Press release

"Age Before Beauty” at the Custom House Museum

One of Key West’s most colorful and creative characters, you might think that J.T. Thompson is busy enough with One Human Family and his art director duties. But he has also been photographing the French Quarter’s architectural gems for the last 15 years. After Katrina and Rita damaged the area, we all have increased awareness of the French Quarter’s historic and fragile beauty. The architectural vignettes of the French Quarter, in textured shapes of weatherbeaten wood, rust and oxidized paint resemble Mondrian’s graphic directness. “I’ve love things that are time-worn,” explains J.T., the art director for Solares Hill Design Group. “My parents took me to antique shops when I was growing up, and that’s where I acquired a taste for things that have survived a long while... age being a significant part of their beauty.” The idea that some objects need age before they show their full beauty inspired the title of J.T.’s first one man show... “Age Before Beauty.” The show of intriguing yet soothing photographs opens at Key West’s Custom House Museum on Thursday, January 19 and runs through April 1, and is part of the museum’s prestigious ongoing “Artists In Season” program. “At the opening,” says J.T., “we’ll be serving cajun jambalaya and playing the piano rolls of Jelly Roll Morton. The show will feature the eccentric-framed photos and a number of New Orleans style antiques to create the feeling of the French Quarter.” Antiques are being provided by Key West’s premier antique shop, the Duck & Dolphin, owned by Paul Cox. “And, being that these images celebrate the French Quarter,” says J.T., “a portion of the proceeds from this exhibition have already gone - and will go - to the New Orleans recovery efforts, including the animal rescue teams known as Noah’s Wish.” “The serenity of these photos,” J.T. comments, “hides the fact that most were taken within feet of Mardi Gras madness... but the images are so peaceful, you’d never know.” J.T.’s work urges us to slow down and find beauty in unlikely places. “Most people just walk past these doorways, mailboxes and front steps since they are old and unpainted, thinking they are not beautiful. The truth is that this is a quiet - but powerful - beauty that has evolved through time.” Photos in the exhibition have been mounted in everything from Civil War daguerreotype frames to classic wooden frames from the early 20th century. Large format prints produced by 901 Signs will impart a contemporary feel and scale. “Hopefully, there will be something for everyone’s taste,” adds J.T. J.T is the community-activist creator of the slogan “One Human Family,” the official philosophy of Key West, Monroe County and the Conch Republic. He is also known for having designed Key West’s Seminole Park by the Casa Marina and for his many whimsical and outrageous creations for local art auctions and fundraisers. J.T. even designed the two biggest-selling Fantasy Fest posters in the event’s history. “I love working in new mediums,” he says, “creating in new directions.” “I really must thank the Anne McKee Artists’ Fund for their assistance in making this show a reality,” explains J.T., “and to Norman Aberle and the Custom House staff for their efforts in installing this exhibition. Last, but not least, I sincerely thank my partner Gregory Wilson, and my loving parents in Scottsdale, Arizona, for their faith, confidence and support in making all these pieces come together. And Solares Hill Design Group has generously sponsored the opening night’s invitation postcards.” The one-of-a-kind, framed and signed artist proofs are all printed on museum-quality archival stock with 100-year inks by Alan Kenish Studios. In addition to the framed photographs, visitors to the exhibition will also be able to purchase limited edition, artist-signed and numbered posters which feature five of the most popular images in the show. “Hopefully, everyone will see how beauty can be found in the most unlikely places and slow down and notice the sublime aesthetics in the most overlooked locations. Stop for a minute,” advises J.T., “and if you just take the time to look close up, you will probably find something beautiful right next to you no matter where you are. We should appreciate how age imparts a subtle beauty that newness and youth never have.” That’s “Age Before Beauty”... stunning yet soothing images of the French Quarter’s style and a message about appreciating the beauty around us. For information about the exhibition, please call the Custom House Museum at 295-6616. Laisse le bon temps rouler!

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