Story and photo by Decker Lavely
Those looking for love before Valentine’s Day can find it hanging on the walls of Kahwa Coffee South.
As part of the “Love, Love, Love” art exhibit, colorful pieces of nature, people and abstract works decorate the coffee shop.
The exhibit opened Feb. 1 at 204 Second Ave. S, featuring artists from Creative Clay, a nonprofit for artists with disabilities.
It explores the versatility of love while highlighting its many representations through art. Love isn’t always about romance or heartbreak. It can be found through subjects such as wildlife, like in one of the exhibit’s paintings titled “The Manatee.”
“When you look around, the one thread that seems to be common is that there is a brightness and vitality to it, but if you really look, they are all very unique,” said Kim Dorhman, CEO of Creative Clay. “You can tell the style of each person, and we are supportive of each artist finding their own authentic voice.”
The sounds of a live acoustic guitar filled the space during the exhibit’s opening night while visitors roamed and studied the artwork.
“Love, Love, Love” showcases 20 pieces from multiple Creative Clay artists, curated by Jody Bikoff, the director of exhibitions.
Curating the pieces required selecting works that related to the exhibit’s theme of love, but also a focus on color, style and technique, Bikoff said.
On the far left wall, two paintings created by artist Shasta Gordon, 44, are displayed side by side.
Gordon, a former operations specialist for the United States Navy, said she knew she wanted to paint a piece with angels as the focus when she created “The 2 Angels.”
“There is always a guardian angel over you, wherever you go,” Gordon said.
The inspiration for her other showcased painting “The Couple,” came to her while flipping through a magazine.
Gordon said her message behind “The Couple” is that “if you love someone, be with that person.”
These paintings of love will welcome visitors at Kahwa Coffee South through Feb. 28, and the
artwork is for sale at various price points.
The exhibit is available during regular Kahwa Coffee South business hours. It’s open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
