Gallery on Greene george carey

"George Carey's fame and acclaim comes from all corners of The United States but emanates from the southernmost island he calls home." She expressed. " Our mission is to bring the very best art in Key West to The Gallery on Greene." Related Nance. "I have traveled all over the world and could live anywhere but have come back because I thinks it's the best place in the world to be."

"Fortune shines on artists from many directions; collectors, juried shows, and one of the most critical, their peers. The Gallery on Greene is very proud to be the home of George Carey's work, which has received the utmost in praise from his collectors and fellow professional artists as well as winning prestigious national awards." Nance told us. "Collectors have sought out and purchased George's work year after year with excellent appreciation for their efforts. His works enrich the best collector's walls in the Florida Keys and on the mainland of his admiring public. In fact, most of the" She further related.

Four generations ago, George's family took down their home in the Bahamas; plank by plank loaded it on a barge and sailed it to Key West. Today, although no longer in the family, the original homestead still stands proudly on Petronia. Like renowned Folk Artist Mario Sanchez, George Carey's special talents go deeply into the coral of this very unique island. Their works are both purchased because of the emotional attachment that they evoke in the people who hold Key West dear to their souls. "I like painting intimate corners." Reflects George.

As a child, George began painting. His mother, Miss Ruth Carey, an educator, enrolled her son in an art class studying at Noble-s Art Gallery later with nationally recognized artist, Gerald Leake. "The classes were held at Ernest Hemingway's home where I still fondly remember Mrs. Hemingway giving me Kool-Aid in a Dixie cup."

Key West is far away from the educational opportunities of the mainland, but has been home to and produced world-recognized artists. Of all these, George Carey has given the most back to our children. His efforts to produce impactful art in public places, specifically the islands schools is captivating and legendary: the gargantuan conch in front of Key West High School, the tiger which greets all at Glenn Archer on White St., Horace O'Bryant's Bucaneer, The Florida Keys Community College's 28-foot tall Wrecker mascot and Sugarloaf's shark, attest to George's skill and love of the community since he became Teacher of the Year in 1986 and produced those spirited works. Under his direction George's welding class accomplished a lifetime achievement for themselves and their island society.

"George Carey epitomizes the spirit of Key West ---the rough and tumble, combined with creative energy and talent. He is to the Keys what Jack London was to San Francisco---the literal and the artistic merged into one very enthusiastic and engaging man who, through his painting and sculpture, has repeatedly captured the emotion of the Keys," says local gallery owner Helen Harrison. "As with all Carey's work, there is a sense of sun-drenched intensity that emanates from his works. It's the essence of the subject matter that so genuinely seizes the audience."

George has been a finalist three times in the prestigious National 1998 Arts for the Parks Top 100 Award with his painting entitled "Inside Wall" of Dry Tortugas National Park. Which was on an exhibition tour around the United States. His work is without a doubt some of the most collectable on the island.