By Lucy Komisar
April 23, 2025
The now iconic painter of Key West is Mario Sanchez, whose folkloric style captured the old town he grew up in. He was born in 1908 in Key West, the descendant of Cuban immigrants. He was self-taught and his works, labeled “primitive,” are complex, charming and, fortunately for aficionados, in the permanent collection of Key West’s Art and History Museum. His work spans 70 years; he died in 2005. Currently, the museum features a major exhibit of Sanchez’s work. Here are some of my favorites, inspired by the island’s people, history and culture.
Art & History Museum
Across the hall in another exhibit space, the museum smartly presents a more modern artist, Norbert Szilagyi, who called his work “tropical primitivism.” Szilagyi came to Key West in the 1980s, and this show features his metal sculptures.
Sebago Sunset Sail, then indoors for culture, politics, and music!
Art of another style is the gorgeous sunset you see on a sunset sail. This year I went on a favorite Seabago evening cruise.
People who sail know that Key West is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
Conch Tour Train
Of course, the first thing you should do when you first arrive in Key West is get the lay of the land and history with a tour on a Conch Train.
If you go
Key West Museum of Art & History
Photos by Lucy Komisar