Guardians of the Keys
Thomas Keegan
- Artist
- Thomas Keegan
- Location
- Big Pine Key Fire Station, Big Pine Key, FL
- Installed
- April 18, 2016
A welded steel sculpture honoring the firefighters and first responders of the Lower Keys. The abstract form suggests both flame and protective shelter, standing eight feet tall at the fire station entrance.
“Guardians of the Keys” was commissioned as part of the construction of the new Big Pine Key Fire Station, fulfilling Monroe County’s Art in Public Places requirement for new public construction projects. Sculptor Thomas Keegan created a work that bridges the utilitarian nature of the fire station with the artistic spirit of the Keys community.
The sculpture’s upward-reaching steel forms are finished in a heat-treated patina that shifts from deep amber at the base to brilliant copper and blue at the tips, evoking the transformation of flame into sky. Keegan intentionally designed the piece to be viewed from multiple angles, ensuring that passing motorists, pedestrians, and station personnel each experience a distinct perspective.
The base of the sculpture incorporates a polished granite plaque recognizing the service of Monroe County firefighters and emergency responders. The piece was dedicated in a community ceremony attended by local officials and the families of first responders, underscoring the role of public art in honoring shared civic values.