4th Annual “Apis Opus” Juried Exhibition

Nkollectiv welcomes spring and the return of the buzzy pollinators

3 hours ago

CE Staff,

Jeanne Archer

Nkollectiv welcomes spring and the return of the buzzy pollinators with their 4th Annual “Apis Opus” Juried Exhibition, a celebration of wax media—Apis translating to the common genus of bees and Opus meaning a work of art. On view April 4 – May 3, 2026, the show presents a colorful display of 2- and 3-D artworks submitted by U.S. artists working in any beeswax-based media such as encaustic or cold-wax medium. All pieces in the show are derived either from beeswax-based media, alone or combined with other materials. Located at 3485 S. Broadway, the gallery is open to the public for viewing and shopping during regular hours as listed below in addition to the following special events.

Opening Reception: Saturday, April 4, 4 – 8 p.m.
Second Saturday Reception & Artist Demos: Saturday, April 11, 4 – 8 p.m.

Additional demos will be scheduled throughout the exhibition.

Anne Feller

The exhibition was juried by local encaustic artist Patricia Aaron, who reviewed over 100 entries, selecting 42 pieces by 29 artists residing across the U.S., including Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, New York, Oregon, and Washington.

“I was honored to be invited to serve as juror for the 2026 Apis Opus exhibition at NKollectiv Gallery. The exhibition brings together a dynamic range of wax-based works, including abstract, figurative, and sculptural approaches to the medium. The submissions represented an impressive breadth of vision and technical strength. It was a privilege to review such a strong field of artists, and many works distinguished themselves through their originality, sensitivity to material, and compelling visual presence.” Patricia Aaron, Juror

Encaustic medium is solid at room temperature and must be heated to a molten state to apply to a surface. It is made up of beeswax and often a small amount of Damar (tree sap) resin; if pigment is added, then it is known as encaustic paint. The layers are brushed on and the wax cools quickly before being reheated between each layer to fuse top layers of wax to those below.

Cold wax medium is soft and mixable at room temperature without added heat due to the inclusion of a solvent, such as odorless mineral spirits. It is often mixed with oil paint to make it a bit more transparent with a matte finish, while also allowing for a textured layering process, often with an accelerated drying time.

Carrie Christopher

About Second Saturday

Englewood invites the community to explore the city’s vibrant creative and small business scene during this monthly event. Local art galleries, studios, organizations, creatives and other small businesses host events such as pop-ups, open studios, and curated experiences. Find a map of participating locations and a list of current events at easel-co.com/secondsaturdays.

About NKollectiv & EASEL

NKollectiv is a curated gallery showcasing a diverse group of local artists and is the anchor of EASEL (Englewood Art Studios, Events and Lessons)—a vibrant, second-floor creative hub at 3485 S. Broadway in Englewood. EASEL includes artist studios, a rentable gallery, and event spaces for workshops and community programming.