Key West The Newspaper

Are you an artist with a knack for engineering and teaching others the nuts and bolts of how things work? Key West Art & Historical Society is preparing to celebrate its Third Annual Papio Kinetic Sculpture and Art Bike Parade, with events set for May 4-6, and is looking for “Kinetic Coaches”—artists that will lead local school STEAM class (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) teams in creating parade entries.

“Artists will share their ideas and skills with the students, keeping them motivated and the project on track,” says Adele Williams, Society Director of Education.  “These selected artists will help students prepare and create dynamic sculptures that reflect the spirit of Papio while weaving in STEAM principles.”

Selected artists will receive a $600 stipend to conduct workshops with students at three different schools, presenting information on kinetic art principles and application, and team mobile sculpture idea development and production.

Inspired by and named for the late Keys artist Stanley Papio, a humorous rebel metal-artist who explored the value of recycled materials long before it was hip to be rusty, the parade will present a cavalcade of human-powered mobile sculptures that will launch from the Custom House Museum at 5:00pm, on Saturday, May 5, and conclude with a post-parade party and concert with Poi Dog Pondering at the Truman Waterfront Park Amptheatre, complete with cash awards for best kinetic sculpture floats and art bikes.

The Papio Kinetic Sculpture Parade is sponsored in part by the State of Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, The Helmerich Trust, and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. For registration information, event schedule, entry guidelines and pre-parade workshop information, visit www.papiokineticparade.com or call Adele Williams, 305.295.6616 x 115.   Your Museums.  Your Community.  It takes an Island.