Artist Andy Thurber at Key West’s highly acclaimed Gallery On Greene
Key West has long been a creative haven for some of our country’s biggest literary giants. Among them, Key West denizen Tennessee Williams, one of the greatest playwrights of the twentieth century.
His iconic works which include The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, along with many of his other works, are now classics of the American stage and earned him two Pulitzer Prizes, Tony Awards, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, as well as many other literary awards
But here’s a little tidbit that you might not know: Tennessee Williams was also a prolific painter.
While his award-winning stories explored the dynamics of the American South and his tumultuous upbringing, he turned to painting to express other private thoughts. Struggling with alcohol and drug abuse as well as depression, the tormented Williams used writing and then painting as a coping mechanism. His paintings and sketches span over 50 years and include portraits, landscapes, caricatures, compositions, a still-life, and several self-portraits.
Now through May 31, you can take a private guided tour of Key West’s Tennessee Williams Museum and immerse yourself in the world of this multi-faceted giant through an extensive collection of photographs, first edition plays and books, rare newspaper and magazine articles, videos, the author’s typewriter and other fascinating artifacts. You can find the Tennessee Williams Museum, 513 Truman Avenue in Key West. Info: 305-204-4527; kwahs.org.
Also not to be missed: Andy Thurber’s “A Street Named Duval,” a 17.5” x 13.5” watercolor that recently won the Tennessee Williams Plein Air Painting Contest. As part of the annual multi-event Tennessee Williams celebration, Thurber’s work is now on exhibit at Key West’s acclaimed Gallery On Greene, 606 Greene St. Info: 305-304-2323; galleryongreene.com.
Tennessee Williams Artwork
