With freezing cold of winter approaching on the heels of fall, one needs a pick-me-up to cope with the shorter days and longer nights. For Mary Kell, co-owner of GoodBean Coffee, the pick-me-up is in the form of art.

“Four years ago…Mary Kell was already feeling the onset of winter in her bones,” says Art curator Hannah West. “She felt she needed something uplifting to get her through the deep winter chill of December to the new year, something that might help the patrons of her cafe as well. I’ve been curating the art exhibits for her since April 2010, and she called me to say, ‘I just want to see angels all around me in the shop for the month of December…Can we do that?’ ”

After great positive responses received from their first year of the event, the two decided to make the theme annual. While the theme is angels, artists aren’t required to create traditional angelic pieces, like a person in white robes and white wings. Multiple mediums are seen each year, including ceramics, paintings, stitchery, and photography.

When it comes to the meaning behind the theme, West says, “I think the idea begins with the fact that as mere mortals, we need the light. Some would say the light of the Sun, others the light of the Son. Maybe it’s both. However you look at it, when the winter solstice approaches, it seems the light that sustains us wanes, and for want of it we are weakened in some way by its distance…[Kell] felt the best way to help herself and those she values through this moment that challenges so many so deeply is to surround us all with something uplifting, something that would cause us to lift our eyes to the sky and see the light that remains even in the darkest month of the year.”

At least 22 artists are creating angel-inspired artwork this year. The opening reception Saturday, December 3 at GoodBean in Jacksonville will have live music, refreshments, and an opportunity to meet the artists.

Fourth Annual Angel Art Show

Opening Reception 12 – 4 pm, Dec. 3.

GoodBean, 165 S Oregon St, Jacksonville