Spirit of the Trees: Healing Through Creativity

"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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