Happy New Year, Artists!
As we welcome 2026, it’s a perfect moment to reflect on the achievements and challenges of 2025 and look ahead with inspiration and creativity. I'd like to welcome Bradley Hayes, our new webmaster. Please reach out to him at [email protected] or by text at (858) 243-6929 or me at [email protected] or (314) 494-9543. His website expertise is a wonderful addition to BE. Beginning with the return of the monthly email, my aspiration is that this monthly email and the BE Website will be your connection to the BE community for news, artist spotlights, tips, and opportunities to connect with fellow creatives. Here’s what’s happening now in our BE community: 1. Spirit of the Trees: A Group Exhibition curated by Mel Watkin features artist Maria Ojascastro. The show runs from January 16 through April 12, 2026, at Red Gate Gallery, 6501 Wydown Blvd, St. Louis, MO. Don’t miss it! 2. Maria Ojascastro’s artwork "Yellow Shadow" will grace the cover of the new poetry book *A Moth Collection* by Anna Ojascastro Guzon, now available for pre-order. You can learn more and place your order here: https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/a-moth-collection-by-anna-ojascastro-guzon/ 3. Kathy Corey’s painting "Herons Watch" is currently on display in the juried exhibition Shadow & Light: Island Contrast at the Key West Museum of Art & History. This show, running from December 3, 2025, to February 15, 2026, explores the contrasts of shadow and light throughout the Florida Keys’ unique environment across various mediums including oil, acrylic, watercolor, pencil, sculpture, pottery, and mixed media. 4. Also, look out for Kathy Corey in The Connections Project: A Mosaic of the Keys 2026. This exciting initiative by the Florida Keys Council of the Arts will spotlight visual and performing artists at 10 “pop-up” events across the county, showcasing nearly 150 canvases by Keys artists alongside live music performances. We encourage you to share your news and updates with us. Your stories, exhibitions, and achievements strengthen our community and inspire one another. Please send your artwork submissions and news regarding exhibitions to keep us all connected and informed. Please share your news, exhibitions, or exciting projects so we can feature you on the website and social media. Together, we can celebrate the creative spirit that drives our community forward. Wishing you all a creative and fulfilling 2026! Warmly, Kathy
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 "Wow, It's Been A Long Road" by Maria Ojascastro, Watercolor on Paper, Hand-Colored Photo, Mono Print on Arches, Acrylic on Canvas, 21x21" framed, 2025 Spirit of the Trees
A Group Exhibition Including Artist Maria Ojascastro Curated by Mel Watkin January 16 - April 12, 2026 Red Gate Gallery 6501 Wydown Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63105 Red Gate Gallery is proud to present Spirit of the Trees, a deeply evocative group exhibition featuring 19 artists, including acclaimed local artist Maria Ojascastro. The exhibition responds to the devastating EF3 tornado that struck St. Louis on May 16, 2025, leaving a profound mark on the city’s landscape and its people. Beyond the loss of lives and destruction of homes, thousands of trees across the St. Louis region were damaged or uprooted, symbolizing a broader narrative of loss, endurance, and renewal. Maria brings her unique vision to this powerful conversation, exploring the ways trees embody the forces of life, knowledge, healing, and transformation. Her artwork, alongside the works of other participating artists, invites viewers to reflect on both the physical destruction and the emotional reverberations wrought by the tornado. Spirit of the Trees is more than an art exhibition; it is a space for communal healing and dialogue. Hosted by Red Gate Gallery, known for its commitment to socially engaged art and rooted in the inclusive community of Wydown United Church, this show encourages audiences to contemplate the intersection of nature, memory, and resilience. Visitors are invited to experience Spirit of the Trees during gallery hours Tuesday through Friday, 10 am to 3 pm, from January 16 through April 12, 2026. The exhibition offers a contemplative journey into themes of environmental fragility, human connection, and renewal. For more information, contact Red Gate Gallery at 314-721-5060 ext. 1. Discover art that grows from loss and flourishes in hope—join us to witness the Spirit of the Trees. |
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January 2026
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