Paintings by Frits van Eeden on view in “Traces of a Moment” at Derek Gores Gallery. Photo by Derek Gores.

By PAM HARBAUGH

Derek Gores has always wanted to make an impact on Brevard’s cultural community. An accomplished and highly collectible artist himself, Mr. Gores has been a fixture in the Eau Gallie Arts District for a few years.

For a while, he ran the ArtLab, an studio with an industrial feel. It was the place for artists to gather, become inspired, motivated, connected with one another. He had the occasional art exhibitions, most of them forward thinking in their style and content.

He eventually closed down ArtLab and moved around the corner to open the Derek Gores Gallery, a very inviting locale filled with art and flexible installations which would allow for performances and special artsy evenings which Mr. Gores designs himself.

Fast forward to today:

Mr. Gores currently is exhibiting “Frits van Eeden/Traces of a Moment” which explores work by one of Brevard’s best loved artists, Frits van Eeden. The exhibit has a wide array of Mr. van Eeden’s works, including sculptures and paintings. That exhibition runs through April 13.

On Saturday, the gallery becomes the performance venue for the NQR Improv Show which begins 8 p.m. Saturday, admission is $15, seating limited. NQR stands for the Not Quite Right Players, a long standing improvisation group headed up by Jessica Taylor. She also leads improv workshops at the Gallery on select Thursday evenings.

So don’t say there’s nothing different to do in Brevard. People like Mr. Gores continue to make an impact, to stretch our borders, to dare to step out of the box and beckon us to join him.

Photo by Leeanne Saylors used by permission.

SIDE O’ GRITS: Derek Gores Gallery is at 587 W. Eau Gallie Blvd., Melbourne. Regular hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Call 321-258-2119, or contact derek@derekgores.com, or visit www.DerekGoresGallery.com.