Members Showcase

October 2025  “Julie’s Wanderlust in Art”.   It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved member, Julie Joyce. Julie was a long-time, dedicated member and past president of FKWCS. She joined FKWCS in the early 2000’s.  As with everything that caught Julie’s eye, she embraced watercolor painting, the artistic community of Marathon, and “new artists” with passion and commitment. She possessed an eye for the embers of creativity that is held in each of us.  She embraced us, and shared her “wanderlust in art”, artistic expertise, and a passion of the arts.  Many of us will say she changed who we were through the journey of painting.

In addition to being President of FKWCS, she held varying board positions and was instrumental in partnering with several “artistic” communities of Marathon such as the Garden Society, Marathon Community Theatre, local galleries, and festivals.  She was the director of artistic events, festivals, and arts and craft shows held throughout  lower Florida and the Keys.   

As a watercolor, collage, and mixed-media artist,  she was inspired by the tropics of the Keys. She explored the forms, color, and patterns found in lush foliage. She blended abstraction with reality using vibrant colors, playing with light and shadows, while capturing a fresh, vibrant, and close-up perspective of tropical nature, especially her beloved coconuts and orchids.  “I feel an excitement each time I begin a painting as I try to capture the tropical essence; and as the paints mix and mingle. there is a true love affair”. She had a several one-woman art shows, usually displaying over 60 pieces at each event.  Walk into several establishments of Marathon, and you will find the essence of Julie on their walls by her displayed art. She won several awards in recognition of her talent, and more importantly always remembered by her art displayed in our homes.

In honor of Julie and the passion she left with us, FKWCS is presenting a retrospective of her art for the month of December 2025. Several pieces will be presented at the lounge at the Marathon Community Theatre. All pieces are for sale, with the proceeds being donated to FKWCS and the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Foundation. As well, FKWCS has renamed our annual educational scholarship of young artists as the “Julie Joyce Memorial Arts Scholarship”.  She was passionate about sharing the gift of “art” and “life” with the young artist in all of us. She will be sorely missed