The documentary film Point of Beginning documents the studio practice of artist Zoë Welsh.

Framed around the creation of a large painting—the 86”x64” painting “Red River”—the film shows Welsh working on a variety of pieces, using a variety of materials like paper and combination paint + primer to achieve stunning results. Known for boldly-colored mixed-media paintings that inhabit a space between abstraction and figurative land- scapes, Welsh, in a series of voice-over interviews, discusses how memory, abstraction, pregnancy, and the intrusion (or lack thereof) of the camera impact her art.

Point of Beginning is directed by artist and musician David Bernabo, who also composed and performed the film’s score on upright bass and pitched metals. Filming began in February 2023 and wrapped in May 2023. The film is produced by Pittsburgh record label Ongoing Box.

Join us on Saturday, September 23 at 7:30 pm for a screening of Point of Beginning with David Bernabo. David is one of the artist mentors for the 2023 Distillery Emerging Artist Residency, and the screening will also feature short video works from some of this year’s artists-in-residence.

Watch the trailer for Point of Beginning.