Cedar Keyhole Artists Co-op

The Cedar Keyhole Artist Co-op was organized by local artists in 1977 to provide an outlet for creative people in Cedar Key and the surrounding areas.  The shop first opened its doors in the building which housed Tony’s Seafood Restaurant. In 1979 it moved down the block to its present location, 457 Second Street, across from the newly renovated library.

In 1991 the second story was completed which paved the way for expansion of the gallery.  In 1994 Cathy Christie, owner of the building and co-founder of the Co-op created the Cedar Key Arts Center; a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the arts, and donated the building to this newly formed organization.  The second story is now home to the Arts Center which offers studio space for resident and visiting artists, has gallery openings on the first Saturday of every month from October-May, conducts a variety of art classes, has a fantastic summer arts program for the Children of Cedar Key and a native plant sculpture garden complete with mosaic wall, fisherman and fish. The Art Center opened Feb. 2, 1991; officially designated the Cedar Keyhole Day by the City of Cedar Key.

All the items in the shop are handcrafted and represent a broad range of both fine arts and fine crafts. At present there are 25 artists represented at the Keyhole with mediums ranging from oil paintings, pottery, glass, jewelry, woodturning, recycled metal, stepping stones, zentangle art, pop-up cards, fine art photography, wind chimes, acrylic abstract, ceramics, wood inlaid boxes, t-shirts, miniature paintings, hand woven tea towels, pressed flowers, painted queen palm boots, painted mailboxes & oyster shells, hand-made dolls, copper work, glass fusion, macrame, soaps, driftwood art, and hand carved wood fish. Newly created items are brought in daily, so there is always something to discover at the Cedar Keyhole.

In 2027, we will be celebrating our 50th anniversary of being in business!