Bikes capture spirit of Key West

There is nothing more Key West than bicycles. 

They serve as transportation, recreation and a form of exercise. A true Key Wester knows that if he or she wants to beat the traffic, take the bike. If they don't want to hassle looking for parking in Old Town or avoid the line of cars at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, hop on the bike.

Bikes are not only for transportation and exercise, but have become a form of expression, fashion and art. In that vein, The Studios of Key West this month is paying homage to the bike.

The Studios has commissioned 41 artists, with the support of 42 businesses, to paint, modify and detail 42 bikes, which range from various styles of Conch cruisers to a tandem to a tricycle.

"If we were in Chicago, we would have done cows or horses, if we were in Santa Fe we would have done horses," Studios Director Jay Scott said. "But this is so Key West. We wanted something that represented the essence of Key West."

The project, dubbed "Key West Cruisers: Rolling on the Rock," is part of The Studios' annual fundraising event. Some of the bikes already have been sold, but most either will be auctioned or raffled off Saturday night, with proceeds going to the nonprofit Studios at the Armory.

Each artist took his or her own approach to the project. Some stuck with Key West themes, depicting beach scenes, old Key West homes and the island's tropical flora and fauna. On her Conch cruiser, Fran Decker painted a train rolling down the Keys on Flagler's historic railway, and a picture of the historic Casa Marina in an era when it served as military housing. The late Captain Outrageous' girlfriend, "Lady Outrageous," paid homage to the captain and painted a tandem in his traditional colors and style.

Some strayed from the traditional island scenes. Karen Beauprie took on a Beatles theme, offering different depictions of the Fab Four and their album covers. The bike is also fitted with a brightly colored acoustic guitar on the back. Cayman Smith-Martin, who works in metals, made his bike look like a vintage 1930s Indian-style motorcycle, welding on old iron hot plates from Louie's Backyard and an oversized rustic spring below the seat.

Painter Rick Worth detailed two bikes -- one in the traditional Key West style with tropical flowers and colors, and the other a pirate bike, decked out with skeletons and sails.

"It was nice to be inspired and break away from the placid ideas and go with something totally different," Worth said. "The gaudier the better. It's all about expression, man."

The project turned into a true community event, Scott said. Forty-two local businesses footed the bill for the bikes, which Eaton Bikes provided at cost, as well as dissembled and reassembled them at no cost so the artists could work on them.

"We could not have asked for a better response from the businesses," Scott said. "They were absolutely fabulous."

The bikes are on display at the Armory, at the corner of White and Southard streets, and can be viewed online at http://www.tskw.org/etc/buy-it-now-rolling-on-the-rock-art-bikes-for-sal....

Prices range from $1,500 to $2,500, and a portion of the cost can be counted as a tax-deductible contribution to The Studios. On Saturday, five bikes will be raffled in a live auction. Raffle tickets are $10 for one and $20 for three, and can be purchased at the Armory.

The raffle is only one part of the fundraising event, which will feature a live performance of Howard Livingston and Mile Marker 24 band. The event starts at 7 p.m. Saturday.

tohara@keysnews.com

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