Back in 1965, they called it the “Clothesline Art Show.” It was a small Key West affair intended to raise renovation money for the historic building at 301 Front Street, now the home of the Key West Art Center.
At the time, local artists actually used clothespins to display their works on a fence in front of Key West’s old Custom House, so the name was more than apropos.
Competition for inclusion in the funky little fine art show became so fierce that by1985, festival organizers decided to limit participation to approximately 100 exhibitors.
Today’s Old Island Days Art Festival is still going strong fifty-seven years later.
The nationally recognized open-air show, which now includes exhibitors from across the country and Canada, takes place from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday, February 26 – 27, against the backdrop of Key West’s Truman Waterfront Park, a large enclave with landscaped green space and panoramic blue-water vistas.
The two-day juried fine art festival showcases all kinds of media ranging from watercolors, acrylics, and oils to sculpture, collage, and photography. You’ll also see lots of jewelry, pottery, glass, and woodworks, as well as many other fine craft items. 
It’s a fun day on the waterfront, and there is no charge for admission. Proceeds from the event support the Key West Art Center’s programs and maintain the historic 301 Front Street building that houses the gallery.
You can find Truman Waterfront Park at the end of Southard Street, past the Truman Annex neighborhood. For more info, call 305-294-1243 or hit up keywestartcenter.com.
