Exploring America's Caribbean Island: Key West (Part 2)

Caribbean islands and Key West... Although these two travel destinations are distinct in their own right, yet they have been compared now and again both in terms of what each of them offers and how they are similar to and different from each other. The Caribbean is a group of islands stretching southeastward from the peninsula of Florida on the mainland of the United States then west along the north coast of Venezuela on the South American mainland while Key West is just a tiny coral reef island of the world renowned Florida Keys. So what has the diminutive island got that it is privileged enough to be called as 'America's Caribbean'? Well, apart from the natural beauty that this tiny island is richly endowed with, its culture bespeaks of a 'Caribbean' touch. Its art and history, for example, is similar to that of the Caribbean. This similarity is officially acknowledged by Key West residents themselves as stated in the document 'Key West 2020: Ten Year Progress Review' drafted in 2008 by the Key West Chamber of Commerce. That official document thus stated that the island will uphold and preserve its status as 'America's Caribbean Island'. This part of the article series on Key West will continue exploring the island's Art & History by touring through its different museums. These museums truly showcase the island's rich plethora of history, culture and traditions that is unique to itself.

• The Fort East Martello Museums and Gardens (Part 2) This museum is known as the best-preserved example of the Martello style of military architecture in the United States. The inspiration of such an architecture is the nearly impregnable coastal Martello watchtowers in Italy. The Fort East Martello was never completed and thus, has never seen hostile action. Built during the US' Civil War era, its outer bulwark and inner citadel with eight-foot thick granite walls could have withstood any amount of bombardment at that time. The museum has showcased the following exhibits in recent years:

• Exhibits on recent and past history of the island exploring its early settlement. The exhibit touches on sponging and fishing, Cuban influence, military involvement, as well as the islands writers and other characters.
• Mario Sanchez Exhibit The museum has three galleries that displays the work of Mario Sanchez. Sanchez' pieces are mostly reliefs carved into brightly colored wood panels that reflect street scenes, places, and people from his past. The renditions are amazingly accurate in detail and bound with a rich sense of humor. Sanchez' creations have made him one of the country's most sought folk artist.
• Stanley Papio, the dynamic junkman This exhibit showcases Papio's constructions of welded scrap metal from junk autos, appliances, beds and other discarded iron and steel. These sculptures, which often represented actual people, animals or objects, were painted and displayed in his yard in the upper Keys. Today, most of the pieces in this collection which is housed in the Fort East Martello's citadel are recognized as culturally important American artworks.

Seeing these pieces of the island's culture and history will be a culturally rewarding experience of the Key West hideaways. With the proliferation of affordable Key West vacation rentals, such an experience one's time and effort, as it is an experience that satisfies not only the senses, but also the intellectual and spiritual longing to connect with the immutable past.

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