Mario Sanchez Artist, and friend was born on October 7th, 1908 in a two story house on the corner of Duval & Louisa Street. Today Mario is surrounded by his family in the Sanchez Compound on Catherine Street. Through Mario's woodcarvings and paintings we are transported back to the old days in Cayo Hueso when cigar making was at an all time high.

   Mario's brother Peter (known as Perucho) is an oral historian of the earlier days of Key West. Never a dull moment in the Key West Havana Cigar shop when Perucho is telling stories of past days.

   Their father Pedro Sanchez, was called "El Lector" or a reader for the cigar makers. He entertained and educated the cigar makers by reading to them aloud while they worked in the factories.

   Through the fruit trees and foliage one can view Mario working in his studio "under the trees". Mario Sanchez is a walking, talking, painting piece of old Key West.