2nd Annual Pigeon Key Art Festival This Weekend

Held as a fundraiser for the tiny historic island called Pigeon Key in the tropical Florida Keys, the two-day juried Pigeon Key Art Festival attracts exemplary artists and quality buyers from across the globe. The event takes place February 6 & 7 at the Marathon Community Park, MM49, Marathon FL and offers more than 70 fine artists and craftsmen, delicious regional cuisine and live art and auction by preeminent celebrity marine life artist, Wyland. New this year will be historical elements, art activities and educational programming highlighting the Pigeon Key Foundation’s important projects.

The Festival has invited some area research organizations to create a showcase of the important eco-tourism organizations that dominate the middle keys. At the Festival guests will find exhibits and displays, touch tanks, hands-on activities and even a puppet show that bring marine and wildlife education to life. Participants include Aquarium Encounters, Dolphin Research Center, Marathon Wild Bird Center @ Crane Point Hammock, Florida Key’s Community College, Save a Turtle, and The Turtle Hospital.

Historical preservation of the Island and Keys heritage is important to The Pigeon Key Foundation’s mission. On Saturday reenactors from the Key West Ship Wreck Museum will be on hand telling stories. Larry Herlth, Artist & Sculptor (also known as Lighthouse Larry) will educate guests on lighthouses in the Keys and Friends of Old Seven will offer their new plan for the Seven Mile Bride. Pigeon Key will present three informative talks: Invertebrates of the Florida Keys, History of Pigeon Key and Solar Energy & the Future. Guests are encouraged to retain their Festival admission ticket stubs and redeem them for a half-price ferry trip within one week of the show to experience Pigeon Key themselves.

Of course as an Art Festival there will be ample art, as well. In addition to the fine artists and craftsmen offering everything from paintings to pottery, furniture to heirloom jewelry, there will be an Artists raffle, live art paintings, kid’s face painting, classes and demonstrations. Wyland returns for a second year and will create his signature sumi-e drawings and auction them on the spot. Paintings will take place at 11 am and 2 pm daily. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. February 6 and 7. Two-day entry is $7 per person for adults and free for children under 12 and all fees stay local to help the Foundation carry out its mission to promote and preserve History, Education and Research. Parking is free at the Marathon Community Park. For more information and a full list of artists, activities and stage schedule, please visit the website at www.pigeonkeyartfestival.com.