Meet Our Artists Part One 2022

Beth Beverly

Born a scavenger from a young age, Beth Beverly began to collect what some may categorize as detritus; fibers, bones, discarded objects from nature, and incorporated them into her artwork. When she found taxidermy twenty years ago, it was clearly her medium. Using animals that have expired naturally or were byproducts of humanely raised farm stock, taxidermy allows Beth to reanimate things which most people would not be willing to touch. The artworks invite a rare intimacy with nature. Through her pieces, she strives to illustrate the meaningful connection between the quick and the dead.

Beth's work has been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, AMC's unscripted series Immortalized, and Netflix's Stranger Things, to name a few. She has led demonstrations and workshops on taxidermy since 2013 at various schools and institutions, including the Wagner Institute, American Philosophical Museum, and the Chemical Heritage Foundation. Her knowledge of the craft and her restorative skills have been tapped by museums such as the Academy of Natural Sciences and the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, as well as the Vadon Hunting Museum in Transylvania. Follow Beth on Instagram.

Amy Bond

After receiving a BA in graphic design from Stockton University in NJ, Amy worked as an artist in the video game industry at several studios in the San Francisco Bay Area, the last one being the mothership: Electronic Arts. While working full time, she maintained an active studio practice in the Belcher Artists building and participated in several group shows.

Amy made a move from SF to Philadelphia and left video games behind and started her own graphic design studio. From 2008-2016, Amy was on the board of Positive Space, a Fishtown based arts group. She currently volunteers with PEP (Programs Employing People) in their visual arts program, teaching art to people with disabilities.

In 2020 Amy scaled down her graphic design business to focus on creating art. She initiated and coordinated a hyperlocal neighbors art project during the early lockdown period of the pandemic, involving six neighbors collaborating on and circulating collage pieces. She works daily in her home art studio in Fishtown. Follow Amy on Instagram.

Melissa Clouser

Meli Clo-Miss is a sewist and quilter in NW Philadelphia. Her work generally showcases bright bold colors paired with modern geometric black and white patterns. Her modern designs and handmade quality make quilting appeal to many generations and tastes. Follow Melissa on Instagram. 

Raichl Davenport

Raichl Davenport is a fabric artist from the City of Brotherly Love. Using printed fabrics, with a special focus on African inspired patterns, Davenport creates images that tell stories centering Black people, Black experiences, and the continued fight for justice & equality. The self-taught artist started her art journey in 2018, making fabric creations just for family and friends. But in 2020, as the world changed, so did the nature of her business. She started working under her brand named AfroLove, and taking her art to new places. In the year 2021, AfroLove participated in 6 art shows, partnered with 4 local art collectives, and sold 35 unique pieces of artwork. In 2022, expect to see Davenport and her AfroLove brand at art exhibitions around the city, such as the Manayunk Arts Festival, Mt. Airy Art Garage, and alongside Art Star Philly at The Bourse, just to name a few. The two works created for “Furnished for Good” are AfroLove’s first furniture redesign pieces, however, they will not be the last. Follow Davenport’s journey at www.AFROLOVEPHILLY.com or on Instagram.