Rural Arts Haven : Shopbots in Franklin County

 

Overlooking the Village of Shelburne Falls and the Deerfield River, Salmon Falls Gallery is simply a great place to take in the view: inside you are looking at gorgeous works of art, outside the river flowing under The Bridge of Flowers and over Salmon Falls, the gallery’s namesake.salmon falls gallery collage

Was visiting Franklin County earlier this week to see Donna Gates, who is the Director/Curator for the gallery owned by Josh Simpson a fellow artist and creator of fantastical glass work, and we finalized a year-long engagement. Yes – that’s right, you can now see my “Shopbots” in this breath-taking place. I’m so thankful to have my work around so many great artists and great people all living/working within 50 miles of the town.

If you find yourself out and about, spend the day in town or stay the weekend, there are so many venues to explore. Shelburne Falls is a walk-able village that is home to more than a dozen art galleries, as well as fine dining, shops devoted to vintage clothing and collectibles, bookstores, a trolley museum and a pharmacy that still has a working soda counter (yum!).

Knack Knack – Who’s There? The Knack!

Sometimes when I’m looking for inspiration I venture out to junk/scrap yards, rummage around in my garage or reach out to friends who might be thinking about discarding items around the house. I have even received packages from clients or people I’ve met shows who thought a particular object might inspire me (just wait to see what I can do with roller skate trucks and fuses!). But the one place I always know will have some inspiration for me is Knack.

Knack, is creative reuse center that collects discarded materials, sorts them, and makes them available for people to use in any creative way they wish. Founded in 2012 by Amber & Macey, it is now owned by Marjory Zaik – that’s her with Joe, the robot I created with materials from the store.Knack Collage

They host Open Studio hours — where you can use all of their tools and selected materials, as well a variety of workshops and classes. Have a mini-maker in your house? They have craft parties that any kids would surely enjoy for a birthday. Hell, I’m even thinking about having mine there this summer – you are never too old to roll-up your sleeves and get crafty. knack-creative-reuse-center 1

Visit their Instagram for some ideas or pop on in yourself to check it out, they have collage parties running all this month too. Don’t forget to say hi to Marjory and Joe for me!

 

Aprons Ahoy!

burns pic of terry

Thanks to Burns Maxey for the wonderful picture of me and my stylish new gear.

apron girl 2

Super stoked about my custom apron designed by Malinda Lovic. We met at the LOOP show over the summer and totally dig what she does.

 

 

 

You might know her better as Ballistic Miss L from the Pair O’ Dice City Rollers, the Roller Derby League of Springfield, MA. That’s her in the front in purple tearing it up! in the shop

Had a blast with her spit-balling all the ideas for what might go into mine. She totally nailed it!

 

 

Here I am rocking the new apron in the shop giving Buzzer a bit of a buff job for his birthday.

For all of the southpaws out there, have her create a left handed version for you. The chest pockets and waist straps can be flipped, allowing for greater ease of use.

 

Eastworks Holiday Pop-up

A few months ago I was introduced to Beth McElhiney, a local artist and Master Silversmith recently relocated from the Cape, she shared with me some of the details about a pop-up shop she envisioned at Eastworks.

For those of you who aren’t familiar Eastworks it is the old Stanley building, a large tool manufacturer, that has been re-purposed into a series of studios and art galleries including a live-in residential area for the vibrant community of artists who live or work there. The artists come together at many different times during the year, one of which is at the Eastworks pop-up shop which opened right after Thanksgiving with a variety of local artisans.

I am thrilled that she asked me to be part of the shop this year. We had a great time setting up the shop and she snapped these wonderful pictures of me along with members of my robot army, including “Stanley” made from old parts made in this building.

Pop Up Shop Collage

Stop by to see Beth and catch some of my newest shop bots, including Decker, they’ll be open only for a few more weeks.