Amanda Hartlage is an artist and educator born and raised in North Adams. Her preferred medium is punch needle embroidery. Punch needle is an American rug making craft dating back to the 1800s. It has now evolved into a fine art embroidery. She is most interested in exploring the fundamental interconnectedness of humanity through the many strands and layers of fiber, which come together as a whole. Her art is free form and abstract as energy itself. She balances this energy and entropy by varying bright and neutral hues of thread. Each piece is its own energetic suggestion and revelation.