The South Bend Civic Theatre is pleased to announce the Currey Gallery spring exhibition opened on May 5, showcasing the work of three distinctive regional artists whose styles reflect creativity, storytelling, and community connection: Kim Pruitt, Alex Ann Allen, and Amy Beth Geerling Payne (“Supah”).
Located inside South Bend Civic Theatre, the Currey Gallery offers patrons and visitors an opportunity to experience visual art alongside live performance, further enriching the theatre’s role as a cultural hub in the community.
Kim Pruitt, a southwest Michigan painter and mixed-media artist, presents work inspired by the textures, stories, and human connections that define community life. A fixture in the Southwest Michigan arts scene for nearly three decades, Pruitt has helped shape the region’s creative culture while developing a body of work grounded in portraiture, expressive mark-making, and narrative atmosphere. Her pieces evoke a strong sense of place and belonging that aligns naturally with the spirit of Civic.
Alex Ann Allen, a South Bend artist and curator, is recognized for vivid murals, geometric color portals, and expressive portraiture that blend public art with contemporary studio practice. As founder of Mural Mania, Allen has transformed the visual landscape of Michiana by bringing national artists together for large-scale collaborative murals celebrating community. Her work captures movement, bold emotion, and dynamic light, qualities that echo the energy of live theatre.
Amy Beth Geerling Payne (“Supah”), a Michigan-based painter, is best known for her acclaimed series Highly Professional Business Cats, a whimsical collection of expertly rendered feline portraits dressed in suits, dresses, ties, and other human attire. Trained at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Maryland Institute College of Art, Payne combines technical precision with humor and theatrical imagination. Her satirical yet endearing portraits explore identity, costume, character, and the roles people perform in everyday life.
“The Currey Gallery allows us to celebrate another form of storytelling through visual art,” said Aaron Nichols, Executive Director of the South Bend Civic Theatre. “These artists each bring a unique perspective that complements the creativity and imagination found on our stage.”
The Currey Gallery spring exhibition will be available to theatre patrons and visitors during show performance and box office hours through May 27th.
