Established 1977
Exhibitions
Exhibition opening receptions are open to all, with free admission and refreshments. By appointment viewings may be scheduled outside of regular gallery hours.
Sophia Metcalf
Opening Reception July 5 | 12 - 4 pm
Viewing through July 13
We are pleased to welcome Sophia, the Southbridge High School Unified Arts Honors Award Recipient for Visual Arts. She’s been exploring art avenues for just a few years, and currently works in any media which takes her fancy. Her discovery of refuge in art reflects the wrestling match everyone has experienced to some degree in the post-COVID social world. We can all relate in some fashion.
Sophia tells us, “It was my yearning for some sort of belonging after COVID had hit, that whole time made my social anxiety 1,000 times worse than it was, making finding my own niche of people very difficult. Art was just something that had no limits to what you could create, and I found that amazing. Ever since then, art has just been a big part of my life.”
© Sophia Metcalf
Martha Moore's Life and Art
Opening Reception July 19 | 12 - 4 pm
Viewing through July 26
For many years, Martha owned her own business, Moore Garden and Landscape, creating countless gardens and planting trees; her small two-to-three person crews were often all women.
A gifted fiber and textile artist, Martha made her own wedding gown, including the lacework. She was a prolific knitter, always working with natural fibers, and often starting with raw wool to hand wash, card, spin, and dye, before creating exquisite sweaters, hats, shawls, and slippers. She also made whimsical, handstitched quilts.
Martha was a charter member of the Ruth Wells Center for the Arts; she taught classes here and at the Hitchcock Free Academy in Brimfield. She was also a member of the Southbridge Garden Club.
Whether you knew Martha or not, stop by and see an enchanting exhibit of her work, arranged with love by her children.
If you own a Martha Moore original, please bring it to be photographed! Limited items will be on sale.
John Polakowski and Billy Bolster
Opening Reception August 2 | 12 - 4 pm
Viewing through August 23
Many of you will know them as the Kleen Guyz soapmakers, but they do other great stuff too.
John Polakowski paints in watercolor, oil and acrylic; the project dictates the medium. He enjoys the expressiveness of oils but will use acrylics if going for thick pallette knife texture.
“My introduction to painting was under the guidance of Clair Birtz, the art department head at Southbridge High School. Although I enjoyed the creative aspect, I did not pursue anything in that field until many years later. Around 2000 I got back into painting - my first class was in watercolor at the Worcester Night School program. Until 5 years ago I did most of my work in watercolor and acrylic. In 2020, while on vacation at the Cape, I took a class in plein air oil painting. My apprehension to paint in oil quickly abated and it is now my go to. My love of the ocean and specifically the Cape has been a prime motivation in my work. Subsequently, I’ve taken classes at the Cape Cod School of Art, The Provincetown Art Association and Museum, and the Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill.
"I have shown pieces in these locations as well as the Falmouth Art Center, Ruth Wells Center for the Arts, JEL library in Southbridge, Pearle L. Crawford Library in Dudley and the Charlton Public Library. I’d like folks to see the diversity of life through my work. I’d like people to think, 'Gee this guy’s had fun and experienced so much love that he wants to share it with everybody.’ I’d like you to love life, and enjoy the show."
Billy Bolster weaves primarily in merino wool and baby alpaca. He likes the feel of these yarns, the warmth they provide, and the sheen and softness of silk. He is starting to work more in cotton and linen in order to broaden the functionality of his pieces.
After a lifetime of admiring and collecting classical art, Billy Bolster recently discovered his love for all things fiber. In 2024, he visited the Samuel Slater Experience in Webster. There he met Sharon Geyer, a weaver and instructor who has guided him in his work. Billy is fascinated with the concept of making yarns out of raw wool, silk, and flax fibers. He views spinning as an underappreciated skill. The creative dyes of the yarns in Billy’s pieces further enhance the mystique of both these ancient crafts.
In using high quality yarns, Billy hopes to showcase the influence of other craftspeople in his work. His pieces are inspired by his husband John’s paintings, his heritage, the personality of the wearer, and Mother Nature.
“Provincelands”, ©John Palokowski
Woven Throw, ©Billy Bolster