Renowned Florida artist Beau Wild's 40-Year retrospective exhibition.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

The Ormond Memorial Art Museum (OMAM) proudly announces the upcoming opening of a remarkable retrospective exhibition, "Observation Stories: The Wild Years," showcasing the illustrious four-decade career of esteemed Florida artist Beau Wild.

The exhibition, curated by Fran Gardner, distinguished professor emerita of art and art history at the University of South Carolina Lancaster, presents 82 awe-inspiring works of art spanning various phases of Wild's artistic journey, including paintings, sculptures, assemblages, and video pieces. Scheduled to open on Thursday, August 24, 2023, the seven-week exhibition at OMAM will offer art enthusiasts and the local community an unparalleled opportunity to delve into the captivating world of Beau Wild's creativity. The grand opening reception, scheduled from 6 to 8 pm at the museum at 78 East Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach, will feature live music, light refreshments, and the unique chance to meet both the artist herself and the esteemed curator, Fran Gardner.

Admission to the reception is free and open to the public, a gesture that emphasizes the museum's commitment to fostering artistic appreciation within the community. OMAM's premier-level members will also receive an exclusive gallery talk with Wild and Gardner.

"We are thrilled to announce this exhibition and provide our community with a glimpse into the extraordinary and inspiring career of Beau Wild. OMAM has shared a special bond with Beau for many years, and it is our privilege to host this intimate view of her life's work," expressed Museum Director Stephanie Mason-Teague.

Beau Wild's artistic journey has been an amalgamation of her passion for occupational therapy, which she studied at Tufts University, and her profound love for painting honed at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Upon her return to her childhood hometown of Daytona Beach in 1983, after two decades in New England, she embarked on a prolific artistic journey that has left an indelible mark on the contemporary art scene. Her creations, housed in private and public collections worldwide, draw inspiration from personal experiences, emotions, and keen observations of the world around her.

Wild crafts compositions that blend between realistic and abstract portrayals through her masterful use of color, shape, texture, and movement. Her artworks, often lauded as bold, dynamic, and expressive, skillfully capture the essence and personality of her subjects. The themes she explores in her pieces include identity, spirituality, nature, and social issues, presenting a multifaceted portrayal of human experience.

Gardner, an accomplished artist, and curator with an impressive background in art history, has meticulously assembled this retrospective to honor Beau Wild's artistic journey and recognize her invaluable contributions to the world of contemporary art. The curator's deep connection with Wild's work is evident through their previous collaborations, including the 2014 book, "Between the Seen and the Unseen."