about the bardo
the bardo is a gallery-café in Charlottesville, VA, offering guests a chance to gather insight, ignite ideas, and receive nourishment on every level. An immersive environment of creativity and contemplation, it gives a pause between moments. The name “bardo” refers to a liminal state, a threshold where perception shifts and awareness deepens.
The gallery centers on the work of Beatrix Ost, an internationally recognized artist whose practice spans painting, sculpture, and mixed media. In this setting, her work explores transformation, myth, and surrealism, creating an atmosphere that piques curiosity and invites reflection.
Rather than separating art from daily life, in the bardo, guests can enjoy conversation, silence, productivity, or creativity. Bring your computer, journal, or notepad. Stay awhile, meet new people, or give yourself some needed quiet-time in the Silent Room upstairs.
the bardo is in service to any and everyone who enters through the door.
The café experience is shaped by Argentine traditions of warmth and generosity, led by Cumbre Bakery. Hospitality here is unhurried yet attentive, encouraging guests to enjoy every aspect of the gallery-café.
Located in the Glass Building just steps from the Downtown Mall, the two-story space includes additional upstairs seating as well as the Silent Room, offering a sanctuary to all visitors.
the bardo is in service to any and everyone who enters through the door.
about the bardo
the bardo is a gallery-café in Charlottesville, VA, offering guests a chance to gather insight, ignite ideas, and receive nourishment on every level. An immersive environment of creativity and contemplation, it gives a pause between moments. The name “bardo” refers to a liminal state, a threshold where perception shifts and awareness deepens.
The gallery centers on the work of Beatrix Ost, an internationally recognized artist whose practice spans painting, sculpture, and mixed media. In this setting, her work explores transformation, myth, and surrealism, creating an atmosphere that piques curiosity and invites reflection.
Rather than separating art from daily life, in the bardo, guests can enjoy conversation, silence, productivity, or creativity. Bring your computer, journal, or notepad. Stay awhile, meet new people, or give yourself some needed quiet-time in the Silent Room upstairs.
the bardo is in service to any and everyone who enters through the door.
The café experience is shaped by Argentine traditions of warmth and generosity, led by Cumbre Bakery. Hospitality here is unhurried yet attentive, encouraging guests to enjoy every aspect of the gallery-café.
Located in the Glass Building just steps from the Downtown Mall, the two-story space includes additional upstairs seating as well as the Silent Room, offering a sanctuary to all visitors.
the bardo is in service to any and everyone who enters through the door.
the bardo is a gallery-café in Charlottesville, VA, offering guests a chance to gather insight, ignite ideas, and receive nourishment on every level. An immersive environment of creativity and contemplation, it gives a pause between moments. The name “bardo” refers to a liminal state, a threshold where perception shifts and awareness deepens.
The gallery centers on the work of Beatrix Ost, an internationally recognized artist whose practice spans painting, sculpture, and mixed media. In this setting, her work explores transformation, myth, and surrealism, creating an atmosphere that piques curiosity and invites reflection.
Rather than separating art from daily life, in the bardo, guests can enjoy conversation, silence, productivity, or creativity. Bring your computer, journal, or notepad. Stay awhile, meet new people, or give yourself some needed quiet-time in the Silent Room upstairs.
the bardo is in service to any and everyone
who enters through the door.
The café experience is shaped by Argentine traditions of warmth and generosity, led by Cumbre Bakery. Hospitality here is unhurried yet attentive, encouraging guests to enjoy every aspect of the gallery-café.
Located in the Glass Building just steps from the Downtown Mall, the two-story space includes additional upstairs seating as well as the Silent Room, offering a sanctuary to all visitors.
about the bardo
Bardo:
Bar•do, 'Bär(,)dõ:
Bardo: Bar•do, 'Bär(,)dõ :
The intermediate, transitional, or liminal state of the soul after death and before rebirth. Are we in the Bardo? We are not merely waiting, we are existing in a space between the inhale and the exhale - between sleeping and awaking. In these moments of transition, we catch a glimpse of what could be.
Time does not exist in this space - there are no seconds in the bardo, only reflections of the heart. Reflection is key in this liminal space. Liminal spaces offer moments of ambiguity and disorientation, both of which occur in middle stages, the hero's journey, and rites of passage. It is in the bardo that we stand on the threshold of our new identity.
Only in the bardo can we find more reverent ways of existing in this world both as individuals and as a people.
The intermediate, transitional, or liminal state of the soul after death and before rebirth. Are we in the Bardo? We are not merely waiting, we are existing in a space between the inhale and the exhale - between sleeping and awaking. In these moments of transition, we catch a glimpse of what could be.
Time does not exist in this space - there are no seconds in the bardo, only reflections of the heart. Reflection is key in this liminal space. Liminal spaces offer moments of ambiguity and disorientation, both of which occur in middle stages, the hero's journey, and rites of passage. It is in the bardo that we stand on the threshold of our new identity.
Only in the bardo can we find more reverent ways of existing in this world both as individuals and as a people.
Bardo: Bar•do, 'Bär(,)dõ :
Bardo: Bar•do, 'Bär(,)dõ :
The intermediate, transitional, or liminal state of the soul after death and before rebirth. Are we in the Bardo? We are not merely waiting, we are existing in a space between the inhale and the exhale - between sleeping and awaking. In these moments of transition, we catch a glimpse of what could be. Time does not exist in this space - there are no seconds in the bardo, only reflections of the heart. Reflection is key in this liminal space. Liminal spaces offer moments of ambiguity and disorientation, both of which occur in middle stages, the hero's journey, and rites of passage. It is in the bardo that we stand on the threshold of our new identity. Only in the bardo can we find more reverent ways of existing in this world both as individuals and as a people.
Bardo: Bar•do, 'Bär(,)dõ :
The intermediate, transitional, or liminal state of the soul after death and before rebirth. Are we in the Bardo? We are not merely waiting, we are existing in a space between the inhale and the exhale - between sleeping and awaking. In these moments of transition, we catch a glimpse of what could be.
Time does not exist in this space - there are no seconds in the bardo, only reflections of the heart. Reflection is key in this liminal space. Liminal spaces offer moments of ambiguity and disorientation, both of which occur in middle stages, the hero's journey, and rites of passage. It is in the bardo that we stand on the threshold of our new identity.
Only in the bardo can we find more reverent ways of existing in this world both as individuals and as a people.
The intermediate, transitional, or liminal state of the soul after death and before rebirth. Are we in the Bardo? We are not merely waiting, we are existing in a space between the inhale and the exhale - between sleeping and awaking. In these moments of transition, we catch a glimpse of what could be.
Time does not exist in this space - there are no seconds in the bardo, only reflections of the heart. Reflection is key in this liminal space. Liminal spaces offer moments of ambiguity and disorientation, both of which occur in middle stages, the hero's journey, and rites of passage. It is in the bardo that we stand on the threshold of our new identity.
Only in the bardo can we find more reverent ways of existing in this world both as individuals and as a people.
Bardo: Bar•do, 'Bär(,)dõ :
art & artist
This living gallery showcases the work of Beatrix Ost, an internationally recognized artist whose paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media works explore transformation, myth, liminality, and surrealism. Exhibited exclusively throughout the bardo, her work transports guests into an extraordinary environment that encourages reflection, imagination, and creative openness.
All artwork displayed in the gallery is available for private acquisition, offering collectors an intimate way to discover Beatrix’s work in a living, breathing space.
Curation & Collaboration
Curated by Syris King-Klem, he shaped the bardo as a threshold between fine art and accessibility. Through his and Beatrix’s collaboration, they share the view that her entire body of work is in conversation with itself across eras, styles, and series, and thus, is not meant to merely be observed. Every element of the gallery reflects their interpersonal harmony, shown by her extensive body of work and his careful stewardship.
Special Thanks to:
John Owen
Chloë Alwood
Stephanie Fishwick
Abel Okugawa
Damon Woods
and many others who are instrumental in bringing the bardo to Charlottesville.