You don’t have to be “artsy-fartsy” to appreciate the enormous creativity that abounds here in the Keys. For decades, artists have been lured to our 125-mile-long island chain for the color-drenched natural scenery, colorful architecture, and magnificent wildlife.
This season, the Keys features several fun fresh-air strolls that explore the matchless talent, fascinating work, and unique lifestyles of skilled local artists. Here are some opportunities you don’t want to miss.
The Stock Island Art Stroll (just over the Cow Key Bridge in Key West) is coming up on Saturday, February 12. The monthly event includes tours of off-the-beaten-path art studios on Stock Island. Stops feature a variety of eclectic shops and studios with multiple artists in disciplines ranging from sculptures to woodworking, mosaics, and fabric art. Additional Saturday strolls are slated for March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11, and July 9. More info: ilovestockisland.com.
Islamorada’s monthly Third Thursday Morada Way Art Walk takes place on Thursday, February 17, in the village’s thriving Morada Way Arts & Cultural District. This six-block corridor between mile markers 81 and 82 is a favorite local scene for gallery shopping, imbibing, and nibbling. Participants include Morada Way Clay, Jessica Ann Art, Rum Brush, and Limelight Studio/Gallery, among others. Subsequent art walks are scheduled for March 17, April 21, May 19, June 16, July 21, August 18, September 15, October 20, November 17, and December 15. Visit moradaway.org for more info.
Key West is home to several acclaimed gallery strolls, including Walk on White, a monthly art walk that dates back to 1999 and showcases the island city’s White Street Arts District. Upcoming strolls are slated for Thursday evenings on February 17 and March 17. Featured galleries include Stone Soup Gallery, Shade Ceramics and Shutter Photography, Harrison Gallery, and many other enticing stops. Get more deets at walkonwhitekeywest.com. 
First Fridays on Fleming is another great monthly art happening in picturesque downtown Key West. Upcoming dates include February 4, March 4, April 1, and May 6. With different monthly offerings, the events encourage strolling, sipping, and shopping at locally-owned galleries and businesses in the “Fabulous 500” block of Flaming Street. Info: shoplocalkeywest.com
In Key West, literature, architecture, and history are also a vital part of the cultural scene, and there are several guided walking tours worth checking out. Here are just a few of our favorites:
The 62nd Annual Key West Home Tours,™ one of the oldest and longest-running home tours in America, is coming up on Friday and Saturday, February 11 and 12, and again on Friday and Saturday, March 18 and 19. Old Island Restoration Foundation (OIRF) has been throwing open the doors to some of Key West’s most interesting properties since 1960, and this upcoming tour promises to be exceptional.
You’ll be able to visit five gorgeous homes reflecting the varied tastes and originality of their owners. These incredible restorations, creative renovations, and unique interiors often showcase personal art collections, antiques, and much more. The self-guided tours take place from 10 am – 4 pm from any one of the participating properties. Tickets are available on the day of the event, or you can purchase them in advance online, where you’ll also find a complete list of featured homes and a tour map. Info: 305-294-9501; OIRF.org.
The Old Town Literary Walking Tour explores sites, landmarks, and hangouts of world-renowned writers like Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Shel Silverstein, Elizabeth Bishop, and Robert Frost. They lived or spent considerable time in Key West. Tours currently take place on Fridays and Sundays; private tours are also available on request. Visit kwls.org. 
If you’re an architecture or history buff, be sure to check out the Key West Art & Historical Society’s Saturday morning Architectural Walking Tours, which celebrates the 200th anniversary of Key West’s settlement on March 25, 1822. The next walks are scheduled for February 5 and February 26. For a complete list of historic landmarks and architectural sites, visit kwahs.org. 
In addition to these art and cultural strolls, you can also explore many other terrific galleries throughout the Keys. Among them are Gallery on Greene (606 Greene St, Key West), the Alan Maltz Gallery (1210 Duval St, Key West), and Amanda Johnson Fine Art (518 Fleming St, Key West).
For a detailed guide that features some 50 Keys galleries throughout the Keys and all kinds of cultural events, hit up keysarts.com.
Now start walking!
