- July 26, 2024
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Thays França and Teri Althouse, owners of Art Spotlight. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Barbette Jensen, Teri Althouse, Jon Benjamin, and Thays França create art at Art Spotlight. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Thays França admires Jon Benjamin’s work. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Barbette Jensen and Jon Benjamin create art in the gallery. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Teri Althouse prepares her palette. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Teri Althouse works on her floral painting. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
A brush on canvas. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Thays França works on her painting at Art Spotlight. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Thays França enjoys creating her art. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Barbette Jensen adds finishing touches. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
A brush on canvas. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Thays França paints in the gallery. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Thays França focuses on her work. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Barbette Jensen works behind artists’ paint and brushes. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Teri Althouse and Thays França enjoy the creative process. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Thays França hangs a painting for the June Art Walk exhibition. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Jon Benjamin hangs a painting for the June Art Walk exhibition. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Teri Althouse prepares art for the June Art Walk exhibition. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Jon Benjamin straightens his mother’s painting for the June Art Walk exhibition. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Thays França straightens a painting for the June Art Walk exhibition. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Jon Benjamin frames his latest work. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Jon Benjamin, Teri Althouse, Barbette Jensen and Thays França are the heart and soul of Art Spotlight. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Jon Benjamin at Art Spotlight during Art Walk. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Thays França and Teri Althouse, the visionaries behind Art Spotlight. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Thays França with her paintings on display. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Teri Althouse with her paintings on display. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Gallery visitors enjoy Art Spotlight's exhibition during the June Art Walk event. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Art Spotlight is located at 67 W. Granada Blvd. in downtown Ormond Beach. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Joy and laughter permeate the atmosphere of Art Spotlight.
The Ormond Beach art gallery is the vision of Thays França and Teri Althouse, once acquaintances and competitors, now friends who have worked to create a space to advance the art scene of Ormond Beach. They are joined by Althouse's son Jon Benjamin and fellow artist Barbette Jenson who have added their talent and insight to this concept.
“Every single one of us have different strengths and we have learned how to work with each other and each other’s strengths.“ França said.
The art gallery's mission statement is simple: ”Create, Collaborate, Elevate.” To accomplish this, Art Spotlight is open to all artists, from beginners to experienced.
"We wanted to offer a safe place where artists can come and do whatever it is they need at the moment," França said.
"We are very community-oriented; we want the community to come in," Althouse added.
Weekly events also help to fulfill their mission.
The third Saturday of the month is reserved to "create." Althouse said they open the gallery to any artist, and invite them to sit and paint.
The second week of the month is to “collaborate." Artists are then invited to come, support each other and listen to other artists speak, Althouse said.
Then, at the beginning of each month, they "elevate" with a new exhibition to showcase emerging artists and add vibrancy to the local art community.
On the first Saturday of the month, from 3-7 p.m. during Ormond Beach’s monthly Art Walk, the artists are joined by locals and visitors who come to see their work.
"We elevate the arts in our town to the best it can be shown," França said.
Art Spotlight is located at 67 W. Granada Blvd. The gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday to Tuesday by appointment. Artists can find information about events and open calls for art on Art Spotlight's Instagram and Facebook pages.
