ANNE MCKEE ARTIST GRANT
2025 Anne Mckee Grant Recipients, Juan Camilo pictured Third Row.
The Anne McKee Artists Fund (AMAF) is proud to offer project-based grant opportunities to individual visual, performing, and literary artists who reside in Key West and the Florida Keys. The AMAF also awards youth based scholarship and grants. Grants are awarded on the basis of financial need and/or to promote recognition of emerging talent.
Image sourced on Monroe County Library Flickr account
Original artwork inspired by vintage imagery
I was the proud recipient of last years’ visual artist grant. My project focused on creating a unique body of work using the mono-print gel plate transfer technique. Drawing inspiration from historical images of Key West available for public use on the Monroe County Library Flickr account, I wanted to reimagine the island’s rich past through a contemporary lens. The resulting artworks juxtaposed historic imagery with bold, contemporary colors, offering a fresh visual interpretation of Key West’s cultural and architectural heritage.
“Southernmost Beach” by Juan Camilo
Historical image of The Southernmost Mansion and Beach
My goal was to utilize archival images to preserve and celebrate Key West’s history by exploring the mono-print gel plate technique to produce layered, collage-style mono-prints. The artworks are accessible through postcards and larger fine art mono-prints. The intention was to bridge past and present through a striking color palette that enhances nostalgic imagery.
Original 3” x 3” mini artworks on canvas panels made with a gel plate transfer by Juan Camilo.
Eventually, the intention is to develop and implement a gel plate transfer art class available to locals and tourists in Key West. This will be available for sign-up in person at 105 Fitzpatrick St in Key West or online on www.islandcontemporary.com
Snapshot of Juan Camilo doing a demo at the Key West Art Center.
Original mono-print by Juan Camilo.
Inspiration for original artworks.
