Alexis Ackerley lives a big life — full of color, adventure and joy.

For many years, dancing, writing, painting and photography have given her opportunities to document those experiences and express her emotions.

Now, friends, family and members of the community have the opportunity to see the world from her unique point of view and enjoy her artwork. 

On January 23, Alexis celebrated the opening of her first art show at The Works’ Central Gallery on 2nd Street. 

Visitors to The Works, Hey Babes and 2nd Street Market will be able to enjoy five of her poured acrylic paintings and five of her photographs until April 25.

“I’ve been dreaming about having my own art in a gallery, and it finally came true,” Alexis said. 

A native of Houston, Texas, Alexis now lives in Nashport, but has traveled all over the world. Her father is a photographer and Alexis has followed in his footsteps, documenting her trips and time spent with friends and family. She regularly creates photobooks and is always looking for interesting ways to capture an image on her iPhone, whether it’s an interesting angle of trees in the fall or light coming through a car window.

Six years ago, a friend introduced her to painting by acrylic pouring. Now she has a studio set up in a shed outside her home, where she works on pieces. 

“I love to express my feelings through my paintings, all the different images in my brain,” she said. 

After years of creating her “masterpieces” Alexis dreamed of being able to share them with the world. 

Her friends, and her LCBDD Service Coordinator Katy Mitchem, encouraged her to strengthen community connections and take that next step.

When Alexis realized that her art could be displayed at the gallery outside of Hey Babes, all the pieces clicked into place.

Alexis has been working at the bakery and coffee shop since November 2024. Helping in the kitchen and cleaning the restaurant’s seating area, Alexis has found support and friendship.

“It’s the community I want to be a part of,” she said. “These are my best friends.”

The staff of The Works often visits Hey Babes for coffee and treats, said Felica Serrano, Office Administrator at The Works. They got to know Alexis and found out she was an artist with a dream of sharing her pieces with the community.

The Central Gallery hadn’t featured a local artist in some time and Alexis’ work matched the upbeat atmosphere of Hey Babes and the surrounding businesses, Felica said.

The Works is currently showcasing a “Think Outside the BRICK” Lego exhibit in its Marcia W. Downes Art Gallery on the other side of The Works, so Alexis’ art provided perfect contrast.

“It was great that we could coordinate with (Alexis and Hey Babes) to do a fun show, with someone that we knew,” Felica said. “We know her, we know her work and it was so easy to coordinate and so much fun.”

Although Alexis was excited to list her pieces for sale — and thrilled to find out that several had already been purchased — she admitted she was nervous leading up to the opening of the show.

But surrounded by her loved ones, coworkers and friends from The Works, she was filled with emotion and gratitude.

“This experience was really inspiring to me personally, I feel like I just want to say ‘thank you’ to everyone for coming to see my art,” she said. 

As visitors walk through the gallery and read her biography, they can learn more about her journey as an artist “who values not only her own success but the meaningful, soulful impact she has on the people around her.”

Her hope is that each visitor’s experience with her art is personal to them, but that they feel a sense of peace and calm. 

As her biography states, she is proud of this new chapter of her journey. 

“Rooted in authenticity and guided by her inner light, Alexis continues to pursue her passions with confidence,” the statement reads. “She is committed to living fully, creating fearlessly and being a positive influence in the world — one artwork, one moment and one inspired step at a time.”

To see more of Alexis’ artwork click here. 

Alexis also has been writing columns for the LCBDD website for the past few years. You can read some of the columns she has written  by clicking here.