About
In 2021, Ex Nihilo Gallery opened its virtual doors, but the journey began a few years earlier. In 2018, Elise Aleman, while attending Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), had a vision of opening a fine arts gallery for Christians. This gallery would provide an exclusive setting for emerging as well as established artists worldwide. In 2020, physical limitations forced many art galleries to venture into the online world to reach art lovers. This provided a perfect platform for Elise to begin realizing her dream.
Here at Ex Nihilo Gallery, we are deeply committed to sharing the gospel and furthering the spiritual growth of our artists, buyers, and everyone who is seeking truth. Our weekly devotionals aim to inspire and encourage with art and words.
We represent a limited number of select artists, thus permitting individual attention and the ability to assist in expanding their careers.
Ex Nihilo's long-term vision is to open a physical location with studios where artists can work and grow in a like-minded setting.
Elise Aleman
FOUNDER
Following in the steps of her late father, Rafael Aleman, Elise Aleman has the heart of an entrepreneur. In 1967, Rafael migrated to the United States from Cuba with his wife, Paula, and seven-year-old daughter, Elise (Ana Maria at that time), to pursue the American dream. They came with nothing but the clothes they wore, but with hard work and dedication, Rafael saved enough to own and operate a small local grocery store and later a moving business.
Her father’s legacy encouraged Elise to pursue her goals, but it was her Savior who put the dream of the artists in her heart. Elise worked contently in the graphic industry for over thirty years, but after her only son, Anthony, left home for college, a stirring to return to her love of fine art began to develop. At the time, she was working at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, and during a special staff worship service, the Lord gave her a vision of a hill filled with large artwork as far as the eye could see—and this verse from Habakkuk 2:2–3.
“Write down the vision
And inscribe it clearly on tablets,
So that one who reads it may run.
For the vision is yet for the appointed time;
It hurries toward the goal and it will not fail.
Though it delays, wait for it;
For it will certainly come, it will not delay long.”
Equipped with the vision, Elise quit her seventeen-year job to enroll in college and pursue a degree in Fine Arts. It was a challenging journey, and in the spring of 2021, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from SCAD with a B.F.A degree in painting. Elise opened Ex Nihilo Gallery in the fall of that same year.