Genuine collaboration

The new “Be Kind” exhibit at the Brick City Center for the Arts combines the talents of artists Cara Van Leuven, or Cara VL, and Kelsey Mahoney, such as this colorful work. [Photo courtesy Cara VL]

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Posted December 3, 2024 | By Susan Smiley-Height, [email protected]

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Two local artists with diversely different styles have teamed up for the new “Be Kind” exhibit at the Brick City Center for the Arts. Cara Van Leuven, or Cara VL, is known for her artworks of leggy equines. Kelsey Mahoney creates works of geometric shapes in various colors and tones.

“Experience the fusion of their styles as they celebrate the beauty of motion and emotion in every piece. Cara’s striking, long-legged horses leap off the canvas, embodying grace and movement, while Kelsey’s intricate Sharpie details add an energetic layer of depth and texture. Together, they create a vibrant dialogue between form and line, inviting viewers to explore the synergy of their artistic visions,” noted the news release from the Marian Cultural Alliance.

According to an “inspiration” statement on her website, “The hyperreal, disproportionately long legs of the horses found in Cara Van Leuven’s art is founded in the sense of fragility omnipresent within any equestrian relationship.”

The notes indicate that, “Ironically, in 2008 it was Cara’s extended hiatus away from horses caused by her blossoming photography and graphic design career that ultimately became the catalyst for Cara to recombine her purposefully unearthed passion for all things equestrian with her hard-earned visual arts prowess. The result? Chaos that’s under control, in colors that jump off the canvas.”

A March 2022 feature article in the “Gazette’s” sister publication, “Ocala Style Magazine,” noted that Mahoney was being recognized by leaders in the local art scene and was invited to participate in WUFT TV’s “Artistry in Motion” exhibition and had her first solo exhibition, “Pixel Adventures,” at the 8th Ave. Gallery in Ocala.

Mahoney, who has Down syndrome, has been creating art since she was 6 years old. The article noted that, “Each person with DS has a unique way of looking at life. Their artistic expressions are distinctive because they reflect their individuality. Over the past 20 or so years, many such artists have had their work recognized by the artistic community and have flourished in the field, allowing them to showcase their art around the world—some have even had their work included in exhibitions and the permanent collections of such world-class museums as the Museum of Modern Art in New York. But Mahoney and her family, which includes sisters Madison and Brianna, want the world to focus on her talent as an artist, not as an artist with DS, above all else.”

Mahoney posted recently on social media that she was “excited to be working on the collaborative piece with my favorite artist and friend, Cara VL.”

“Working with an artist as talented as Kelsey has greatly enhanced my own work and vision. There was an unspoken agreement in the beginning where neither of us asked the other what to do; we would simply sit and respect one another’s vision as artists. I think that’s why I’m so proud of the work that we’ve done for this show. It has a natural flow and grace that wasn’t forced, rather a genuine collaboration unfolded,” Van Leuven said via email.

“As always, working with MCA for ‘Be Kind’ has been so easy and uplifting. When we initially proposed our idea to them, they were immediately on board. I hope Ocala understands what a blessing MCA is—their support for the arts and artists is simply creatively driven, not ego,” Van Leuven added.

“Be Kind” will be on display through Jan. 4. The Brick City Center for the Arts is located at 23 SW Broadway St. in downtown Ocala.

For gallery hours and more information, go to mcaocala.org or call 352-369-1500. To learn more about the artists, go to fb .com/kelseymahoneyartist and caravl.com