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March 5-29, 2014

Artist William Rathbun’s paintings will be on display beginning Wednesday March 5th. Rathbun has been creating work for over 40 years and has shown his work exclusively in museums in galleries in Massachusetts, most notably the deCordova Museum. Rathbun is continuously experimenting with a variety of styles and mediums that include paintings, sculpture, and neon.

Recently, a visit by the Hope & Feathers staff to Bill’s studio resulted in the resurfacing of a series of watercolors. Captivated by the vibrant and playful nature of these works we set about planning a show. Rathbun’s exploration of neon sculpture is an obvious influence on the creation of this series of paintings. To experience these watercolors is to witness an evolution of “electric” from sculpture to paint and paper.

Image: Our First Snow, Watercolor on paper

January 22 – March 1, 2014

Nancy Meagher’s paintings are now on view here at Hope and Feathers Framing. Each of her sculptural, layered oil paintings creates a sense of time, place, and emotion. This exhibition officially opened on January 22nd. It will be on view through March 1st.

Meagher finds beauty in the gray days of the Valley. Her paintings are about finding the green in winter, the silver lining of clouds, the lemons that hold lemonade. Her work reflects geology and the Earth’s history, miles of rambling stone walls, how the Connecticut River evolved, the beginnings of Leverett Pond, how Puffer’s Pond helped create paper, old brick Mills, and fish!

November 5-30, 2013

Hope & Feathers Gallery is thrilled to announce it will be showing the work of Vanessa Chakour. Now Brooklyn based, Chakour grew up in Amherst in a family of renowned musicians and educators. From November 5th – 30th, Chakour will exhibit select paintings and drawings from 2006-present

Abstract in nature, Chakour’s work incorporates “stream of consciousness” images and words. She releases thoughts, feelings and emotions onto her surfaces as a way of letting go and shedding layers like skins that house dreams, nightmares, memories and desires of one’s true self. Releasing these emotions and reforming them into colorful, bursting forms allows the artist to be free and celebrate being part of a bigger experience in conjunction with the universe.

In her newest pieces, Chakour is exploring connection to nature and desire to maintain wildness within and without. She will be collaborating with the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, NY, and developing workshops while bringing awareness to the issues facing wolves and top predators that are vital to our ecosystem. This show will raise help funds and awareness for the conservation center and more importantly speak to the issue of wolves who have recently lost their protection and are being killed and hunted at an alarming rate. For more information: vanessachakour.com and nywolf.org.

The exhibition opens during the Amherst Art Walk on Thursday, November 7th from 5-8pm. An artist reception will be held on Saturday, November 9th from 4-7pm. The show can also be viewed Monday – Friday 10-6pm and Saturday 10-4pm throughout the month of November.