Marsha Williams with the Anne McKee Artists Fund joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about the organization.
The fund began in 1992.
Williams said, “Anne McKee, our patron who passed away, by the way, a couple years ago, at the age of 100 started this fund because she realized that artists needed help in buying materials and brushes and canvases and everything like that. So she started an auction where we have continued that to this date. We just had our 32nd annual auction. We raise money, and then we turn around and give that money back to the artists so that they can buy all their materials. We also support writers and performers in our community.”
Art From the Attic is currently going on.
Williams said, “What we did, starting three years ago, is that we collaborated with the Key West Women’s Club, and we present art, and it’s art that people have donated from their own homes. Sometimes you support the community and you buy art, and then a few years later, you say, I’m not sure it’s still my favorite, or I’ve changed my color scheme. So people have been generous enough to donate their high quality art, and it is displayed at the Women’s Club. You can buy it right there, or you can go online and bid for the art. The art is available at some great prices. We even have a bargain bin where you can buy art for $20, $40 and we have many pieces that are under $100 which is quite something.”
Artists can also get grants from the Anne McKee Artists Fund.
Williams said, “We actually just finished our cycle. Grants applications are open during the month of March, and we have just awarded our grants this month, and we’ll have a nice party at the Gardens Hotel in May, where we give the grant awards to artists and performers and writers and we also have three scholarships for students, some grants as well for them. One of the student applications was this adorable nine year old girl who wants to take tap dancing lessons. And so we do everything from that to scholarships for high school seniors who are continuing their arts education. All of the proceeds from Art From the Attic go directly to our arts community, and the proceeds are shared by the Key West Women’s Club and the Anne McKee Artists Fund. The Key West Women’s Club has been around since 1915 and they support other nonprofits, like Friends of the Library, SOS, Samuels House. So again, you buy art, your home looks lovely, and you support all the good nonprofits here in the Keys.”
For more information, click here: https://www.mckeefund.org/