In the small street-facing gallery window this month is a two-person show by Caroline Davis and Sandi Bransford, both from the Puget Sound in Washington state. Davis brings considerable skill and creativity to her metalsmithing, creating elegant yet affordable and unique jewelry. Bransford uses ceramic, natural objects, paints and patinas to achieve her organic textural figures. Read more about these two artists and see their new work. See something you like while you're strolling by at 11pm or before downtown wakes up? Just scan the QR code in the window and grab it before it's gone!
We invite you to find the perfect gifts this holiday season at 1+1=1 Gallery's 7th Annual Exhibit of Art under $300! Everything in the gallery is perfect for gift-giving, whether you are looking for a piece of artist made jewelry or a watercolor painting .... a wind chime or a tiny sculpture. We have functional art and purely philosophical art. Decor for your home, your office OR your home-office.
Shopping is easy this year!
Come downtown to support local, small businesses. Or, shop from the comfort of your own home (and jammies) by going to our Brand New Online Gallery Store beginning Saturday morning, November 28th. Check back here at 1plus1is1.com for a link to the online store when we go live Saturday morning.
So have we. Trudy has been showing foxes and other ceramic creatures at 1+1=1 Gallery since we opened 7 years ago. Hundreds of Montana art-lovers have adopted at least one of her exquisite playful creatures. Trudy has honed her spontaneous, intuitive sculpting process over the years, exploring the characteristics and behavior of these curious canine relatives. Her poetic titles give a glimpse into Trudy's mind and provide a philosophical touch to her whimsical pieces.
Announcing Our 2020 Art of Wood Exhibit
Featuring new works by three Montana artists: woodcarver Dan McArdle, woodturner Boyd Carson and woodworker Tim Carney. The exhibit runs from October 17 through November 21, 2020. Come down to the gallery at 434 North Last Chance Gulch anytime during business hours. Wed-Fri 11 to 5p and Sat 10 to 3p.
Please join us for a free all-day Open House on Saturday October 17th, from 10 am to 4pm. Social distancing will most def happen! Weather permitting, we’ll have tables and chairs set up outside to visit with the artists and enjoy some refreshments … Come on down and enjoy the art of Tim Carney, Boyd Carson and Dan McArdle.
During the first year of the pandemic, we reduced the size of our gallery exhibit floor to about two thirds the size it was during the first 7 years as a fine art gallery. We added a new classroom in the back portion of the gallery (anytime you stop by, feel free to peek into the classroom) and we transitioned the front windows of the gallery into two smaller exhibitions for one or two artists at a time. These window exhibitions rotate about every 3 to 4 weeks, face the street and are available for viewing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! This is something we decided to do for our community, to extend the gallery outside of our physical walls, and make artwork in a wide range of prices available for all to see, appreciate and buy. We are also happy to take you downstairs into what we can "Grandma's Basement" where you can browse through our art storage area to discover "hidden" art treasures not exhibited up on the gallery floor. Just ask us!
This weekend we opened our best-of-the-collection exhibit. In the past, we've called these shows "Best of 1+1=1" or "Hand Plucked" (an exhibit chosen by community members.) Hand Plucked was so successful we planned to have another Hand Plucked this spring. However, Covid-19 got in the way. It was impossible to gather community members for an evening of "plucking" while non-essential businesses were shut down, so... we changed course.
I plucked.
My inspiration for the theme of this exhibit comes from the many gallery visitors who tell us they particularly notice how our exhibits are hung with a flow that draws them in, helps them understand the artworks, and gives them new insight into a piece they may have seen before. They tell us we are good at "arranging" our exhibits. We are delighted to know that the hard work of organizing many diverse artworks into a cohesive whole is recognized and appreciated.
Please join us for an opening on Friday evening, Aug 9th from 5 to 8pm. Our openings are fun opportunities to meet the artists and hear about their inspirations, motivations and methods. We’ll serve beer, wine, cold beverages and lots of delicious appetizers and desserts.
COMPANION features the work of four contemporary artists working in a range of mediums, the exhibit encourages viewers to consider their relationships with each other and the animals with whom we share our lives. Each artist has interpreted ‘companion’ in her own way, and we think the resulting exhibit is powerful, thought-provoking and fascinating.
** Seattle printmaker Dawn Endean, states that she is drawn to dogs’ vulnerability – to how “dependent they are on the luck of the draw. They accept their lot; often with joy, loyalty and sweetness… and give back a hundred fold.” Her emotional images are made with intricate layering of intaglio plates, monoprinting and collage.
** Dara Daniel of northern California, looks back through history at our human capacity to connect with animals, particularly horses, who have been companions, escorts, guides and even counterparts to their human friends. She paints horses because their souls are beautiful to look at while expressing excitement, joy and spirit.
** With her distinctive voice, Susan Mattson has expressed for years, the close connection between human and non-human beings. Her sculptural clay vessels often depict animals with bodies covered by a mass human faces. Are we separate or are we life-companions? How do our actions affect every other being on this planet? Can we learn from our companions? Who is in charge?
** We are sharing our journey of life on Earth with uncountable species. Betsey Hurd believes, as do many indigenous peoples of Earth, that we are all one. No separation of species. Where does one of us end and another begin? What exactly is our connection? Hurd’s polymorphic fabulism pieces are about the integration of species. And … as a horse-woman and experienced artist, Betsey’s horse-beings are often the subject of her ceramic sculptures, along with other beings like deer, dogs, cats, bison and birds.
COMPANION runs through September 14th. Stop by 1+1=1 Gallery anytime we’re open and see the show in person!
All artworks featured in COMPANION will be available through our online exhibit catalog beginning the weekend after the show opens. Watch for a link at the top of our home page here, or to make sure you don’t miss it, subscribe to our love notes and we will send you a link in an email that week.
All artworks featured in WORKS ON PAPER will be available through our online exhibit catalog beginning the weekend after the show opens. Watch for a link at the top of our home page here, or to make sure you don’t miss it, subscribe to our love notes and we will send you a link in an email that week.
Here’s the magic button to subscribe to our “love notes!” 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.
BODY 2019: our Fourth Annual Art Jewelry and Figurative Art Exhibit
Opening night of our BODY III on May 10th, was a smashing success. Check out our photos of the reception and plan to make it to our next opening reception on June 21st!
Opening Night or Quiet Gallery Day?
Do you like parties and groups? As always, if you like to be social and surrounded by friends new and old … if you like a good party with great food, wine and other beverages, and stimulating conversation … if you like to be part of the buzz and happenings of downtown Helena, then our opening receptions are a perfect way to spend a Friday evening. We greet everyone with equal enthusiasm and consider you to be part of the 1+1=1 family. Save the date – June 21st – for another fabulous opening party!
Or do you like quiet days better? If you are more of a calm-afternoon art lover … someone who likes to take your time viewing art in a peaceful yet visually energetic atmosphere … if you want to look at each artwork closely and carefully … if you like to browse art exhibits in the middle of the week or a lazy Saturday afternoon, then 1+1-1 Gallery is the perfect place to be. Come on in and find something wonderful, original and evocative next time you are in our neighborhood. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and good conversation (or peace and quiet) anytime.
Here’s our album of photos from May 10th:
Paul Guillemette’s jewelry is made of wood, resin and found objects
Dave Barnes, an experienced master of jewelry smithing
It’s just fun
Leslie, one of our fab jewelry models
Andrea Gomez looking stunning
Dave Barnes
Clare Clum
Exploring our Wall of Cups
Andrea was one of our fabulous jewelry models for the opening
Grace Snyder, half of the Amazing Graces, on cello
SarahJess Swann’s jewelry
Judy Kline, local queen of cool
Conversations …
Do you receive our postcards in the mail?
Bonnie Lambert, Helena artist extraordinaire
Sign up to receive our postcards before each exhibit
Careful examination of the artful jewelry
SarahJess Swann’s art is as brilliant as her smile
Outside the gallery in the evening
Our gallery windows are always interesting … and sometimes provocative
Strolling through the show
Let’s find the right ones for you
Clare in conversation
Elizabeth Bass (right) with Bonnie Lambert and other gallery visitors
Paintings by Elizabeth BAss
Joyce Coolidge encaustic paintings
Looking closely at Linda McCray’s brilliant paintings
Moms and Dads: bring the family. Start them early as art lovers
Sometimes it takes a few visits to decide to take a piece home …
Our sommelier, Victor
Pam and Maureen
A wall of figurative art and art jewelry
Live music at our openings
Whoah what a crowd!
I love art-dates! Here’s a grandmother and her grand daughter.
Linda McCray in front of her solo show
Showing off the jewelry I am modeling during the opening
Judy and friends around Tim Carney’s bistro table and stools.
“BODY 2019″ opens May 10th with a fabulous & elegant opening reception
Models wearing the art … live music by the Amazing Graces … wine and appetizers … and most importantly, fabulous art jewelry (think Mother’s Day gifts) and figurative paintings and sculpture.
Opening night is May 10th and the exhibit runs through June 15th.
Please join us Friday evening, May 10. Be the first to see and try on some of the art! We have incredible new jewelry pieces by Lori Blaylock, Bonnie Lambert, Paul Guillemette, SarahJess Swann, Judy Kline, Pyper Hugos and Dave Barnes. We introduce jewelry artists new to us: Clare Clum, Ken Bova and Beth Gregory. And we welcome back sculptor, Nancy Goughnour and painter, Elizabeth Hughes Bass with their works on the walls of the gallery.
Wear something elegant and/or simple to show off the jewelry as you try it on. Let us help you find the perfect pair of earrings, a ring or necklace for the mother(s) in your life. Indulge yourself and add to your art collection with a new oil painting or sensual clay wall sculpture.
What: new exhibit, “BODY 2019” — our fourth annual Art Jewelry and Figurative Art Show
When: Friday May 10 from 5 to 8pm
Where: 1+1=1 Gallery is located at 434 North Last Chance Gulch in Helena, Montana.
Who: Because we must observe occupancy laws, during the Spring Art Walk, we will be limiting the number of visitors inside the gallery at any given time. If the gallery is too full when you come by, please visit the other shops in the 400 block and come back in a bit. Without huge crowds in the gallery, you will be able to view and enjoy the art much better. Thanks for understanding.
More Info: Call the gallery 406.431.9931 or email us
Artists include:
• dave barnes . helena mt
• lori blaylock . billings mt
•ken bova . greenville nc
• nancy goughnour . helena mt
• beth gregory . Bozeman mt
• paul guillemette . los angeles ca
• elizabeth hughes bass . butte mt
• pyper hugos & Jarrod Eastman . bozeman mt
• judy kline . helena mt
• bonnie lambert . helena mt
• sarahjess swann . bozeman mt
Our online catalog for BODY 2019 goes live on May 15th!
All artworks featured in BODY III will be available through our online exhibit catalog beginning the week after the show opens. Watch for a link at the top of our home page here, or to make sure you don’t miss it, subscribe to our love notes and we will send you a link in an email that week.
Here’s the magic button to subscribe to our “love notes!” 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.
