Studios of Key West Hosts Midtown West Artist Studio Tour Feb. 28

Tom Pope welcomed visitors to his backyard watercolor studio at 1610 Von Phister St., the designated Stop #1, when The Studios of Key West held its annual Artist Studio Tour in the Midtown West section of Key West on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; day-of tickets and route maps were available at his studio.

Organizers promoted the event as a self-guided tour that ran along an easy-to-navigate Midtown stretch of just over a mile and was "easy to explore by car or bike," with guests able to move at their own pace and linger at studios that caught their eye. Elena Devers, deputy director, said, "This tour has become one of our most anticipated events each year. It gives people the rare opportunity to step inside working studios, speak directly with artists, and experience the creative energy of a neighborhood they may not have explored before."

Visitors found a mix of living and working spaces described in promotional copy as "working studios set beneath sweeping banyan canopies, inside airy Conch houses, and within thoughtfully designed live/work spaces." The tour showcased settings ranging from historic cottages to garden courtyards and purpose-built art spaces across Midtown West, reflecting the event's focus on place as much as the work on view.

Among the named participants, Jean Carper opened her "vibrant Midtown courtyard," a property described as "widely regarded as one of the most colorful and creative homes on the island." Sculptor Sally Wernicoff worked from an outdoor studio where clay, stone and plaster take shape. Senegal-born painter Michel Delgado presented richly layered canvases blending memory, legend and everyday life. Mixed media artist Dan Bar displayed bold, pop-inspired compositions, including a series of deconstructed bird paintings influenced by Audubon. Photographer Jill Benado welcomed guests to the former studio of her late husband, Bill Hartman, whose work reflects a deep connection to life on the water and the natural world.

Ticketing and logistical details were consistent across promotional outlets: advance tickets cost $35 and were available through The Studios of Key West’s website, while day-of tickets were $40 and sold at Stop #1, 1610 Von Phister St.; the Key West Chamber encouraged advance purchase. Promotional materials and social posts leading up to Feb. 28 emphasized that the tour "reflects the range and diversity of artists who call Midtown home," an aim underscored by the mix of painters, sculptors, photographers and mixed-media artists who opened gates and studio doors that afternoon.