from the KEY WEST ART & HISTORICAL SOCIETY 281 FRONT STREET, KEY WEST, FL 33040 295-6616 Fax: 295-6649
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Artist Cynthia Wynn is best known for turning scrap into sculpture but her upcoming exhibit at the Museum of Art & History at the Custom House will also feature her vibrant paintings in the American Expressionist style. In her eclectic studio on Stock Island, Wynn explained that the show, part of the Art & Historical Society's Artists In Season program, will contain some new pieces of sculpted "low functioning" furniture that she is creating just for this exhibition. "I rarely make cabinets, but a dear friend gave me the scrap that will become this cabinet which I have been planning to create for almost five years." Wynn is also fashioning a corner table out of scrap from the base of a furnace which was given to her from another close friend who has since passed away. "The circumstances surrounding the corner table will make it a very special piece for me." Wynn also mentioned that one of her favorite things about working here is being able to purchase and work with scrap from renowned artist John Martini. In addition to new work, the exhibit will contain some of her favorite pieces on loan from private collections in the Florida Keys. Wynn began sculpting in 1989 when she took a welding class in order to build equipment and a kiln that she could use for her ceramics work. That class prompted her to make her first chair and after crafting six more chairs she won the North Carolina Ashville Student Art show and changed her focus from ceramics to sculpting. Since then she has traveled from the North Eastern United States here to the Keys entering art shows and exhibiting her unique sculptures, chairs, tables, lamps, other forms of furniture; and, now she also shows her paintings. "After taking a class with Roberta Marks, the paintings have become a new passion for me. I am applying the acrylics with color applicators from a beauty supply store." Wynn paused and continued, "Wow, that just made me realize an interesting connection: my grandmother was a beautician all of her life and now I am painting with beauty supplies!" Cynthia's favorite remarks about her paintings thus far have been inquiries at galleries asking the artist's nationality. "I think they are asking because the paintings have a primitive quality with all of the 'dottedness'. Apparently they think the artist is from the bush country in New Zealand or Australia." Cynthia Wynn "Over The Edge" is part of the Key West Art & Historical Society's Artists In Season Program at the Museum of Art & History at the Custom House. An Exhibit Opening Reception will be held Thursday, March 3rd from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. Complimentary wine, soft drinks, and hors d'oeuvres will be served and a full bar will be available for a suggested donation. Those attending the Reception are encouraged to dine afterwards at one of the Society's Exclusive Restaurant Partners who will donate 15% of each check to the Society's education programs for children (on the nights of Artists In Season Receptions only). The Partners are: Antonia's, Flagler's, Michaels Restaurant, and Nicola Seafood. The exhibit will run through April 18, 2005