By Kathy L. Collins
Plant City artist, Robert Woods, creates intricate and exquisite art from metal such as stainless steel, cold steel, brass, copper, blown glass and paint. One of Woods’ creations, “Key Tree,” is now a part of Hillsborough County’s Public Art Collection.
“Key Tree” is a 12 ft. high structure which was created by Woods in collaboration with 60 fifth grade students from Tampa Palms Elementary School in 2005. The “Key Tree” includes 4,000 keys that were collected and installed on the tree’s 14 ridged branches as a student project. The tree had been on display at the Bank of Tampa in New Tampa for several years.
“Key Tree” is now being refurbished by Woods. Once completed, the tree will be on display at the 6th Annual Winthrop Arts Festival in Riverview on Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23 along with many of Woods’ original creations. After the festival, it will be installed by Woods at the New Tampa Regional Library located at 10001 Cross Creek Blvd. in Tampa. Woods has been working on the refurbishing project for over a year. This labor of love included repainting 2,100 keys.
Woods said, “I feel that the ‘Key Tree’ being a part of the Hillsborough County Public Art Collection is a great thing.” Woods’ “Key Tree” is one of two recently acquired art pieces that have become a part of the public art collection.
Woods’ artistic skills are borne from his family’s construction business that he worked at for 25 years. Woods’ artwork can be installed on walls, ceilings or on the ground. Woods’ work can be found all over Florida and up through Ohio in both private and corporate collections. Woods does commission work.
For more information and to contact Woods, please visit wow.rgwoods.com or call 731-8778.
