Top Places To Visit For Artistic, Fashionable & Spirited Things In Key West -Day 2
When you think of island life with blue skies, tropical breezes, warm ocean waves and gregarious, creative people, you can’t help but think of the port of Key West. Located at the southernmost tip of Florida and the United States, this spirited small town is a haven for performing and visual artists from around the world who have made Key West their home.
I began day 2 of my shopping quest in Key West searching for more unique artists and retailers. Some I discovered through my own research and some were recommendations by locals and artists I had met the previous day.
Key West Cruise Port
Key West Pottery
I was lucky enough to discover this colorful gallery on my own, as it was located directly below our rental apartment. It is on the northern end of Duvall, where unfortunately, many cruise passengers don’t make it to. But if you are headed to La Tee Da restaurant or The Rum Bar, it’s just a few steps further and worth the walk. Owned by artists Adam Russell and Kelly Lever, Key West Pottery is a gallery showcasing the local’s perspective of coastal life through their diverse selection of tropical modern décor and artwork.
The gallery’s authentic works of modern and abstract art range from small clay vessels such as vases, cups, plates and bowls, to colorful home décor pieces such as their brightly colored hanging fish, to unique large artistic pottery jars, vases and sculptures, several of which adorn a few luxury hotels in Key West. In addition, the gallery features the artist’s modern paintings, along with a variety of contemporary and abstract prints ready for framing. There’s something here for every collector’s shelf and wall! Key West Pottery
Sacred Space Gallery
Featuring gifts and unique artwork made by over 25 local, female artists, Scared Space Gallery was created by four artists sharing studio space who opened it up to other female creatives. The gallery specializes in a variety of artwork and gifts made by women in the Florida Keys, including paintings, macrame wall hangings, pottery, soaps, candles, baskets, glass, paper, colorful hand painted wooden wall sculptures and so much more. The artists also offer classes in pottery, mosaics, jewelry making and shell painting to name a few. You’ll definitely find a one-of-a-kind Key West gift for yourself or friends and family at home. Sacred Space Gallery
One Fish Two Fish Studio
As visitors pass by this bright, sunlit studio/gallery and peer through the corner window, they will often find artist Sean Callahan busy at work on one of his many paintings, with his furry friend close by. Sean has always had a passion for art, but never more so than when he was ill and going through treatment. In the hospital, Sean’s nurses would bring him paper and colored pencils that brought him joy and kept him focused on healing. This led him to where he is today – happy, healthy and creating meaningful art.
Sean’s gallery features all original art that he creates in a variety of mediums including watercolor, acrylics, organic mixed media and more. He has been a master watercolor artist for 30 years. One of his favorite paintings is an homage to Ernest Hemingway, who once stated that his depression was like a black dog always by his side. Sean painted a black dog in a boat that is being cast out to sea as an homage to releasing depression. He also does a lot of pet portraits.
Sean’s creations don’t stop at just paintings. He collects coconuts into which he inserts a number of palm branches and paints them different colors to create a Coco Bouquet. He also designs colorful mobiles made out of Poncianna pods and materials from coconut palm trees, then paints them to look like fish, which are epoxied for outdoor display as well. One Fish Two Fish Studio
Key West First Legal Rum Distillery
On my second “spirited” stop, not only was I able to have a tasting of some of Key West’s finest rums, but I was also able to tour the distillery and get a tutorial in the artistry of how rum is crafted. First Legal Rum opened in 2013 and was chosen as winner of the Best American Craft Rum in 2023. As visitors enter the tasting room, they are offered a frozen pina colada sample that is made fresh daily in-house. Then the guides take you on a journey of rum tastings from sweet to slightly savory.
The 20-minute distillery tour walks us through the history and tradition of rum making, explaining how different processes and six-times distilling, oftentimes in whiskey barrels, results in the variety of flavorings and alcohol content. Their process of “Chef Distilled” rum blends sugar cane with infusions of coconut, vanilla, crème brule and real key lime. A bottle of First Legal’s delicious pineapple rum made it home safely in my suitcase, although they will ship to your home as well! Key West First Legal Rum Distillery
Island Boy Arts
Artist Rafael Medina was born in Key West Florida, and inspired by his grandfather who was a talented, renowned sign painter. As a self-taught artist, Rafael’s creative style is described as abstract expressionism and interactive artwork. His paintings focus on colorful sea life, coral, ocean waters and the translucent, dancing light that surrounds them. When I visited Rafael in his studio, he was working on a large painting of a beautiful swordfish. Although his works on canvas are stunning, he also paints on wood, which adds a different dimension to his creations. Island Boy Arts
Backyards of Key West
Just a few steps from Island Boy Arts, I met another talented artist, Mark Baratto. Mark’s colorful work features iconic Key West houses, sunny beaches, landmark Key West buildings and of course, chickens. Each of these designs can be purchased as canvas giclee prints in a variety of sizes and even coasters. In addition, Mark offers original mixed media pieces that are hand painted with touches of diamond dust and gold leaf. His vibrant images of the Southernmost buoy image and roosters are iconic.
Mark is expanding his “Backyards” theme to include coastal towns throughout the U.S. in addition to Key West, so that those who love the New England or North Pacific coastal landscapes can also enjoy a colorful rendition of these regions. Mark’s most recent innovative project is named “100 Hemingways”. Mark has taken the iconic bust of Ernest Hemmingway on canvas and embellished it into an abstract composition of intricate themed portraits. Named Papa Dream, Papa Space, Papa Ocean, Papa Love and more, these original compositions are true original masterpieces.
In addition, Mark hosts a weekly Backyards of Key West Podcast during which he interviews local event planners, artists, entertainers, restaurateurs, chefs and many more fascinating guests with heartfelt stories about life in Key West. Backyards of Key West
Key West Sail Bags
Before ending my day, I discovered a small shop that specializes in salvaging used boat sails and making them into functional décor and accessories. The designer, Linda McCall, explained to me how the sails are not biodegradable, making their disposal unhealthy for our environment. So she collects used sails from up and down the Florida Keys, cleans, disassembles and re-sews them into sturdy and fashionable accessories on a sewing machine right in her store. Linda’s appliqué motifs are all hand cut from premium quilter’s cotton and machine applied in her shop. Key West Sail Bags
This concluded my shopping adventures on this visit to Key West. When you arrive, be sure to pick up the Key West Art Guide, or view it on facebook, for a complete directory of the talented artists, studios, galleries and boutiques located on this remarkable, friendly, tropical island named Key West.
Coming up - Join me as I travel back to the West Coast to visit three sunny So Cal ports of call, Long Beach, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. There, we’ll discover creative and kitschy Things both old and new!
Till then, keep cruisin’ through life, discovering your own special Things!
CHEERS!
