91 COWLS ROAD NORTH AMHERST, MA

YOUR LOCAL ART GALLERY

25+ ARTISTS

Artists represent a swath of mediums, styles, and influences

bringing their unique inspirations to our local community to enjoy.

GATHER

A ten-foot gathering table makes space for classes and intimate conversation. Or easy sharing of art supplies while crafting together.

LOCAL IMPACT

All the work in the Gallery is 100% local, meaning your money goes right to artists creating in and across the Valley!

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EVENT BOOKING

Come host your next event with us! Fill out our booking form below and we will set up time to discuss your activity!

BOOK NOW!

CURRENT ARTISTS

JERRY T. EIDE

Wendell, MA

After spending more than 40 years in the Architectural Preservation trade, Jerry is devoting most of his time exploring woodturning. For the last year, Jerry has enjoyed focusing his attention on creating practical and artistic objects using wood collected from his property in Wendell or brought to him from friends around this valley. His knowledge and use of decorative profiles and historic style edge beading have elevated the look and design of useful bowls and containers. The distorted pattern of the burls provides endless delight in the variation of the colors and grains from the different species of wood, making each art piece a treasure to own or gift.

RACHEL PALMER

Amherst, MA

Rachel Palmer has been enthusiastically making jewelry since she was 15 years old. After taking a break in college, she picked it back up and has been joyfully creating beaded jewelry ever since while also raising 4 children. Rachel’s current creations incorporate natural patterns from wildlife, primarily snakes, into the beaded designs.

MICHAELA SCHWARTZ

Holyoke, MA

Michaela’s journey into art began as a child with a deep love for arts and crafts, but it wasn’t until 2020 that she started to consider herself an artist. Self-taught in polymer clay artistry, Michaela has honed her craft through workshops and community learning. Experimentation with colors, textures, and joyful patterns plays a central role in her creative process. Michaela loves seeing her earrings out in the wild as she aims to bring joy to everyone who wears earrings!

TOOK STORM

Northampton, MA

Took Storm is a genderqueer weaver who draws inspiration from nature, his found family, and the twisty turns of life that led them to weaving. Took works exclusively with thrift store or secondhand balls of yarn in a way that allows tattered and worn yarn to shine. Took enjoys teaching the adaptive weaving methods he works with, creating weaving content on Youtube and Tiktok, and weaving commission memorial scarves and blankets for family members of fiber artists who have passed on.

JACKIE GALLO

South Hadley, MA

The artwork of Jacqueline Gelfuso Gallo explores the interconnectivity of the natural world, the spiritual world, and the human world by combining traditional and modern techniques of image-making. Inspired by ancient folklore, New England heritage, and the branching, growing, layered gifts of the Earth, she strives to stimulate curiosity and inspire a deeper connection to the natural beauty and wonder around us.

Tree Tarot specific:
The Tree Tarot is an in-progress concept tarot deck that Jackie is currently developing. The imagery incorporates her love of trees, as well as the ancient symbolism and significance of the selected species as it relates to each card. Her dream is to send a percentage of the profits to organizations that directly benefit forests and encourage deeper education, appreciation, and protection of forests for generations to come.

CAMILLE TAHAR

Belchertown, MA

In response to the pandemic, Camille began PickNature in 2020 and creating her jewelry quickly became a full-time occupation. Camille uses epoxy and UV resin to freeze nature in time - foraging or growing and then drying everything she uses while carefully respecting nature. Camille does not hurt any insect or plant for her art. She researches plants conservation status and leaves rare ones alone.

JUDY VAZQUEZ

Northampton, MA

Judy Vazquez is a mosaic artist who lives in Northampton and spends a portion of the year on Anna Maria Island. Her inspiration comes from spending time on Anna Maria Island and hiking in nature in the northeast. She sees her art as a tool to transcend and bring peace to the observer while stirring the imagination. She creates mosaic mirrors, mandalas, nature scenes, unique jewelry, and stepping stones for indoor and outdoor sacred spaces.

ACE HARRILL

Amherst, MA

Ace Harrill is a queer/trans potter whose work addresses themes of community responsibility and collective care. Working with functional ware, he invite viewers to participate in conversation and exchange, emphasizing the tactile and communal aspects of creating and using dishes. With an emphasis on bright colors and bold shapes, his work prioritizes the creation of joy. He want folks to walk away from his work feeling a little more connected to their community, and themselves. And hopefully, with a mug in hand!

SHANNON HARTFORD

Hadley, MA

Shannon is a self-taught photographer who combines aspects of energy healing through art. Each piece is representative of personal exploration and creative expression. The goal of this collection of work is healing for both the photographer and those who find themselves energetically drawn towards each piece.

CHRIS BORDENCA

Ludlow, MA

Collectors around the world enjoy Chris Bordenca’s paintings which focus on a personal connection to action figures, toys, video games, and places from his youth in the 70’s and 80’s. Chris has shown his work around New England in various group shows and several paintings have been given awards, including "Starless Sea with Keys" which won first place for acrylic painting at the Northeast Fine Arts Exposition.

“Almost nothing gets forgotten anymore. The past exists in the collective memory of the internet, and we can reach in and physically bring those memories into our present.” Chris Bordenca

BARBARA BALLOU

Monson, MA

Barbara is a self-taught polymer clay artist. Her pieces have a delicate vintage feel.

A firm believer in using what’s on hand, she takes textures and design ideas from unusual places - like her kids’ toys or pressed flowers from her garden - to create uniquely beautiful and detailed jewelry. Her work is ever evolving as she continues to experiment with different techniques and finding joy in the art of playing with clay.

JANICE C. ALDEN

Warwick, MA

Janice has been a maker of many things throughout her life, but beading is her passion. Each piece of jewelry is handstitched bead by bead. She enjoys the process of choosing different shapes and colors and combinations, creating ombre effects, three-dimensional shapes and embellishing them.

LIST OF FORMER GALLERY ARTISTS

HOW IT WORKS...

1. Rent space monthly at $20 per linear foot

(Side to side -2.5' Minimum)

2. Sell your work and keep 80%.

3. The other 20% of your sales goes back into the gallery for events, marketing you as an artist and other artist-forward opportunities.

YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR SUCCESS!

Artists are reviewed and selected by a community panel on a quarterly basis. We welcome painting/drawing, digital, ceramics, mixed media, fiber/leather, photography, jewelry, sculpture, metal/wood, more!

GALLERY ARTIST APPLICATION

THE FRONT WINDOW GALLERY

The Front Window Gallery is a flexible exhibit space within the Local Art Gallery featuring rotating installations that may be curated by the Gallery Team, guest curators, neighbors, or local business owners. If you have an idea for an exhibit, please fill out the application form below.

Currently Featuring

Winter Workshop

a public art exhibit to benefit Amherst Survival Center

The Mill District General Store and Local Art Gallery is excited to offer an interactive public art installation to the community. From mid-November through January, the public is invited to experience "Winter Workshop", an installation made entirely out of cardboard that depicts a workshop in the hills of western Massachusetts. Visitors of all ages are invited to contribute their own family-friendly inspired creations to the exhibit, using the supplied materials at the Local Art Gallery Table.

The template was constructed by The Mill District General Store and Local Art Gallery team and community volunteers, including artists Suzanne DiSessa and Gretchen Holesovsky. The Plastic Bag Store, a touring, immersive installation by Robin Frohardt, was the inspiration for Winter Workshop.

The public is invited to create and install family-friendly elements to the installation now through the end of January. All materials provided.

This is a FREE, drop-in event during store hours EXCEPT Sunday afternoon from 12 -4pm. Donations are accepted for Amherst Survival Center or you may donate directly to Amherst Survival Center HERE.

Children 14 and under must be actively supervised in the Gallery at all times. Please be advised that scissors and instruments with sharp edges are easily accessible for public use.

Amherst Survival Center's Website

Apply to Exhibit in The Front Window Gallery

The Front Window Galler

Fall Art Classes & More in Amherst, MA!

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Make the Gallery your Sunday Spot with Sunday Art Space!

9 AM - 12 PM

The Gallery table is open for you to sit and create. Bring your supplies from home, or grab new items from our terrific art section.

1 PM - 3 PM

The Gallery hosts a different artist, leading an activity or just holding space for your creative exploration.

The space is welcoming of all ages; kids under 14 must have an adult in the area.

No purchase necessary...however, art supplies are 10% off ALL DAY SUNDAYS

See Classes & Events

Join us at our Artist Social and Critique on the 2nd Thursday of every month from 6 - 8pm.
Artists of all abilities and mediums are welcome to bring 1-2 pieces of artwork or images of artwork for peer critique. This is not art school! Help us create a safe community space by providing constructive and supportive feedback. Let's boost each other up and encourage our artistic growth.

Hosted by Nayana Lafond.
Free.
Ages 14+ with adult accompaniment.

See Classes & Events

Apply for 2025 Market

View Gallery from 2024

Vending Information

Queer Artisan Market

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Apply for our Market

Past Markets Gallery

HOLIDAY ARTS MARKET

Over 1000+ Art Supplies...

are available in The Mill District General Store's art supply section. We are constantly looking for new products to help you create. Let us know about art supply products you may like to see in our store below.

We can special order!

Looking for something in particular? In bulk? Let us quote your next project or studio re-stock!

91 COWLS ROAD NORTH AMHERST, MA

YOUR LOCAL ART GALLERY

CURRENT ARTISTS

HOW IT WORKS...

YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR SUCCESS!

THE FRONT WINDOW GALLERY

Fall Art Classes & More in Amherst, MA!

Over 1000+ Art Supplies...

We can special order!

The Mill District
General Store

Hours & Location

LOCAL ART
GALLERY

Learn More...