The Damsels to Divas exhibit continues at the Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House through April 26.
This exhibition includes photos, sculpture, paintings, antiques and religious pieces that share the theme of femininity in its many manifestations— and all have come from the collections of Key West residents.
The exhibit, curated by museum professional George Korn, is the first in what is hoped will be a series of exhibitions under the general title: Key West Collects.
In preparing the show, Korn, who has been a curator for exhibits at the New Jersey State Museum and the Nantucket Historical Association, visited dozens of homes in Key West where he discovered a plethora of fascinating objects.
"It soon became apparent that I would have to make some choices. There was so much quality that I couldn't even begin to make a survey of the art objects in Key West Collections," he says. "So a decision was made to focus on the theme of the female."
Visitors will see a range of art works from ancient Grecian urns with cavorting maidens and Egyptian mummy masks to Andy Warhol's rendition of Liz Taylor and Allen Jones' Pop art print of a woman's pump.
"There are women portrayed as temptresses as well as Madonnas," said Korn, who explained that there was so much material available that he was hard pressed to make the selections.
"I looked for quality, diversity and eclecticism. The only criteria I had was that I did not want to include contemporary Key West artists, because we are exposed to their work in the innumerable galleries around the island.
"There was so much variety in what I picked, that I needed to settle on the title Damsels to Divas to be inclusive," he said.
Most of the more than 60 pieces in the exhibit are accompanied by descriptive labels, though not every owner wanted to be identified, he said. "These collectors all welcomed me into their homes and were very generous in loaning the pieces.
"They have provided a valuable service to the community by making these things available for public viewing and enjoyment," Korn said. In the future he plans to do more Key West Collects exhibits concentrating on other themes.
The exhibit runs through April 26.