Paintings by Gillian Haven

An exhibition of paintings by local artist Gillian Haven is now on view at the Amherst Town Hall Gallery. The artist will be honored at a reception on September 27th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served, and the Amehrst Autoharp Workshop will provide musical accompaniment.

 

Gillian Haven is a prolific painter of the Pioneer Valley's landscapes, natural landmarks, and rural scenes. Her art is both a personal meditation on the places depicted and a celebration of the place we inhabit.

 

The Gallery is on Amherst Town Hall's first and second floors, 4 Boltwood Avenue. The exhibition runs through October 31st.

 

Artist Statement

We live in a shifting world, each of us stitching together our life story from fleeting moments of illumination and grace. Through the practice of painting I consider this journey.

A native of Amherst, I lived in other regions for roughly twenty years but my roots were always here. I was drawn back to the silent companionship of hills, the surprise and elation of water, the clouds that lift, unexpected openings, the sight of livestock in a field.

To paint is to pay attention to a place.  Painting it, I ponder a relationship that I have taken for granted.  The gestures of geography are iconic.  I seek to find the landmarks of the region that provide for me a touchstone amidst change. They have a story and continued relevance that we must not lose.