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STORIES: August 21 – Sept 30, 2021

An Exhibit of Four Storytelling Artists' New Works

"When you’re speaking in the truest, most intimate voice about your life, you are speaking with the universal voice." ~ Cheryl Strayed

Please join us on August 21st from 10 to 4, to meet the four Helena artists featured in STORIES. Each of thes artists is a storyteller and an optimist. Each is a magical being who uses narrative in her art, to tell about the human condition through humor, strength, story and beauty. Each speaks through art-making, in a true voice and therefore a universal voice. We invite you to spend time viewing these stories during the exhibit, and hope that you will bring their meaningful ideas into your own lives and homes. 

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Chip Clawson Solo Window Artist This Month

Chip Clawson, long time resident of Helena, Montana, is our Featured Window Artist this month!

We are absolutely delighted to give our Helena community an opportunity to see Chip Clawson's most recent work using a 3D printer, in addition to his decorative outdoor ceramic planters. Chip has installed a gorgeous, colorful exhibit in our large front window. The solo exhibit is available to view 24 hours a day - seven days a week, and all of Clawson's artworks are for sale in our online store or in person. Make sure to check out his artwork as you stroll downtown, and come in during gallery hours to see them up close and personal. I you miss the window exhibit, Chip's artwork will continue to be available through our Online Gallery Store until June 30, 2021.

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New Works by Betsey Hurd & Dan McArdle

New Works by painter/sculptor Betsey Hurd and wood carver, Dan McArdle, will be on display at 1+1=1 Gallery from Oct 19 through Nov 9, 2019. Stop by the gallery during the Fall Art Walk Nov. 8 from 5 to 9pm. Demos and Refreshments.

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Artists in TWO, Aug 21 – Sept 14

Featured Artists’ in TWO Aug 21 – Sep 14, 2019

Nancy Goughnour and Maureen Cole 

 

This month we are featuring Nancy Goughnour and Maureen Cole in GalleryTWO. Both are Helena artists who have been showing at 1+1=1 Gallery for years.

See Goughnour’s and Cole’s solo shows anytime we are open Tuesday through Saturday Aug 21 – Sep 14, while the shows are up! And, join us on the last day of the shows to celebrate.*

*We invite you to join us on September 14 from 11 to 4pm (just drop in anytime) for an Open House at 1+1=1 Gallery. Here’s your chance to meet and talk with our TWO artists, in a friendly — warm — and informal atmosphere. Maureen Cole will do a demo showing some of the methods she uses for her tiny houses. Nancy Goughnour will be demonstrating her figurative sculpting techniques. Both artists are eager to talk with visitors about their inspirations and their artwork.

Come on downtown Saturday, Sept 14, anytime between 11 and 4

Join us for goodies and beverages during our Open House. Brunch, Mimosas and Grazing Boards for everyone! Coffee and tea will also be served with a big friendly smile.

Family friendly

Bring your kids. Come meet our gallery dog, Shadow! Call 406-431-9931 for more information.

 

TWO is a new concept for 1+1=1 this year.

Changes at 1+1=1 Gallery

In early 2019, we renamed part of our Back Gallery and made it a place to celebrate and shine a spotlight on just two of our represented artists at a time. The space is now called “TWO.” Every artist we represent will have a chance to prominently show a body of their work once a year with a reception or open house. We’re very excited about this change to how we introduce you to our artists and their newest fabulous artwork. In addition to TWO, the other part of our Back Gallery continues to show a sampling of work by many of the artists represented by and associated with 1+1=1. Come in as often as you wish — you are likely to find new artworks every time you stop by.

 

Featured Artists’ in TWO Aug 21 – Sep 14, 2019

Nancy Goughnour and Maureen Cole

This month we are featuring Nancy Goughnour and Maureen Cole in GalleryTWO. Both are Helena artists who have been showing at 1+1=1 Gallery for years.

See Goughnour’s and Cole’s solo shows anytime we are open Tuesday through Saturday Aug 21 – Sep 14, while the shows are up! And, join us on the last day of the shows to celebrate.*

*We invite you to join us on September 14 from 11 to 4pm (just drop in anytime) for an Open House at 1+1=1 Gallery. Here’s your chance to meet and talk with our TWO artists, in a friendly — warm — and informal atmosphere. Maureen Cole will do a demo showing some of the methods she uses for her tiny houses. Nancy Goughnour will be demonstrating her figurative sculpting techniques. Both artists are eager to talk with visitors about their inspirations and their artwork.

Come on downtown Saturday, Sept 14, anytime between 11 and 4

Join us for goodies and beverages during our Open House. Brunch, Mimosas and Grazing Boards for everyone! Coffee and tea will also be served with a big friendly smile.

Family friendly

Bring your kids. Come meet Nancy, Maureen and Shadow! Call 406-431-9931 for more information.

 

TWO is a new concept for 1+1=1 this year.

Changes at 1+1=1 Gallery

In early 2019, we renamed part of our Back Gallery and made it a place to celebrate and shine a spotlight on just two of our represented artists at a time. The space is now called “TWO.” Every artist we represent will have a chance to prominently show a body of their work once a year with a reception or open house. We’re very excited about this change to how we introduce you to our artists and their newest fabulous artwork. In addition to TWO, the other part of our Back Gallery continues to show a sampling of work by many of the artists represented by and associated with 1+1=1. Come in as often as you wish — you are likely to find new artworks every time you stop by.

 

Electric Bluebirds

Susan Mattson’s pair of bluebirds pull at my heart. After being around these evocative sculptures at the gallery for a few weeks (they are part of our summer sculpture exhibit) I wanted to learn more about bluebirds.

I came across a website all about bluebirds and I learned some things. Best was why we go all goofy about bluebirds. An excerpt: “Their song is enchanting. The velvety undertones are “…so soft and gentle; they sing to no one save themselves. Not loud and boastful like the mocker; not full of chatter like the purple martin. The bluebird song is a kind and personal “I love you” that one must be close and quiet to hear.” (Kenny Kleinpeter) Clyde Todd (1940) said their song, “…like the gentle murmur of a flowing brook in soothing cadence, awakens a sense of well-being and content in each responsive listener.”

Listen:

While the continued existence of bluebirds is threatened by human activities (pesticides, loss of open space) they are positively impacted by our conservation efforts.

Look closely at the bases of Susan’s Electric Bluebirds … a mass of humanity. Yep. That’s us. What is our connection to Nature? To these melodious beautiful beings? To the rest of our natural world? Do we appreciate or take for granted?

More of Susan Mattson’s thought-provoking ceramic art:

 

Susan Mattson is represented in Montana by 1+1=1 Gallery. Shop our online catalog for Susan’s sculptures and let us know if you’d like to live with her sculpture. We’ll make it happen!

SCULPTURE: Inside, Around and Between Ideas

 

“SCULPTURE: Inside, Around and Between Ideas” starts June 29th with an opening reception

Our next show opens June 29th and runs through July 28th. It’s a short exhibit but long on diversity and depth. We asked five Helena artists, as well as an artist from Wyoming and a California artist, to contribute a body of sculptural works to this show. These seven artists explore volume, space and ideas using clay, bronze, wood and mixed-media. And whoah – are we excited to see what’s been coming in!

Artists include:

• Mary Jane Edwards, Sheridan, WY
• Nancy Goughnour, Helena, MT
• Paul Guillemette, Los Angeles, CA
• Betsey Hurd, Helena, MT
• Susan Mattson, Helena, MT
• George McCauley, Helena, MT
• Trudy Skari, Helena, MT

Think Sculpture is Just for Tables and Shelves?

Our 2018 Sculpture show promises to astound and delight you with pieces for your walls, floors, ceilings, shelves or tables. Whether you have a small wall space, a coffee table, hearth, mantle, side tables or shelves in need of a statement piece or a tender, quieter piece, we will have something for everyone. Paul Guillemette’s pieces are free-standing, wall-mounted or hanging from the ceiling. Nancy Goughnour again delights us with all-new wall figures of strong bold women. Trudy Skari’s latest free-standing and wall pieces take her bemusing foxes, bears and rabbits to another level of accomplishment. Mary Jane Edwards’s body of 12 “Caged Memories” provoke thought and curiosity. New polymorphic fabulism figures by Betsey Hurd join her masterful bronze equine sculptures.

A few sneak peeks at some of the artwork in this show:

 

Paul Guillemette
Mary Jane Edwards
Mary Jane Edwards
Mary Jane Edwards
Betsey Hurd
George McCauley
George McCauley
George McCauley
Nancy Goughnour
Nancy Goughnour
Nancy Goughnour
Nancy Goughnour
Paul Guillemette
Paul Guillemette
Susan Mattson
Susan Mattson
Susan Mattson
Susan Mattson
Susan Mattson
Susan Mattson
Susan Mattson
Trudy Skari
Trudy Skari
Betsey Hurd
Betsey Hurd
Betsey Hurd
Betsey Hurd
Betsey Hurd
Betsey Hurd
Betsey Hurd

Here’s where you can subscribe to our “love notes” to get updates on events and invitations to our opening receptions for new exhibits. (We promise not to spam you or share your private info with anyone — ever.)

 

 

Susan Mattson an art activist

Susan Mattson is perhaps the most considerate person I have met. She deeply considers the ways in which various pieces of the world, herself included, influence and impact each other. Through her sculptures, Susan works out unresolved issues; both interior and exterior. While sculpting and carving, she allows her mind wander freely, reminiscing and following the flow of memories, regrets, projections, relationships.

 

Originally from Bozeman, Montana, Susan has traveled the world, taking a solo bike tour across the country at the age of 25. Every experience she has had, every place she has been, is still very alive within her.  The past is carved into her psyche in a powerful way. She is a vessel of lessons.

Susan carries out her intentions through action. She remodeled a house in Butte to rescue it from demolition. She uses the pulp from her fresh juices to bake scones, because, even pulp can be useful. She works in mental health. Every decision Susan makes is preceded by the question, “what would happen if every person on the planet did this?”

She is a steady and humble activist; her art is a demonstration of her deeply held beliefs.  But, she also has a goofy side.  Let’s just say she’s spent a decent amount of time on testing the limits of the face-swapping app.

Driven by curiosity, Susan researches her subjects exhaustively which translates into unparalleled originality in her pieces. For example, her current piece, Nacho Scapegoat, led her on a quest to discover how goats have taken on the burdens of humans throughout history in many, many ways. Susan never just randomly selects a subject, they all have a story behind them, they are thickly layered with meaning.

Susan Mattson

Susan is pretty much the MacGyver of art galleries. She’ll improve mopping methods, solve temperature and lighting issues with nothing but a bed sheet and a clothespin and conquer mounting dilemmas in the craftiest of ways.

Something to keep in mind when experiencing Susan’s work: every face is made separately with tiny ceramic and dental tools, then pressed onto the body of the sculpture. This requires massive focus, determination, and patience; every sculpture takes many, many hours.

So, come.  Plant yourself in front of one of Susan’s sculptures. Let it speak to you. Let it lead you down new path, or remind you of another time. Open up, lean in, listen.

 

Current Exhibit – From Earth

Tidepool Bowl by Trudy Skari
FROM EARTH: Clay & Pigment

 

Our next exhibit opens Friday, August 18th and of course, we invite you to join us for an opening night reception from 5 to 8pm. Three ceramic artists join one of our favorite painters with all new works in clay and acrylic paint. All four of these artists have been with us since our first year and we are proud to exhibit their newest work!

With diverse mediums, techniques and styles, the exhibit is curated to connect us with the source of our creative vision – our Earth.

Featured artists are Andrea Cross Guns, Gregg Edelen, Trudy Skari and Susan Mattson. Please join us during the reception to meet the artists and hear brief gallery talks between 5:30 and 6pm. Wine and appetizers will be served after the talks.

Come at 5pm if you have your eye on something and want first dibs! (We will update the website with photos of some of the artworks as we receive them. Contact us if you see something you want.)

Andrea Cross Guns has been working hard in her studio painting into the wee hours. Her background as a teacher, poet, musician and composer play beautifully into the evolution of her newest paintings. I cannot wait to hang this show because it’s been awhile since we’d had new paintings by Andrea. Our walls will be vibrating with expressive color — I’m so excited!

Gregg Edelen will have all-new atmospheric kiln pottery, including some fabulous naked-raku vessels in the exhibit. We have  gorgeous new serving platters, yunomi cups, tea bowls, tumblers, whiskey shots and mugs by Gregg. Tim Carney will have a few traditional Japanese tomobaku boxes available for Gregg’s yunomi’s and tea bowls. You have to see how the cups look in a tomobaku — they make wonderful gifts!

Susan Mattson’s latest work is a further development of her sought-after vessels with torsos or animal heads on top. As she makes the vessels, she forms hundreds of faces on the outside, each feature individually marked with clay tools, and each face the result of a meditative, transformative personal process. The energy she embues in her sculptures is palpable, remarkable and often unanticipated.

Trudy Skari continues to take her ceramic sculptures in new directions and has been branching out into both functional and non-functional sculptural pottery. Trudy has recently begun working with more texture, and will be showing some sculptural platters and bowls reminiscent of tide pools, the forest floor and sumptuous gardens. You will be surprised and delighted to see Trudy’s newest artwork, as well as some of your favorite, expressive Trudy-heads and small sculptures.

Trudy Skari
Trudy Skari
Trudy Skari
Trudy Skari
Trudy Skari
Trudy Skari
Trudy Skari
Trudy Skari
Gregg Edelen
Susan Mattson
Susan Mattson
Susan Mattson
Susan Mattson
Susan Mattson
Susan Mattson
Susan Mattson
Susan Mattson
Andrea Cross Guns
Elements of Earth used by the four artists are the common thread in this exhibit.
Clays used for ceramic sculpture or functional pottery come from the Earth, and are transformed by Fire — from something resembling skin, leather, powder and milk — to a durable substance like stone or hard dry river banks.
Clay fields are shaped by water and the sun, cracking over time into surfaces of mystery and fascination. Artists shape clay with hands and tools, with water, fire and pigments into objects of beauty, sensuality and function.
Painters move pigment around on their surface of choice with brushes, knives and fingers. Their pigments made from earth: diatoms, carbon, cadmium, copper, china clay, iron oxide and other minerals and these days, pigments synthesized from minerals like petroleum. Some pigments include clay: China clay, viridian, umber and sienna.
As you look around at the artwork in this exhibit, consider how each artist utilizes earth elements to express their unique voice and take on life.

St. Francis and the Bird

St. Francis Detail by Nancy Goughnour

Nancy Goughnour, sculptor and ceramic artist, recently completed a stunning sculpture depicting St. Francis of Assisi leaning over talking with (or listening to) a tiny bird. The sculpture stands about 12 inches high and 11 inches long. It is ceramic with a bronze patina.

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