Some people just pass through Key West. Others, like David Wegman, become part of its fabric.
For over 50 years, Wegman has lived and breathed the salty, sun-drenched life that makes Key West unlike anywhere else. He’s been a pirate, a painter, a boat builder, a storyteller and a musician — and in many ways, his art is Key West itself.
The Studios of Key West is presenting an exhibition of his life’s work. Opening with a reception on Thursday, April 3, from 6 to 8 p.m., “A 50-Year Retrospective by David Wegman” is a celebration of a life lived full sail and ever forward. On view through April 24, the collection brings together paintings, pastels, sculptures and pen-and-ink drawings from the artist.
From hand-painted bar signs to intricate bronzes, from boat sails to silver jewelry, Wegman’s pieces capture the colorful characters, the swaying palms, the late-night music and the endless horizon of the open sea.
Wegman is a Key West original, and his story is woven into the island’s history. In the 1970s, he left behind his Midwestern roots, sailing from one adventure to the next — racing cars, smuggling, playing music with Jimmy Buffett, sharing drinks with Keith Richards and even jamming with Bob Dylan aboard a boat in St. Barts. Through it all, he created art, every single day.
He still paints in his studio at the legendary Chicken Preserve, hosts weekly open mic nights, and continues to inspire generations of artists, sailors and dreamers.
In addition to the exhibition, visitors are invited to a free gallery talk with Wegman on Friday, April 11, at 5 p.m., to hear firsthand about his artistic journey, adventures at sea, and the stories behind his most iconic works.
