Arts Corner

 

Arts Corner – Artist Spotlight for August – Beverly Salas

Contributed by Rachael Dzikonski, Executive Director, Riverside Arts Council

As we reach the peak of the summer heat, we also find ourselves more than halfway through the year. August’s First Thursday Artswalk marks the eighth rotation of artwork showcasing the incredible talent of artists throughout our community, supported by galleries such as RCAA Gallery, Division 9 Gallery, and Pain Sugar Gallery. These spaces have not only provided opportunities for artists to exhibit their work but have also played an important role in helping Downtown Riverside grow into a recognized Arts & Culture District. August also marks the eighth month of Artists on Main, where more than 100 artists each month share their creativity, connect with the community, and pursue their creative careers. This month’s Artist Spotlight features one of the many artists who regularly participates in Artswalk, sharing her work and building her career as an artist. We are pleased to highlight Beverly Salas.

Beverly Salas is an illustrator who was born and raised in Anaheim and began participating in Riverside Artswalk in July 2025.  A lifelong artist, Beverly has been creating art since childhood and is now a full-time artist. While inspiration comes from many aspects of her life, nature has had the greatest influence on her work. She creates whenever she has the opportunity, making art a daily practice even while balancing the many responsibilities that come with running a creative business. Over the years, Beverly has exhibited her work at a variety of venues including Libromobile, Bookman, and Comic Book Hideout. Her illustrations have also been commissioned by organizations and clients such as Amazon Prime, Hulu, the Los Angeles Mycological Society, and several local bands. In addition to participating in Riverside Artswalk every month over the past year, Beverly has been a fixture at the Santa Ana ArtWalk for more than 12 years and has participated in numerous zine festivals throughout the West Coast. This year, she was also selected as a vendor for the Riverside Art & Music Festival, which will take place on September 26 at White Park in Downtown Riverside’s Arts & Culture District.

For Beverly, creating art is more than a passion or profession—it is her purpose. Her goal is to continue building a sustainable full-time creative career while expanding her exhibition opportunities through gallery and museum shows. Looking ahead, she dreams of taking part in ArtWalks around the world, traveling, connecting with new communities, and sharing her artwork with audiences internationally. This month during Riverside Artswalk, be sure to stroll through Artists on Main and visit Beverly’s booth. Take some time to explore her work, learn about her creative journey, and support her career as a working artist. While you’re downtown, make sure to visit the many galleries, museums, and creative spaces that help make Riverside’s Arts & Culture District such a vibrant and growing destination for arts and culture.

For more information about Beverly visit www.beverlysalas.com or @beverlysalas on Instagram. For more information about Riverside Artswalk, visit www.riversideartswalk.com or follow @riversideartswalk on Instagram.