Custom Made in the Florida Keys: Mario Sanchez at Work— “Every generation should tell the next one about its ancestors” was a statement often made by Key West’s celebrated folk artist Mario Sanchez, whose painted woodcarvings provide insights into the island’s rich culture and traditions while illustrating the diversity of the people who lived here.

This historic photograph, donated to the Society by Ida Woodward Barron, shows Sanchez carving one of the 600 pieces he produced during his 70 year career and is one of thousands of images carefully archived at the Custom House Museum and newly exhibited online at KWAHS.ORG/Collections.

Help protect and sustain the collection with a tax-deductible donation at KWAHS.ORG/support/ or donate a Florida Keys historical object at KWAHS.ORG/collections/donating-objects/ or by contacting Curator Cori Convertito, PhD at 305.295.6616 x 112. Your Museums. Your Community. It takes an Island.