Wesley Beard exhibit on display through March 30
Local artist Wesley Beard’s work will be featured this month in the South Arkansas Arts Center’s Lobby Gallery.
“Kaleidoscope Eclipse,” inspired by a passion for photographing insects in nature and featuring moth wing art and origami crane mobiles, will be on display through the end of March. A closing reception is scheduled for Thursday, March 30, from 5:30-7 p.m.
Did you know that a group of butterflies can be called a “kaleidoscope,” and a group of moths, an “eclipse?”
Beard, an El Dorado native, has been interested in insects for years. His photographs, which mainly features moths, were captured in south Arkansas. Using digital tools, Beard created mandala patterns showcasing the insects’ detailed wings.
Beard’s interest in moths was first piqued at an industrial job where many types of insects would find their way through the shop and blend in to the world where he worked. He became enthralled with the intricacies and diversities of moths.
“Moths have individual scales that act as a coat for the wings, body and head. Moths also differ in the way they display themselves while they roost. Some have their wings flat with the surface while others pinch their wings behind the back perpendicular to their perch. I’ve even seen wings rolled around the body like a blanket to mimic dead grass,” Beard said. “The combinations continue to amaze me with every new moth or insect I encounter.”
Born in El Dorado, Beard was raised by a family filled with teachers of love and creativity. He moved to Florida after high school but then returned to El Dorado in 2011 where he now resides with his wife and children.
It was about the time that his son was born that he began making the origami cranes and creating the mobiles to bring peace,
luck and balance into visualization.
Beard invites all the guest to take an origami crane from the display as a gift.
For more information on the Wesley Beard exhibit at the South Arkansas Arts Center, call the SAAC office at 870-862-5474 or visit saac-arts.org.
SAAC is located at 110 E. 5th St. in El Dorado.