In 1961, Key West Art & Historical Society presented the first public showing of Mario Sanchez’s art at Fort East Martello Museum. Today, The Society welcomes the public to the opening of Pencil Me In: The Sketches of Mario Sanchez on Friday, June 17, in the Bryan Gallery at the Custom House Museum located at 281 Front Street. The exhibit lauds the celebrated Cuban-American folk artist’s sketches done on brown paper bags, a process Sanchez used to guide the layout of his famed bas-relief woodcarvings.

“Much like sculptors employ maquettes, Sanchez used his sketches to visualize and experiment with shapes and ideas without undertaking the effort of producing elaborate woodcarvings,” say Society Curator Cori Convertito, PhD.

More than 70 sketches—the majority on permanent loan from local philanthropist David Wolkowsky—will offer a look into everyday Key West life, exemplified by vivid details and outdoor street scenes that Sanchez based on actual memories. In addition to the sketches, the exhibit will also explore Sanchez’s personal journey as an artist.

A self-taught artist born in 1908 in Key West’s Gatoville cigar-making neighborhood, Sanchez began working artistically in 1930, creating upwards of 600 paintings and woodcarvings in his lifetime. His work is known for capturing recognizable characters amid the simple life and activities he remembered as a child—flying kites, spinning tops, parades, and passing the time rocking on front porches—and reveal an important and colorful doorway to the cultural history of the island and its people.

“His woodcarvings tell a story of Old Key West, melding art and history in a single scene,” says Convertito. “Standing in front of one of Sanchez’s carvings, you observe the talent of the most extraordinary Cuban-American folk artist while also learning about Key West’s fascinating history.

In 1985, Sanchez was presented with the Florida Folk Heritage Award by the Florida Secretary of State and the Florida Folklife Council, and today is considered one of the nation’s greatest folk artists.

“Key West is fortunate to have Mario Sanchez as part of its artistic heritage,” says Convertito. “His sketches and woodcarvings are emblematic of our community, making him a local treasure. His artwork appeals to a broad spectrum of people – locals, visitors, adults and children – and his storytelling is timeless.”

Sponsored in part by David Wolkowsky, Pencil Me In: The Sketches of Mario Sanchez will open with a special reception from 5:30pm-7:00pm on Friday, June 17 and runs through December 31. For more information, contact Cori Convertito, curator at [email protected] or 305.295.6616 x112. Your Museums. Your Community. It takes an Island.