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FOREST STREAM PRAIRIE 2016: featuring new work by Dan McArdle & Maureen Shaughnessy

Mounting an exhibit takes us a couple of days. We take down the previous exhibit and pack up pieces that have sold. Unsold pieces go into our art storage downstairs. Then we patch holes in the walls, re-paint walls and pedestals and clean up. Next comes arranging the new artwork, hanging it, setting out pedestals and sculptures … then lighting, labels, window decor and many other tasks. Whew!

Gallery window

Gallery Talk and Artist Demo

Pre-Opening Quiet: When we are done hanging and lighting the show, I like to take photos of the whole exhibit before the crowd comes. It’s quiet and I’m always really pleased with the new art and new arrangement.

Opening night was a blast! An appreciative crowd. Excellent gallery talks by the artists and a fabulous reception. Great way to spend a Friday evening in downtown Helena.

We are always so grateful for all the folks who attend the openings, listen to the talks and celebrate the artists with us on opening night. We also love seeing you any day we’re open. Sometimes a quiet afternoon at the gallery is the perfect time to really look deeply at the exhibits. Thank you for your support!

Our Back Gallery features artworks by artists we represent, including:

Peter Shaughnessy, Jean Albus, Trudy Skari, Patty Ceglio, Nancy Goughnour, Mary Beth Shaughnessy, Maureen Cole, Sarah Magar, Sam Briegel, Gregg Edelen, Elizabeth Hughes Bass, Andres Cross Guns, Tina Albro, John Andrew and Tim J. Carney.

Catching some time with friends in the studio behind the gallery

Thank you to everyone who came to our opening reception for the gallery talks and wine/sushi party afterwards. We had a full house and lots of fun. I am so glad my friends and gallery supporters had the opportunity to meet some of my creative siblings, my mom and my son, who painted the installation mural for me.

Peter Shaughnessy is an accomplished sculptor, home-builder and outdoorsman. He brought 12 exquisite wood sculptures from his home in Tatlyoko British Columbia, for this show. His wife, Roma, is an integral part of Peter’s art in many ways. Just seeing the way she carefully wrapped the sculptures for the trip to Montana, and seeing her bopping around taking photos impressed me!

Mary Beth Shaughnessy has been painting and drawing for many years, using her skills as an architect and artist interchangeably it seems. Her colorful acrylic paintings illustrate the relationship she cultivated with her children as they explored the natural world together. She tells stories through her art — the kind of stories we used to tell each other as children and parents and children pass along, about the trees, creeks, boulders, animals and other plants in the places we love.

Gabe Shaughnessy lives and works in Portland, Oregon — he spends about half his time writing design code for a large software company, and the other half in his art studio creating art and murals with Lumenal Code. Gabe helped me paint the mural for my installation, Mother Tree.

Mary, Peter and Roma Shaughnessy drove down from BC with our mother, Pat Shaughnessy who was our guest of honor at the opening. She and our dad, Ed, were the ones who started this, that’s for sure — and we were enormously glad to have her here!

And, of course, we couldn’t manage without Tim Carney, who makes the physical space happen, no matter what configuration Maureen comes up with. Thank you, Tim!

Whether you were able to come to opening night — or not — we invite you to enjoy these photos, and if you’re in town, stop by the gallery anytime between Tuesdays through Fridays, 11 to 6 pm or Saturdays/Sundays 11 to 5pm. We’re open Sundays just for the holidays.

I will add more pics as I get them uploaded. In the meantime, enjoy! And warm wishes at this time nearing Winter Solstice!