'Gypsum' by Ben Bires

About the Exhibit:
Otherworldly. White Sands National Park, New Mexico. Like no place else on Earth.

About the Artist:
Ben is a fourth-generation teacher and an avid traveler based in Colorado Springs. Originally from a small town in Western Pennsylvania, he grew up on a dirt road where he spent much of his early years exploring trails around his backyard pond and nearby creeks. Inspired by his grandmother's paintings, he was surrounded by these depictions of her adventures from around the world which led him to develop a deep appreciation for nature.

His love for the outdoors brought him and his wife to Colorado Springs in 2016, two years after earning a BFA with a focus in drawing and painting from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. They took a leap of faith and moved across the country together searching for new opportunities. Ben quickly became established in the art community, where he is a full-time painting instructor at Cottonwood Center for the Arts. His work is represented by several local galleries including Auric Gallery, The Lookup Gallery and the Broadmoor Galleries.