Art at West Street Market – Meet Kate O’Hara

Besides the amazing food and general chill vibe, West Street Market is home to the arts. Our rotating art gallery features new work from local artists on a monthly (common space wall) or tri-monthly (Thali, Esoteric, back room walls) basis. Our current common space collection is the work of Kate O’Hara, and it’s really something special.

The Artist & The Work

Kate is a freelance illustrator based right here in Reno by way of Philadelphia, where she got her BFA in illustration in 2014. Her work is striking – a combination of intricate nature drawings accented by decorative hand lettering and rich color. “This collection of art is all from a series of plant and herb illustrations I did for the book, The Illustrated Herbiary, by Maia Toll,” she says of the work currently hanging at West Street. “I spent about four months creating this series this year, so it’s great to get a chance to show a large portion of it off to the public.”

After hanging out at West Street and participating in a few events, getting her own work on the wall was a natural progression. “I contacted Rachael earlier this year about putting together a show, after seeing some of the other great art you’ve had hanging,” Kate explains. “We set up the timing for my show pretty quickly and I was excited to put together a collection of work for November.”

In the meantime, she kept coming by and hanging out, and the value of our artistic endeavors were not lost on her. “I have been to many shows West Street has put on and I was also a part of the Hella Stellar Markets this summer,” Kate explains, “so I have seen first-hand how valuable this art community is. I really appreciate being able to show my art at West Street Market and be a part of the art community that has come together here. It’s great to find places in Reno that are working hard to support artists and the art community here. ”

The truth is, her show at West Street is just another feather in her cap. Kate’s work has been featured in galleries including Light Grey Art Lab, Antler Gallery, Talon Gallery, WowxWow, Gallery Nucleus Portland, and Lasting Dose Gallery. She’s also received a series of awards and recognition for her artwork, and you’ve probably seen her stuff at the University of Nevada, in the Reno News & Review, and for big-time clients like Scholastic, Pacific Life Insurance, Crabtree & Evelyn, and Hasbro Toys.

And now we’ve got her! Kate’s work will be up through the remainder of November, so come in, grab a bite and take a look. You may even see Kate herself. “I find West Street Market to be an awesome place for creatives to gather, you have great food, great music and a great space to hangout and see some art!”

If you don’t happen upon Kate herself chowing on the vegan options at Thali or the tofu tacos at Deluxe – her current faves – you’ll still be able to enjoy her intricate and incredible artwork.

Tune in next month for details on December’s artist. Remember, we switch them out in the common room every month, just to keep things stay fresh and inspired. We’re artsy like that.