The
Florida Keys soon will have a permanent, public collection of locally
inspired art, thanks to the generosity of the Leslie E. Tassell Foundation.
The philanthropic group donated $60,000 to Mariners Hospital to showcase
artwork in the Leslie E. Tassell Medical Arts Building at Mariners
Hospital.
"This
new Florida Keys Collection at the Tassell Medical Arts Building will
highlight the talent and collective vision of the Florida Keys visual
arts community," said Mariners Hospital CEO Bob Luse. "We
want the collection also to reflect the quality of the Tassell Medical
Arts Building."
The
Tassell Medical Arts Building, which opened in 2002, was named after
the retired businessman-turned-philanthropist, who died at age 96
earlier this year. Tassell lived in Islamorada and Grand Rapids, Mich.
Mariners
Hospital chose The Gallery at Kona Kai to select and install the artwork
through a request for proposal process. Gallery Director Joe Harris
will spearhead the year-long project.
"There
are hundreds of artists who have chosen the Florida Keys as their
inspiration and subject matter," said Harris. "We will begin
with approximately 40 pieces that represent the natural and cultural
environment of the Florida Keys."
The idea for the art collection began with Mariners Development Director
Holly Padgett and Joyce Wisner, daughter of Leslie Tassell and a director
of The Tassell Foundation.
"The
Florida Keys Collection will represent the best of the spirit of the
Florida Keys through originality, vitality, creativity and artistic
excellence," said Wisner.
Artists
interested in having their artwork considered for The Florida Keys
Collection can write Joe Harris via e-mail at mail@fkcollection.org
or via postal mail at 97802 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037.
The collection will include but is not limited to original oil paintings,
lithographs, serigraphs, giclees, high quality prints, sculptures
and other media. Send digital images or photographs with a resume
and contact information. Visit www.fkcollection.org
for more information about the project.