Key West The Newspaper

Key West Art & Historical Society Curator to Represent Key West in New Orleans

This month, the Key West Art & Historical Society moves beyond its local borders to New Orleans to encourage the world to explore some of the art, history and culture of Key West at the nationally recognized Odgen Museum of Southern Art, the Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival and the Tennessee Williams Scholar Conference.

Curator Cori Convertito ushered Key West’s presence there last week— along with philanthropist David Wolkowsky—to help launch the opening of a major exhibition at the Ogden Museum entitled, Tennessee Williams: The Playwright and the Painter, an exhibit that was previously showcased in 2014 at the Key West Custom House Museum.

“The intention of the exhibition was to showcase the playwright in a more developed narrative using his paintings as the catalyst,” says Convertito, remarking on the original exhibit.

The 17 exhibited paintings are on permanent loan to the Key West Art & Historical Society by Wolkowsky, one of Williams’ closest personal friends who provided the artist with inspiration by hosting him at his private island on Ballast Key. While most known as one of the 20^th century’s most significant playwrights for works that include “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “The Glass Menagerie,” and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” Williams also took up oil painting as a form of relaxation while living in Key West, often sketching friends, acquaintances and characters from his plays.

“Several of the paintings have allusions to his writings, including illustrating characters from his plays, short stories and poems,” she continues. “Many of the character references concern several of Williams’ lesser-known works.”

The curator will also participate in the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival from March 25-29, an annual event that draws a large audience of Tennessee Williams aficionados as well as writers, film producers, students and the like. She will also speak at the 20^th annual Tennessee Williams Scholar Conference, examining Williams’ artwork and his connection to Key West.

“During my discussion, I will be examining Williams’ artwork and his connection to Key West,” she says. “Ultimately, it will highlight our island, a place where Williams resided for four decades.

The visits by the curator mark a significant coup for The Society in its ability to reach beyond its own local borders with its mission by promoting Key West’s arts and cultural history in another major city.

Convertito calls the partnership opportunity between the Ogden Museum and the Key West Art & Historical Society “remarkable,” and notes the significant relationship Williams’ had with both cities and the exhibition as the first step in demonstrating the connection.

“Williams is recognized worldwide as one of the most important playwrights, and it is KWAHS’ responsibility to reveal his more personal side; the side that found comfort in Key West’s carefree lifestyle,” she says.

Though voraciously dedicated to his work while living on the island, Williams was also regarded as an active member of the community, assisting local theatre groups and promoting the Key West Public Library. He also appreciated the lifestyle Key West encouraged and afforded, riding his bicycle around the island with a daily swim at the beach and afternoons at his home at 1431 Duncan Street.

“He moved with relative anonymity around the island despite his international fame,” continues Convertito. “That, plus the relative acceptance of the homosexual community on the island, made this an attractive place for Williams to live and work.”

The exhibition will receive national attention and continue to promote the art, history and culture the island of Key West, and underscore the creativity that has long drawn the likes of artists and writers like Hemingway, Bishop, Silverstein, …and of course, Williams.

For more information call Cori Convertito at 295.6616 x 112 or visit WWW.KWAHS.ORG. Your Museums. Your Community. It Takes an Island.