Creatives in the Florida Keys Christy Haussler

Despite many of the major set-backs we’ve had to overcome as creatives during the pandemic, creativity will always find a way to prevail. In today’s interview, Elizabeth Young, the Executive Director of the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, shares how the Keys has been impacted by COVID-19 and what the Council of the Arts has been doing to support local artists. 
Nancy and Liz discuss the changes being made in order to allow artists to continue their work, and the importance of them being persistent in pursuing the arts. Tune into this interview to hear more about the amazing supports the Florida Keys Council of the Arts is providing for local artists and how you can continue to support local artists through difficult times. 
 
Show Highlights: 
What is life like for locals in the Keys during quarantine  How did COVID impact the local art scene  Nancy shares what the art council did to help support local artists during the pandemic  What changes are being made for the arts community to continue their work  Why the pandemic won’t stop creativity
 
Links: 
https://www.43keys.com
Contact Liz: 
https://keysarts.com

Today’s episode of Creatives in the Keys is an update from a previous guest. I interviewed Jessica Ann Hessing during Art Walk in Islamorada more than a year ago. So much has changed in the art world in just the last 6 months, that I wanted to bring Jessica back to give us an update on how her business has survived Covid-19 and how her business has changed because of it.
Jessica Ann Hessing is a marine life artist connecting people to a moment they shared in, on, or by the sea. Her mission is to connect you to conservation through her art. She hopes to inspire you to protect our beautiful oceans and shorelines by connecting with the work she creates. She was born and raised in the Florida Keys, you can always find her near the ocean.
Show Highlights:
Jessica has a brick and mortar gallery in the Morada Way Art District in Islamorada. Since festivals and in-person art shows have been canceled due to Covid-19, Jessica has pivoted to more online art sales. Jessica has been working on some beautiful collections in partnership with conservation organizations. If you sign up for Jessica’s email list on her website, you get access to her new collections when they come out. Instagram is where Jessica has been spending her time and she uses the platform for live art sales too! Functional art is what Jessica has been adding to her collections lately, with a line of cutting boards and vases. You can check them out on her website!
 
Resources:
Jessica Ann Art
Follow Jessica on Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest 
Other Artists and Galleries Mentioned:
Morada Way Clay
Portside Studio
The Rum Brush
Florida Keys Brewing Company
 
Follow us at 43keys.com

Carving is a unique artistry that takes practice, time, and dedication. Often times, it can take years of patience before a piece speaks to you and it’s finished. In today’s interview, artist Mike Ashcraft shares what inspired him to become a woodworker, and what inspires him every day to create his pieces. Mike talks about his journey as an artist and what it’s like to be an independent artist in the Keys. Join Nancy in this interview to hear more about Mike’s work and for tangible tips for starting artists in the Keys. 
Show Highlights: 
Mike shares what brought him to the Keys  Mike talks about how he got into carving and how he learned to do it  The wood often speaks to you and inspires what to carve  There are endless possibilities for what Mike can carve and the various woods he can use  Mike shares the story that pushed him into the shop he has now  Being an independent artist in the Keys can be difficult  Having confidence and loving what you do can help you pursue your passion  Mike shares how he found his passion and how it saved him  Giving your work all of your time is important to get started  The business side is the most important part to navigate  Keeping a journal and having contracts for everything can help you long term  Mike discusses how you price things as an artist 
 
Links: 
https://www.43keys.com

Painting is an amazing creative outlet for anyone willing to take instruction and dedicate the time to learn. If nothing else, it can be a fun experience, especially at paint night! Paint night is an event hosted at Puerto Vallarta in the Florida Keys where local artists and tourists come together to paint with local artist, Susan Jankowski.
Sue creates a safe space and opportunity for painters of all skill levels to come and paint something they are proud of. Join Nancy in this episode as she interviews various artists at Paint Night to hear more about their experiences and why you should come participate in a fun night of painting and guac with your family and friends. 
Show Highlights: 
Nancy talks about why she paints and became an artist  Paint night allows for artists to get together in a creative space with an amazing instructor  There is a great mix of locals and tourists who come together to create something new Nancy shares the process of getting started at paint night  Painting provides for the opportunity to relieve stress and have a community  Painting for young children is a great opportunity for them to explore their creativity  Jewel shares why she loves paint night and what drew her to start coming  Paint night creates a great environment to meet new people and have fun  What makes paint night different from other paint with a twist, paint and sip, or paint by numbers  Puerto Vallarta is a unique space for people to come create and eat  George talks about what brought him to paint night and what his experience has been  Liz talks about what inspired her to paint and how she expresses her creativity through fashion   Paint night is one of the best evening experiences in the Florida Keys  Sue helps you translate your inspiration by mixing colors and helping you sketch 
 
Links: 
https://www.43keys.com
Susan Jankowski’s paint classes have moved to her art studio in the Morada Way art district in Islamorada, FL.  Contact Susan Jankowski on Facebook or at (305) 304-6478

Today’s guest is professional ceramicist, Beth Kaminstein. At the age of 16, Beth’s mother  helped her form a relationship with a local potter who taught and inspired her. Beth also studied ceramics, drawing, and dance in college and enjoyed traveling to Italy and studying ceramics there. So how did Beth finally get to the Florida Keys? Catch the show to hear her story.
 
Show Highlights:
Beth shares how she began her career as a ceramicist. Beth tells how her love of the Florida Keys began. Beth says while traveling to Greece and Turkey, she met a potter who had the lifestyle she wanted. Beth realized she could have the affordable lifestyle she wanted in the keys. Beth shares how the nature, including leaves of the keys inspires her work. Beth tells us that ceramics is not how she makes her living, by choice. Beth gives advice for anyone interesting in making the Florida Keys home. Beth’s work is sometimes featured in Steven Harvey’s gallery on Forsyth in NYC Beth’s work will travel to NADA Fair in Miami with Steven Harvey during the first week in December. Beth did an exhibition proposal for the Studios of Key West. Beth shares about what inspires her to create.
 
Links: 
Steven Harvey’s Fine Art Projects
NADA Fair in Miami, FL
The Studios of Key West
 
Currently, Beth’s work can be seen online at the Huxley-Lavelle Fine Art Gallery. 
 
Beth's Website

Today’s guest is artist, gallery owner, and lifelong educator, Carmen Sotolongo Kelley. Carmen is the owner and founder of Key Largo Art Gallery, which includes work from various artists, along with her own work. Carmen is a Cuban-American artist who experiments with various mediums and colors to allow for an array of diversity in her work. Join Nancy in today’s conversation to learn more about Carmen’s journey as an artist, what her creative process looks like, and how the Keys has influenced and inspired her artistic career. 
Show Highlights:
Carmen shares how she began her career as an artist  Carmen was relocated to the Keys and began renting a studio space to prioritize her art, which led to her owning a gallery  Carmen discusses her creative process and what inspires her  Much of Carmen’s work is reflective of her Cuban heritage but she likes to experiment with emotions  What is it like to be an artist in the Keys in comparison to other places  It’s important to give back to your community as an artist  Carmen has been a lifelong educator and currently teaches art  Becoming an artist can be hard and take years to get recognized  If you always do your best, you’ll always be successful 
Links:
Connect with Key Largo Art Gallery on Facebook
Connect on the Web