As many of us excitedly faced the early morning rush of Black Friday holiday shopping, Pepper Place’s Lite Box Gallery was preparing for its own surge of energy. “Everything Must Go!”, a show curated by local artists Daisy Winfrey and Michael Bonadio, opened on Friday night, playing off of the Black Friday theme.
At 6:00 p.m., only a little over an hour after Alabama was defeated at the Iron Bowl, Lite Box gallery was quickly filling up with excitement. By 6:30, there was a line of folks at the check out table, arms loaded with handmade gifts of art.
The gallery, dressed as the estate of the fictitious and deceased H. Benjamin Benjamin, was cleverly divided into “rooms” of Benjamin’s house. Each room contained compelling pieces of art by local artists, as well as props designed to build the show’s delightful narrative. In many cases, the props were for sale as well.
Among the most popular items at the opening were beautiful ceramic birds and bird themed items made by local artist and UAB art professor, Doug Balous. Balous’ ceramic pieces included bowls, small serving dishes, and hanging birds in a lovely pale turquoise. Balous also had wreaths of white wire featuring his birds for sale, another popular item from his room. Artist Megan Kimber’s pieces also sold quickly. Kimber’s small paintings are unique, lush, expressionist works, rich in color and depth.
“Everything Must Go!” offers an array of affordable, local, handmade art, ranging from paintings and sculpture, trinkets and jewelry to serving dishes and glasses. Prices range from $6 to $850. Though the opening was cash and carry, there are still plenty of delightful gifts from which to choose in every room of the Benjamin estate. Shoppers can drop by during Lite Box’s extended holiday hours, Wednesday – Friday from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and purchase gifts through December 18th. Lite Box will close the show with a memorial service for Mr. Benjamin, followed by a potluck.
Lite Box Gallery will also be open for Pepper Place’s Holiday Open House until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 2.
