Fans of the late singer Elvis Presley and his former wife, Priscilla Presley, along with local arts patrons, packed the rooftop at The Studios of Key West on Jan. 6 for a special appearance by Priscilla Presley and artist Adam Scott Rote, who has painted her as well as dozens of other celebrities. The event at The Studios coincided with a show of Rote’s work at Key West Gallery.
Rote spoke for most of the two-hour event, describing his experiences painting the likes of Al Pacino, Tom Brady, Robert De Niro, Jane Fonda, Goldie Hawn and countless others.
When Presley, now 77, arrived toward the end of the event, she spoke with Rote and answered questions. Priscilla Presley married the “King of Rock ’n’ Roll” in May 1967 when she was 21 years old, having first met the singer in Germany when she was 14. The two were married for six years and divorced four years before Elvis’ death in August 1977. They remained close following the divorce and Priscilla, who became an actress, also is credited with saving the Presley family estate by turning his Graceland mansion into a museum and overseeing business operations of the estate.
