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The Studios of Key West - located in the historic Armory building on White Street

The Studios of Key West (TSKW) is a 501(c)3 art center in the heart of Key West, Florida at 600 White St.

Founded in 2006, The Studios of Key West provides a collaborative and supportive environment for creative experience, nurtures the creation of new work, and supports the advancement of established and emerging creative people in the Florida Keys.

In addition to supporting local artists and creative people, TSKW is a starting point for tourists and visitors who would like to connect with the cultural life of the island. The organization offers a full program of cultural experiences each year, including exhibitions, lectures, workshops, concerts, and community partnership projects.

By offering regular creative opportunities, such as the monthly Walk on White open studio tours, monthly life drawing sessions, and a series of lectures and presentations by and about creative people, the Armory has become a destination for both residents and visitors.

TSKW’s residency program provides 4-6 week residencies on the island for artists from all over the world, and TSKW’s studio artist program provides long term work space for local artists in one of their 15 studio spaces.

Campus and Facilities

The Armory

The historic Armory building (built in 1902) is the hub of TSKW’s campus and provides the base for most programs. 

TSKW renovated the building and moved in in 2006, and it is now home to two separate spaces for exhibitions including the downstairs Main Hall and Space 2 upstairs. The second floor also houses several studios for artists and writers.

Sculpture Garden

Adjacent to the Armory is The TSKW Sculpture Garden, a landscaped area that hosts several sculpture installations each year. The garden has been home to the work of many artists including John Martini, Susan Rodgers, Lauren McAloon, CR Gray, Anja Marais, and others.

610 Studios

In 2010, to meet the growing demand for additional work space for artists, TSKW expanded their studios program by adding several studios two doors down from the Armory at 610 White Street.

Ashe Street Residency Cottages In mid 2011, TSKW began renovation work on 607 and 609 Ashe Street for use as residency cottages for visiting artists. Upon completion of the project in early 2012, the cottages will include three suites with two attached working studios, an outdoor nature center, an expanded sculpture garden, and an outdoor area for small gatherings.

Residency Program

The Studios of Key West launched a residency program in 2007, and has since hosted dozens of artists, musicians, and cultural figures from all over the world, including Madison Smartt Bell, Nemo Librizzi, MOMO, Coleman Barks, Curt Richter, Herbert Weissberg, Sandro Kopp, Helen Whitney, and many others.

Stays average 4-6 weeks, and the proposal period for applications is January 1-May 15 each year. Successful applicants are provided with living space, and in many cases are also afforded work space. 

Programs

TSKW hosts many programs and exhibitions throughout the year.

Exhibitions

TSKW hosts approximately 32 exhibitions and installations each year in the Armory Main Hall, Space 2, and the Sculpture Garden. Proposals for exhibitions are accepted from local and visiting artists and are installed for 2-4 week periods. The third Thursday of the month is known as Walk on White, and TSKW, along with other businesses and galleries along White Street, hold open their doors for a festive gallery walk. The TSKW artist studios are open to the public and visitors are encouraged to also view the current exhibitions.

Workshops and Classes

Each year, TSKW offers a full season of weekly classes, workshops and longer-term courses that cater to both local island residents and visitors. Weekly classes and courses provide opportunities for study with artists like Rick Worth, Karen Beauprie, Jim Salem, Rosalind Brackenbury, Richard Grusin, Mike Rooney, Roberta Marks, Letty Nowak and others.

TSKW also offers many 1-4 day workshops in the visual, performing and literary arts each year. These workshops are taught by instructors like Frank Francese and Robert Burridge. Past instructors have included Charles Reid, William Welch, and Susan Sugar.

Concerts

TSKW hosts two concert series each year, a contemporary folk series called Old Town New Folk which features national singer/songwriters, and a cabaret series which features local island talent. Past Old Town New Folk musicians have included Peter Mayer, Emily Saliers, Livingston Taylor, Susan Werner, Noel Paul Stookey, and Ben Harrison.

The Cabaret Series is also popular, and recently, TSKW has begun presenting 1-2 classical concerts each year with esteemed musicians.

Lectures

Since 2008, The Studios of Key West has partnered with The Friends of the Library to host their free lecture series every Monday evening from early January to late March at 6 pm. the series hosts leading writing and cultural figures and in the past has included presentations by Calvin Trillin, Jean Carper, Lee Smith, Lou Harris, former U.S. Poet Laureate Maxine Kumin, poet Billy Collins, authors James Gleick, Barbara Ehrenreich, Judy Blume and Meg Cabot, to name just a few.