BECKLEY, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – BEX Art Week will return to Beckley on Monday, September 20, 2021.
BEX was created in 2019 by a small group of Beckley artists and community leaders, including Shane Peirce, Saja Montague, Christine Kinder and Jared Kaplan. This group created the week-long event to provide a unique art experience for the Beckley area while showcasing the region’s expansive pool of talent.
The first BEX event in 2019 was a great success, leaving organizers excited for 2020; however, these dreams, like many others, were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Christine Kinder said she and the other creators really wanted to push to have the event this year.
“The momentum from the first year was really strong, and we wanted to keep that going, so we are sad we couldn’t have it last year,” she said. “COVID is ramping up again, and we totally recognize that. This will be a scaled-down event, but we felt that it was important to go ahead and have it. We are going to be as careful as possible.”
Because BEX isn’t on the same scale as some other larger events that have already been canceled, organizers felt they could keep everyone at the event safe by moderating attendance and social distancing.
BEX events and workshops will be held at various locations across Beckley, including The Raleigh Playhouse and Theatre, The Chocolate Moose, the Beckley Art Center, the Ambrosia Inn, Word Park and downtown Beckley.
Masks will be required for all inside events, and reservations must be made as participation is limited. Masks are encouraged outside but not required, and social distancing will be enforced.
“I’m really excited that we are able to offer even this scaled-back BEX programming this year,” said Pierce. “With the last year and a half that we have all been through, I know that a lot of people need some release. This event offers opportunities for low-key, outdoor arts experiences that will be a great way to reflect and appreciate art. For me, art has been a huge benefit to my mental health during the pandemic, and I know I’m not alone in that. I’m thinking of BEX this year as a way to share that benefit with my friends, family, and wider community and to enjoy these events together, as safely as possible, and hopefully, all that attend come away from it refreshed and rejuvenated.”
Events will kick-off at 4 p.m. Monday afternoon and continue each day until Saturday. Activities include Intro to Holga Photography, which teaches analogue photography to those ages 13 and older; Bob Ross Paint Pop-up, which focuses on the “wet-on-wet” method of painting; filmmaking and tintype workshops, demonstrations with Beckley’s very own board game inventor, an oddities and curiosities fair and more affordable, thought-provoking art programming not typically found in southern West Virginia.
The week of activities is achieved through a collaborative effort between individuals, organizations businesses and artists with a shared goal of creative community development.
BEX events will conclude on Saturday, September 25, 2021.
Visit BEX on Facebook for more information.