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Mixed Media Collage by Amherst artist Nan Salky, March 5th to 28th. Extended to May 2nd

Nan finds inspiration and materials for her art in her wanderings through antique stores brimming with vintage ephemera. She is drawn to certain faces and expressions, finding humor and playfulness in the process of transformation. In her studio, formal portraits are collaged and embellished with exotic birds, flowers and impossible combinations of detail. This process helps revive and recast the images into a more personal and fanciful vision. Her pieces are completed with repurposed antique frames that help hold their place in the past.

Opening Reception: Thursday, March 5th, 5-8pm, during Amherst Arts Night Plus

About Nan Salky:
Nan grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. She received her BA in Writing and Illustrating Children’s Books from The University of Colorado, Boulder, and an MA in Counseling Psychology from Antioch New England. She has worked for more than thirty years as a psychotherapist, and has reared two daughters. She lives in Amherst with her husband, Tom Murphy, who supports and assists in her artistic endeavors. Her art work has been exhibited locally since 2010. 

Nan’s exhibit of assemblage works, “I Heard the Shadows Calling”, was shown in the gallery in 2014.

Futuristic drawings by Holyoke artist Christina Gusek, January 22nd – February 29th.

Christina’s work has been described as psychedelic cyberpunk. Her vibrant futuristic drawings are inspired by recent advancements in science and technology and imagine the possible consequences these developments may have on nature and humanity. She illustrates fantastical aspects of possible and unknown futures, evoking dialogues involving theories of humanity evolving beyond current physical and mental limitations toward an ultimate goal of immortality. Her work ultimately poses the question: what effects will future technologies have on humans and our planet?

The future is uncertain but her hope is that major global issues we face today — such as climate change, terminal illness, life expectancy, and war — will ultimately be remediated or fully resolved via emerging technologies so succeeding generations will prosper in a new and better world.

Opening Reception: Thursday, February 6th, 5-8pm, during Amherst Arts Night Plus

About Christina Gusek:
Christina has exhibited her work locally, nationally, and internationally for more than 16 years. She works primarily with pen, ink, and marker, sometimes combined with acrylics and colored pencil. She is a graduate of Springfield Technical Community College and Westwood College in Atlanta, and holds degrees in Graphic Design and Visual Communications/Art. She lives in Holyoke with her partner, artist Adam Mulcahy.

Want to get lucky on Valentines Day? Enter for a chance to win a framed futuristic 8×10 portrait by Christina of your most beloved person or pet (or yourself)! We will choose a name at random on Valentines Day! Come by the shop and fill out a free ticket until Feb 13th for a chance to win ❤️

We’ll choose a ticket at random on February 14th. Winner must submit a photo and the drawing will be competed within 4-6 weeks of receipt of the photo. We will choose the perfect frame to complement your portrait.

How old were you when you created your first artwork?
According to my mother, as soon as I could pick up a crayon. As a child, I was never really one for words, so I found comfort in expressing myself through pictures.

When did you know you wanted to be an artist?
Around 5 or 6 years old in kindergarten. I would spend all my time in the art & craft section of the classroom. I was always getting in trouble for not participating in any of the other activities. I was young, but I think it was then that I discovered that art was my passion.

What inspires you?
Long hikes in nature. I am also inspired by anything related to future technologies and science.

What is your creative process like? How do you work?
Most of the time I do not have any idea as to what I will be creating and the work just seems to happen naturally. I tend to work on pieces sporadically and never for lengths of time longer than 3 or 4 hours. I prefer to walk away from pieces to mull over ideas and go back to them when the time is right. It helps that my studio is in my home because I am a multitasker, and tend to work on art while doing something else at the same time. (Usually cooking since I love to cook too!)

Any advice to young or emerging artists?
Believe in yourself, stay positive, and never let anyone distract you from following your dreams.

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Paintings by Northampton artist Laura Radwell, November 6th – 30th

Laura Radwell’s work is characterized by atmospheric and dream-like components of landscape that drift, overlap, and morph into one another. These new works are an exploration of a further point along that continuum involving tighter, more disciplined, and dynamic compositions — they emerge from a place she has not been before, a willingness to commit to more definition. Geometry, line, and shape that she sees as muscular and lyrical, reflect the natural landscape, but they often go beyond to evoke the sinuous forms and contours of the human body. She sees the work as a melding of gesture and body contained in landscape and landscape contained in the body.

Opening Reception: Thursday, November 7th, 5-8pm, during Amherst Arts Night Plus.

Please note: the shop is closed for Thanksgiving Nov 28th & 29th, so the exhibit has been extended to Saturday Nov 30th.