A reception on March 8 at Marathon’s Shady Palm Art Gallery saw visitors take in a massive 24-foot-long mosaic. And while some pieces are created by a single artist, the Mosaic of the Keys was the collaborative brainchild of 400 Keys painters and community members. As a celebration of community talent and an important source of funding for the Florida Keys Council of the Arts grants program for artists, the mural is composed of individually painted 6- by 6-inch canvases provided free of charge to Monroe County artists. After offering free workshops throughout the Keys to help contributors with guidance and materials, the FKCA collected, assembled and exhibited the mosaic at seven receptions throughout the county. Contributors to the Connections Project may donate to receive completed canvases, selected at random when the mosaic is eventually disassembled in May. To contribute to the project, visit keysarts.com.
