Emerging Curatorial Platform Exhibition at John William Gallery opens in October John William Gallery is pleased to announce its upcoming exhibition curated by the newest Emerging Curator, Roselyn Walsh. Zoe Elwood and Sidney vanNeerden: Life in Still opens on October 19 and continues through December 17, 2026. Opening Reception, Friday, November 6, 2026, during Art Loop from 5:30 – 8:00 PM, John William Gallery, 1313 N Market Atrium, Wilmington, DE

Zoe Elwood and Sidney vanNeerden capture the fleeting movements of life, nature, and emotion in their artwork. They illuminate instability through natural forms as seen in black-and-white prints and photographs. Intentional disruption exists with both artists as they manipulate their environment: in black-and-white, time is suspended.

Across the collection, organic forms meet geometric structures, creating a dynamic dialogue between the irregularity of nature and the discipline of human construction. Curved edges, flowing lines, and natural contours are balanced by carefully considered angles and architectural forms, allowing each work to feel both grounded and refined.

Zoe Elwood uses black-and-white lithograph and monotype prints paired with charcoal works to depict personal stories. Many of the works involve layers of different images printed atop one other. This repetition forces slower, more intentional viewing. The work asks for connection and an appreciation of the fleeting, and sometimes unpleasant, aspects of life.

Sidney vanNeerden connects humanity with nature in black-and-white photography. To capture lost moments, she invites the viewer to take a lingering breath and appreciate the surrounding world. Each piece portrays water as it has been disturbed. The reflection of the trees and sky ripples over the water as it is manipulated. The viewer is absorbed into nature as they imagine themselves throwing stones.

Life in Still encourages the viewer to consider and appreciate the broader inhabited world. The instability of each moment seems frozen in time; behaving as both eternal calm and chaos. Where Elwood depicts tiny moments that seem to soothe every growing storm, vanNeerden captures all the movement at once before it resolves. Together, the works urge the viewer to imagine the stills expanded into full scenes. Often lost in our own lives, Elwood and vanNeerden bring the beauty of our shared environment to the foreground, centering it for our reflection and appreciation.