Mario Sanchez, Second Generation Cuban-American

Mario Sanchez (1908–2005) was a revered Cuban-American folk artist and the visual chronicler of Key West, Florida, where he was born and lived most of his life. Working as a self-taught artist, Sanchez began creating his signature works in the 1930s, eventually specializing in colorful bas-relief wood carvings (sometimes referred to as intaglios) on cedar, pine, or cypress boards. With a near-photographic memory, he immortalized the vibrant, everyday life of the island from the early 20th century, particularly the multi-cultural community of his youth in the cigar-making neighborhood of Gato Village. His work, characterized by intricate detail and a charming, nostalgic simplicity, serves as an invaluable historical record, depicting street scenes, parades, local characters, and cultural traditions. His art is celebrated for its warm humor and deep appreciation for the "one race, the human race" motto, and is held in major institutional collections (including the Smithsonian) across the country.