BEYOND OUR WORLD

The BEYOND Art Collective returns to the Cherry Gallery with interactive worlds of art.

By Sydney Keller

You may have visited the pop-up art exhibit that was in downtown Ithaca on the Commons for some time last summer. Due to popular demand, Ithaca’s BEYOND Art Collective is now back, but only open for a limited time.

Jump into the world of imagination and illusion by visiting the new interactive art exhibit, “Journey Beyond Time,” open April 6 to April 30 at the Cherry Gallery, 102 Cherry St. in Ithaca. e experience includes 20 regional artists with new exhibit features ranging from a “Time Blender” to an “Enchanted Forest.”

Co-lead artist of the BEYOND Art Collective, Doug Shire, says this experience di ers from the pop-up experience that was on the Ithaca Commons because this exhibit has a theme.

“What’s di erent about this exhibit is that there is a narrative,” Shire said. “ ere’s a back story that kind of ties the whole exhibit together.”

Doug says the main attraction of this exhibit is the Time Blender which allows people to travel into di erent “worlds.” e Time Blender sets the narrative of the exhibit because once you enter the machine, you have six di erent doors that lead to these “worlds” you can choose from.

Visitors can expect to encounter the following “worlds” during their experience:

• The Ancient Future • The Crystal Cave • The Wild Devonian • The Enchanted Forest • The Map Room

Doug expresses how interactive art experiences di er from the traditional realm of art because you yourself are part of the exhibit.

“I think that for too long people have been encouraged to interact with art by simply looking at it and feeling whatever feelings you have when you see an image, but art experiences that are hands-on, that invite you to touch and engage your senses and explore, are kind of like an all ages playground,” Shire says. “I think it’s a visceral way of having fun with art that really appeals to people broadly…”

A suggested donation of $ 5 to $ 10 is requested at the door for all visitors, but no one will be turned away.

Save the date for April 8, the rst Friday the exhibit is open. Stop by the Gala Grand Opening event called “TIMELESS,” which will include a silent disco, local music producers and DJs from 8 p. m.-midnight. e event requires tickets to enter. Tickets cost $ 20 at the door or you can purchase ahead of time for $ 15 online at SeeBeyond. Art.

Can’t make the grand opening? You can visit on April 9 to enjoy not only the interactive art, but featured live music for free from 7:30-9 p. m. e gallery’s operating hours will be Wednesday, ursday and Friday from 5-9 p. m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon-9 p. m. e gallery will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Doug says visitors can expect to spend about an hour at the experience venturing through the di erent “worlds.” e Cherry Gallery is located at 130 Cherry Street in Ithaca and it is located on the rst oor of the Arthaus building.

For more information, visit https://www.seebeyond.art.

The bright walls of the BEYOND art exhibit. (Photo: Provided)

Doug Shire inside the BEYOND art exhibit. (Photo: Provided)

A look inside the latest BEYOND art exhibit. (Photo: Provided)