October's Ghost

Mark Bettis Gallery will host an opening reception for its upcoming exhibition, October’s Ghost, on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

The exhibition explores the connection between the changing autumn season and the spiritual world through the lens of two classical ideas: Memento Vivere (remember to live) and Memento Mori (remember you will die).

October’s Ghost focuses on mid-October as a unique time of year caught precisely between the active energy of late autumn and the quiet chill of approaching winter- a moment when many cultures believe the line between the physical and spiritual worlds becomes thin.

The artwork on display is organized into two contrasting conceptual themes:

• The Living World (Memento Vivere): Artworks celebrating the physical energy, warmth, and texture of the natural world.
• The Spiritual Realm (Memento Mori): Artworks capturing the quiet, ghostly stillness of memory, ancestry, and mortality.

Featured mediums include mixed media, paintings, sculptures, glass, and other-worldly pieces of fine art.

"We wanted to capture the invisible energy of autumn," says Mark Bettis. "The art in this show breathes in that quiet space where the physical world whispers to the spiritual world, right as the seasons change."

October’s Ghost runs through November 1st.

Mark Bettis Gallery hours are Monday - Thursday from 10 am to 4pm, Friday-Saturday 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday 11 am to 3 pm. The gallery is located in the River Arts District at 123 Roberts Street, Asheville NC 28801. The gallery features unique and distinctive works of art in a variety of mediums including contemporary paintings, glass, sculpture and mixed media.

For more information about the upcoming “Octobers Ghost” exhibition, please visit markbettisgallery.com or contact Mark or Sam at Mark Bettis Gallery at 828-660-4968 or [email protected]