Key West The Newspaper

Key West Art & Historical Society offers the second of their monthly Curator Series on Wednesday, February 18 from 12:30-1:30 pm at the Custom House Museum on 281 Front Street.

The session, led by The Society’s curator Cori Convertito, will focus on “Collections Management,” which will delve into “the complex nature of having a permanent collection, how we keep track of it and how we care for it,” she says.

“We have three museum sites, so this is no easy task,” she explains.

Key West Art & Historical Society is steward to the historic Fort East Martello Museum, the Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters and the Custom House Museum, each with their own permanent collections of more than 25,000 objects spanning from artifacts, textiles, paintings, postcards, photographs, ordnance and archives.

The collections reflect the heritage of Key West and highlights the people, places, and events that have shaped the Florida Keys. Through the generous support of donors, their diverse and extensive collection continues to expand, making “Collections Management” one of many subjects Convertito is well-versed in.

“We want people to appreciate how meticulous we have to be, how responsible we are for preserving our history and heritage and how we manage it in the age of technology,” says Convertito.

Self-proclaimed “museum junkie” and KWAHS volunteer Annette Liggett attended the first of the sessions and looks forward to the next talk “about how she and the KWAHS staff actually keep track of all of the “stuff” in their attic,” she says.

“As a KWAHS volunteer I have some understanding of the Society’s collection and it never ceases to amaze me the extent of the cultural artifacts that KWAHS owns,” says Liggett.

Liggett also commented on Convertito’s extensive museum knowledge and keen sense of humor.

“The sessions are informal, fun and even if you think you know a lot about museums – you’ll come away pleasantly surprised,” she says.

“I try to keep the session interactive, rather than lecture,” says Convertito of the sessions, a new component to the cultural heritage programming the Society sponsors.

The Series helps highlight the abundant history and cultural assets found in Key West while also helping the organization fulfill their goal of making the collections as accessible as possible.

Sessions take place the first Wednesday of every month through April, with free entry for members and a ten dollar donation for nonmembers. The Westin’s Bistro 245 offers a 20% discount for all participants after each session.

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

PHOTOS & CAPTIONS (HIGH RESOLUTION TO FOLLOW)

1. Key West Art & Historical Society curator Cori Convertito pauses during an exhibit installation to direct lighting position for a historic glass bottle display. Convertito’s work includes managing the collections for all three KWAHS museums, including exhibit planning, creation, and installation.
Photo by Carol Tedesco

2. Turn of the century D. Osborn & Company cigar box, featuring the Key West Custom House, part of the KWAHS collection managed by curator Cori Convertito.
Photo © Key West Art & Historical Society

3. Each KWAHS display case, like this one from the permanent U.S.S Maine Custom House Museum exhibit, requires multiple planning components, from research, to the writing of descriptive text, to exact planning of display, including the flow of information and each objects spatial relationship in the presentation.
Photo by Carol Tedesco