Due to funding issues, Sculpture Key West will be postponed until December 1, 2012. In the interim, watch for fundraising events you can attend to be sure the show will open this year and for years to come.
Here's more from Keysnews.com.
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An annual open-air sculpture exhibit usually displayed at outdoor venues throughout Key West this time of year has altered its schedule and will return in December.
Sculpture Key West, like so many other nonprofits, has struggled with funding, and decided to use 2012 as an adjustment period to rearrange its exhibit schedule.
"It is a funding issue, and we would have had a problem if we had a show now," Executive Director Vera Vasek said of the typical January through April schedule.
The 2012 show will open on Dec. 1 to coincide with Art Basel Miami Beach, a renowned, international contemporary art event that features work from more than 2,000 artists in 260 galleries.
"Art Basel is always the first week of December. We couldn't do two exhibits in one year, and our whole approach is to open Sculpture [Key West] on Dec. 1 so people can come to Key West either before or after they go to Miami," said Vasek. "We're trying to reap the benefits of that contemporary art crowd and really show the world the entries and the intrigue that exists here."
The organization on Wednesday will issue a call to artists to submit their sculpture plans, which will be evaluated by a panel of jurors that will decide on the final entries. Olivia Georgia, a New York-based art management professional, has been selected as this year's head juror, who is always chosen from outside the Florida Keys.
Vasek said Sculpture Key West 2012 is planning to exhibit 25 pieces, with most installed at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. Satellite exhibits will be displayed at the West Martello Tower, home of the Key West Garden Club, and at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden on Stock Island.
"Our head jurist has already stressed that she loved what the various venues have to offer individually, such as the more intimate spaces at the Garden Club, versus the open field at Fort Taylor," Vasek said, adding that Sculpture Key West plans to work closely with Friends of Fort Taylor, the park's nonprofit support group.
The project started in 1995 when local artist Jim Racchi introduced Art in the Park at Fort Taylor. The event grew and eventually changed its name in 2005 to Sculpture Key West.
"We're still around," Vasek emphasized, adding that funding is crucial and donations, as well as memberships, are always gratefully accepted.
The organization aims to provide a $1,000 honorarium to each artist selected to participate. The money will enable artists to come to Key West and install their work. Often, additional workers are needed for the installations to ensure that they will withstand winds at the fort, Vasek said.
On Tuesday, Vinos on Duval will host a fundraiser for Sculpture Key West. For more information, visit www.sculpturekeywest.org.
Source: http://keysnews.com/node/37795