On the day before Halloween this year in a small Gainesville gallery (The Exchange) five local artists (Evan McIntyre, Josh Pusey, Roberto Evans, Ricky Kendall, Mike McVicar) revealed the fruits of their labor: this is their story, some of which may be mildly untrue. The art opening—titled Beast in Show—was refreshing to Gainesville’s art scene which is encumbered with landscape oil paintings of local springs and sleepy photographs of alligators, and although reminiscent of the term best in show—a top award given at dog shows and a Christopher Guest mockumentary—Beast in Show had little to do with dogs. However, there were many dogs at the show. Artist, Evan McIntyre, whose pieces were electronically generated faces of winged men and beasts crowned with a precious jewel, had very recently completed the famous Iditarod sled dog race across Alaska; he brought his team of Siberian Huskies to the show. The sensation of 15 dogs milling about in the gallery contributed a slightly ethereal element to the viewer experience.

The artists—ironically, all dog lovers themselves—spent years perfecting their pieces which were meticulously accurate depictions of beasts mentioned throughout the bible. Local celebrity and artist, Josh Pusey contributed several pieces from which the highlight was a watercolor titled The Prince. The composition of The Prince, perhaps so named to reference the prince of darkness, evoked such an array of intense emotions that several elderly viewers were moved to step outside for fresh air. The figure in the piece is a dark, bearded fellow with a frightful upward-palm, fingers-half-clenched left hand visible. His face is quite indescribable do to the vast expression range (fear, anger, pity, sadness, desire, etc.) within its wrinkles.

Artists Ricky Kendall and Mike McVicar conceived their pieces during a re-introduction stay at the American embassy in Belgium where they were transported after their rescue from being stranded at sea for 10 weeks following a plane crash in which they were both involved. Their pieces, which were painted on reclaimed material (McVicar—old record album sleeves. Kendall—timber from demolished buildings), were appropriately engaging and stylistically defined. Mr. Kendall’s pieces leaned toward a classic approach (even touching on impressionistic themes) while Mr. McVicar’s approach moved toward a late modernist, almost architectural/linework-based discipline.

Owner of The Exchange and artist, Roberto Evans’s contribution was a colorfully enthralling stream of consciousness, text-based mixed-media piece on plywood.

The show was surprisingly coherent while maintaining a diversity that offered viewers an opportunity to remain attentive even to the point of developing an aesthetic attachment (with art and artists both)—a virtue that benefits patrons and artists both.

- Michael K. O’Malley