BEVERLY — Nature may be most commonly described as beautiful, but it can also be terrifying, mesmerizing and countless other descriptors.
Artists from Beverly and beyond will offer their unique interpretations of nature at a gallery opening from 7-10 p.m. May 15 at 10326 S. Western Ave.
"Enchantment: Nature Re-Imagined" will debut in a pop-up gallery in Beverly that's being called Ephemera, said Monica Wilczak, curator of the latest exhibit from the Beverly Area Arts Alliance.
"This is something that the neighborhood has never seen before," said Wilczak, adding that paintings, photography and sculpture will all be part of the upcoming exhibit.
The gallery will feature 11 artists from Beverly and beyond in a vacant storefront. The Alliance has made a habit of converting such empty spaces into makeshift galleries since its debut as the coordinator of the Beverly Art Walk on Oct. 11.
Howard Ludwig says the neighborhood is embracing the art events:
The trend continued after the walk as The Alliance has hosted a gallery opening and New Year's Eve party at the Pelar Gallery at 9927 S. Wood St. in Beverly. This building is under renovation, but the owner has allowed local artists to use the space amid the improvements.
Owners of vacant property in Beverly seem motivated to partner with The Alliance in exchange for the exposure that comes with hosting its events. Indeed, the former Chatham Rug building at 10426 S. Western Ave. found a new tenant shortly after being prominently featured as part of the Beverly Art Walk, Wilczak said.
Aside from the economic benefits of The Alliance's programs, Wilczak said there's cultural merits as well. Among them is putting the work of local artists on display, including paintings by Susannah Papish of Morgan Park.
Papish is a member of the Alliance as well as an adjunct professor of art and design at Saint Xavier University in Mount Greenwood. Her art will hang beside other known artists such as Betsy Youngquist of Rockford.
"Her work is amazing," Wilczak said of Youngquist while also complimenting her friend and fellow artist Papish.
Youngquist is known for her beaded mosaics, often incorporating fragments of old porcelain dolls. Her work has been displayed at the Smithsonian Craft Show in Washington, D.C., the VIDA Museum in Borgholm, Sweden, and the International Doll Show in Kiev, Ukraine.
All the art on display at "Enchantment: Nature Re-Imagined" will be for sale. But the gallery opening is free to attend. Anyone unable to visit the gallery on opening night can also view the pieces by appointment through June, Wilczak said.
"I am happy to give tours," the Beverly resident said.
Wilczak is also lining up donations of food, wine, craft beer and craft spirits for the exhibit's debut. She also plans to have some sort of musical element as part of the unveiling.
"When we have openings, we like to make them great celebrations of the art," she said.
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