated Island” is the brainchild of local businesswoman and photographer Roberta DePiero, who, in the early pandemic days, took her camera on daily bike rides. She soon noticed other photographers doing the same, and the idea of a fundraising photo book was born.
DePiero connected with photographer and publicist Carol Tedesco, and the two decided to collaborate, reaching out to fellow photographers and others whose talents would help bring the project to fruition.
“Many of us exulted in the newfound peace and clear blue waters, the cacophony of bird song and masses of butterflies, whilst others worried about putting food on the table and paying the rent,” local arts advocate Rosi Ware writes in the book’s foreword.
Putting food on the table and paying the rent is where Sister Season Fund Inc. comes in.
“The participating photographers selected Sister Season as the project beneficiary, and the fund’s board has been fabulously keen on making the most of its potential to provide relief for those in the community they serve,” DePiero said. “Everyone involved is donating their time and talents. So all funds raised above the printing cost will support Sister Season’s mission to prevent homelessness and provide assistance for Key West tourist industry workers, a mission that is especially crucial now due to the impact of COVID-19.”
Printed locally by Key West Printing, the book’s contributing photographers are Liz Acar, Peter Arnow, Susan Bailey, Michael Blades, Lynne Bentley-Kemp, Joe and Ozlem Berg, Larry Blackburn, Kyle Campbell, Jeffrey Cardenas, Alyson Crean, Roberta DePiero, Ralph DePalma, Heather D. Dow, Todd Andrew Feit, Tony Gregory, C.J. Groth, Jay Hall, Mark Hedden, Martha Hubbard, Bill Klipp, Linda Klipp, Corey Malcom, Andy Newman, Rob O’Neal, Steve Panariello, Carol Tedesco and Sharon Wells, with design and layout by Egad Inc. Graphic Art & Design, and text editing by Kathy Russ.The book is funded in part by a $1,000 Awesome Foundation Key West grant, along with private and public donations. Supporters wishing to contribute to the cost of printing this limited-edition collector’s item can do so at keywestauthors.com and at sisterseason.com, where book orders can now be placed. Those ordering by Oct. 31 will receive a pre-print special price of $49. Full price is $75 beginning Nov. 1.
