Key Largo Art Gallery

My wife and I enjoy collecting moderately priced art from places we visit. It’s a nice way to remember those places. We enjoyed visiting this gallery and getting to know the artist-​in-​residence — and owner — Carmen Sotolongo Kelley.
Carmen is a Cuban-​American whose day job is teacher in the local public schools. She has a distinctive style as a painter, which provides testimony of her proud heritage and her environs. Ms. Kelley’s use of bold color and emphatic brush tells a wonderful story.
We were also impressed with the work of Carmen’s daughter. Her fish paintings were stunning.
Our painting will be the first thing our guests see as they enter our home. Since my wife and I are educators, too, as are many of our friends, I told Carmen I’ll be proud to tell everyone that, «The artist is a teacher.»