Orcas Island Winery’s pop-up modern and contemporary art gallery, MUST, featuring local and visiting artists, presents a noteworthy exhibit: “Beyond The Backdrop of You, A Photographic Letter to Universe” featuring the collaborative works of local artists Kelly Maria Francis and Jaime Beechum. The experiential art installation opens with a free-to-the-public evening event on Thursday, June 22 at 6 p.m. A DJ set will be presented by Orcas-based music artist Cool Maritime and light bites will be provided. Wine and artwork will be available for purchase.
The show is deeply reflective of the poetry of place and the power of alchemy. Francis and Beechum present a conceptually driven, highly symbolic, evocative and sensual photographic story rich with the grit and beauty of human spirit and the expansiveness of soul when met with adversity. The imagery begs the viewer to look around in order to navigate one’s inner landscape hinting that the messages around are abundant. The show creatively merges natural Orcas Island elements with human form capturing both layered light and dark with an intentional woven stylistic thread. It presents as a juxtaposition of mystical, curious, inspiring and moving — resonant of our current times. The show leaves a lingering sense of hopefulness and possibility as if one could fall in love with life all over again.
Curated by Orcas Island Winery co-owner and Must Gallery curator, Tera Andaya in collaboration with artists Kelly Maria Francis and Jaime Beechum. The show is the winery’s new label release party. The artwork featured is from the winery’s new visual story, which will be seen on new wine labels. Carpooling is encouraged. Children and families are welcome. Orcas Island Winery: 2371 Crow Valley Road
Kelly Maria Francis is an intuitive energy artist and creative. She understands the world and people through her deeply curious connection and attunement to the natural world. With nature as her supreme guide, she understands how to observe, connect and change. Kelly’s experience and profound spiritual gifts in guiding individuals through healing energetic work have empowered her to balance the most sensitive of energies by curating highly personal, bespoke sensory experiences for the body, home and creative spaces, which she also channels through her own art.
Jaime Beechum is an artist and photographer who specializes in collaborating with the unnamed sense of Spirit. Her talents can be traced to her discerning, keen eye and ear while powerfully holding a wide open heart. She is a woman of Land and Water; born in Fire and in service to Earth. From the Southern Waters, a migrant to this place of the Coast Salish homelands, yet humbly adopted by those who have walked here before. She participates with reverence and reciprocity in this life. She is a graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography.
