The quote “All politics is local politics” dates back to 1932. Ten years earlier, the now well-known artist hub of Key West, Florida, celebrated its inception as a township. As the city celebrates its centennial in 2022, we are reminded the Florida Keys visitor experience transcends politics and embraces guests through its art – where All art is still local art.
“I woke up in the Spring of 2019 and decided to sell both of my galleries on Duval Street. The rent was going up.” explained the lady at the counter. To this Miami resident the phrase “the rent is going up” is as common as Cuban coffee on Eight Street in Little Havana. In Florida, it has become one thing we can all relate to.
The lady at the counter happened to be one of the most popular artists in the Keys, Fran Decker. She comfortably shared the appeal of the co-op Guild Hall Art Gallery - where we were on Duval Street. It opened in 1976 as a local artists’ gallery. The other gallery she described is the must see local artists’ gallery that also happens to be the oldest gallery in Key West -the non-profit Key West Art Center at Mallory Square. I visited another local artist Lisa Suarez at that gallery the day before. Lucky for me, Fran’s work is featured in both galleries. This was a brush with Key West fame.
A thirty-four-year resident of Key West, Fran’s story is intriguing as much as other Key West icons. From Ernest Hemingway to Tennessee Williams, Key West has attracted literary greats and skilled painters alike.
Fran began her stay in the Keys as a conservationist after graduating from Wellesley College with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Biology. She worked for many years in the environmental field with The Nature Conservancy and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. She also spent ten years in Boston and sixteen years running the boat charter business she shared with her late husband, called “Double Decker”. Her paintings show interpretations of many adventures featuring everything from the Keys beloved sea turtles to famed Key West landmarks. They reflect a beautiful story built over time.
This is not the beginning of this Key West adventure story. Over the course of several trips to the Keys, my boyfriend and I have managed to find the best of the best of Key West. Lets start with where to stay: the Saint Hotel if you’re a Marriott fan and not on a budget and L’ Habitation if you want the authentic 100-year old restored home-to-hotel Key West experience without the Autograph hotel price tag. The happy hour starts at four pm at L’Habitation and is included with the room price.
To indulge in Key West’s “to talk about” libations meander past the Marilyn Monroe statute mimicking the famed “Some Like It Hot” skirt flaring image at the Tropic Cinema and cross the street to the red carpet entry at the Saint Hotel’s red front door where some like cold drinks.
Open the door and find the not-to-be-missed photo opt at the grandeur of everything at the Saint Hotel. It boasts part off-the-wall, and all “must see”. The happy hour at the restaurant and lounge at the Saint Hotel - Tempt - starts at 4:17 p.m. and lasts until 7:14 p.m. EST- so don’t be late. Featuring all the virtues of a classic speakeasy, the food here is as refined as the drinks. I highly recommend the new-to-the-menu shrimp scampi paired with the spicy libation with a jalapeño paired with fresh agave, mango juice and, oh yeah, more vodka.
If you were lucky enough to get a room at the quaint L’ Habitation, enjoy the breakfast included, pack up, and stop back in at the Key West Art Center - featuring up to 50 local artists. It is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm EST. Then, make another stop at Guild Hall Gallery - currently featuring 26 local artists - currently open from 10 am to 8 pm EST Monday-Friday and noon to 5 pm EST on Sundays to support Key West local art.
On your way out of town, stop at the Thirsty Mermaid on Fleming Street for some oysters, a lobster roll, and a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc. And the beautiful journey back to Miami on Overseas Highway begins again.
If you don’t want to drive yourself, hop on the big red tour bus or find yourself in the comfort of the Flixbus for $30.99 per ticket each way - wifi included, drinks for purchase. (More recently, Flixbus added an option for a round trip, day trip.)
If you cannot find a room or are looking for any additional information contact the Keys concierge, “Alicia” in the Keys at KeyWestEasy.com. The only question left - when is the next trip Key West?
The music featured in this vlog is “No One” by Alicia Keys.