beth ferraro
the SILVA THE ART ISLAND GALLery
x
The Joy of Simplicity | Emon Surakitkoson
A new series inspired by farming culture in Thailand:
finding joy, creativity, and resilience in everyday life
Opening Reception: Friday, May 8, from 6 - 8 pm
May 8 — September 6
Gallery Open Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sundays from noon to 5 pm. Please email if you would like to purchase art or a curated tour.
Emon Surakitkoson | Artist Statement
This series is inspired by the patterns and colors of Thai textiles, often worn in everyday life like a sarong, and connected to farming communities and older generations. Many of the textiles used on the surface are collected from the Isan region of Thailand, supporting small local businesses and makers.
The work is made with my handmade "immigrant brush" and carries the energy of farming life — rhythm, movement, and a sense of ease. Alongside the paintings, I'm also showing a small selection of my favorite sculptures. Together, the works reflect how I move between cultures while staying connected to where I come from.
This exhibition is about sharing culture. Learning from one another and recognizing the value of different communities — especially the people behind the work and the food that support our daily lives.
Curated by Beth Ferraro | The Art Island
For all art purchases and media inquiries: theartisland.dc@gmail.com
To make art collecting more accessible, we offer payment plans.
previous exhibitions
Everyday People
Lionel Daniels
The Silva x The Art Island Gallery
Everyday People | Lionel Daniels
January 15 - May 3, 2026
The first public reception was on Friday, January 23, from 6-8 pm, with the artist, Lionel Daniels, and curator, Beth Ferraro. The gallery is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sundays from noon to 5 pm. Contact Beth Ferraro to schedule a viewing with the Curator. Sign up for the mailing list below to hear about upcoming events.
Join us for an Artist Talk on Saturday, April 18, from 3 - 5 pm.
Everyday People | Artist Statement:
Everyday People is a body of work centered on the quiet dignity of ordinary life. Drawing from personal memory, family, and familiar scenes, the work focuses on moments that often pass without notice. Resting. Waiting. Learning. Being present. These figures are not meant to perform or stand in for anything larger. They exist as they are. While rooted in Black life, Everyday People resists explanation. The work does not ask to be decoded. It asks to be witnessed. Each painting becomes an act of care, honoring presence, endurance, and the quiet heroism found in simply being seen.
Artist Bio and Artist Statement
Photos by Albert Ting, Lionel Daniels, Beth Ferraro
GALLERY UPDATES
The archive of past exhibits by our predecessor, Latela Curatorial, is on their website. We look forward to following and expanding on what they have created in this space. It's an honor to continue supporting and connecting local artists in Washington, DC. To read more details about this new partnership, click here.
_____________________________
The Silva x The Art Island Gallery
1630 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009
Gallery Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sundays from noon to 5 pm