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from the KEY WEST ART & HISTORICAL SOCIETY 281 FRONT STREET, KEY WEST, FL 33040 295-6616 Fax: 295-6649 |
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The Key West Art and Historical Society recently received three grants totaling more than $100,000 from the State of Florida to help continue its funding of educational programs in the Keys and art exhibitions. Claudia Pennington, CEO of the society, said the grants would go toward existing educational programs and to help bring a larger variety of art exhibitions to the Custom House gallery. The Florida Division of Historical Resources gave two grants to the society. “We were given a $44,447 grant for general program support,” Pennington said. The general program grant will help support the society’s ongoing educational programs, conservation for the society’s unique collection of art and historical items and community events. The second grant for $35,000 is being used for new exhibits at the Key West Lighthouse and Keepers Quarters. The new exhibit opened on Sept. 16, Florida Lighthouse Day, and included two rooms dedicated to children and another exhibit that features the women of Key West who ran the lighthouse in the mid 1800s and early 1900s. The Florida Division of Cultural Affairs gave the society a grant for $28,728 to support its exhibits and associated program, such as lectures. “This grant allows us to feature local artists, such as our November exhibition of Bill Welch’s work entitled Here, There and Back Again and bring in the works of artists our residents would have to travel outside of the Keys to view,” Pennington said.” Pennington added that while the society has benefited from the three grants, it is the residents and visitors to the Keys who will have an opportunity to enjoy the new exhibits and educational programs. “The grants come at a time when art and historical societies nationally are looking for ways to operate with less,” Pennington said. “This money will go a long way in helping us continue our programs into 2007.”
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