Susan Carr: ‘little tales’ Opening Reception: Saturday September 23rd, 1-5pm

Susan Carr, The meeting, 2023, oil on wood panel, 12 x 12 inches. Inquiries: julielabspace@gmail.com. Exhibition preview coming soon.

Susan Carr: little tales Opening Reception with the artist Saturday September 23 1-5pm

Hello friends, Susan Carr is back! Please join us for the Opening Reception of Susan Carr’s solo exhibition little tales on Saturday September 23rd, 1-5pm It will be a busy + beautiful day in the HV with tons of great events Sue will be here all day to say hello 👋 Huge thank you to Susan Carr for your phenomenal work! We can’t wait to share it with all of you See you SOON, XO Ellen + Julie

Susan Carr, Coming for ya! (Braces), 2023, oil on ceramic. Inquiries: julielabspace@gmail.com. Exhibition preview coming soon.

Susan Carr: little tales  Solo exhibition of paintings, sculpture and ceramics September 23-November 5, 2023 Saturdays + Sundays 1-5pm Opening Reception with the artist: Saturday September 23rd, 1-5pm

LABspace 2642 NY Route 23, Hillsdale NY 12529 Inquiries: julielabspace@gmail.com Full exhibition checklist coming soon

LABspace is located below Hillsdale General Store and Cook & Larder 17 miles east of Hudson NY • 17 miles north of Millerton NY • 11 miles west of Great Barrington MA LABspace was founded and directed by artist Susan Jennings 2014-2018. It has been the curatorial project of artists Ellen Letcher and Julie Torres since April 2018 We have recently celebrated our fifth year of programming since taking the reins, thanks to all of you and to SJ!

Elisa Soliven: Infinity Weight, August 5-September 10

Elisa Soliven, Reclining Torso, 2023, glazed ceramic, 12.5 x 12.5 x 17.25 inches. Inquiries: julielabspace@gmail.com.

Elisa Soliven: Infinity Weight Opening Reception with the Artist on Saturday August 5 1-5pm

Hello friends! Please join us on Saturday August 5th, 1-5pm for the opening reception of Elisa Soliven: Infinity Weight, a solo exhibition of ceramic vessels and busts, and oil pastel drawings Elisa Soliven will be here to meet you! Please also SAVE-THE-DATE for a conversation with Jason Andrew and Elisa Soliven in the LABspace courtyard on Sunday August 13th at 2pm We can’t wait— Thank you Elisa and Jason! Looking forward to seeing you here soon, XO Ellen + Julie

Elisa Soliven, Aster Fields Vessel, 2023, glazed ceramic, 19 x 15 x 7 inches. Inquiries: julielabspace@gmail.com.

Elisa Soliven: Infinity Weight solo exhibition of ceramic vessels and busts, and oil pastel drawings August 5-September 10, 2023 Saturdays + Sundays 1-5pm and by appt 🎉 Opening Reception with the artist: Saturday August 5th, 1-5pm 🎤 Jason Andrew and Elisa Soliven in conversation in the LABspace courtyard: Sunday August 13th at 2pm 🥂 Closing Reception with the artist: Sunday September 10th, 1-5pm Elisa Soliven: Infinity Weight in the Rural Intelligence Summer Arts Preview, by Susan Yung

LABspace 2642 NY Route 23, Hillsdale NY 12529 Inquiries: julielabspace@gmail.com 917-749-2857

LABspace is located below Hillsdale General Store, and Cook & Larder 17 miles east of Hudson NY • 17 miles north of Millerton NY • 11 miles west of Great Barrington MA LABspace was founded and directed by artist Susan Jennings 2014-2018, and has been the curatorial project of artists Ellen Letcher and Julie Torres since April 2018 We have recently celebrated our fifth year of programming since taking the reins, thanks to all of you and to SJ!

July 1-30: The Hills Have Eyes, Artists of Hillsdale + Neighbors

Linda Stillman, August Garden Scroll, 2002/2016, acrylic, gouache, pencil, colored pencil, ink, flower stain, scanned laser prints of dried plants, string, push pins on paper, 36 inches x 14 feet. Inquiries: julielabspace@gmail.com.

Join us 1-5pm Saturday July 1st for the Opening Reception of The Hills Have Eyes: Artists of Hillsdale + Neighbors 🥂

Hello friends! Please join us Saturday July 1st, 1-5pm for the Opening Reception of The Hills Have Eyes Come out to meet and celebrate the artists of Hillsdale, neighboring towns and environs: Les Baum, Martha Bone, Louis Brawley, Ian Wilson Clyde, Peter Bradley Cohen, Stuart Farmery, Jean Feinberg, Marianne Gagnier, Joan Grubin, GUZMAN, Sean Hutcheon, Susan Jennings, Erick Johnson, Jennifer Johnson, Suzi Matthews, James Menshenfriend, Rylan Morrison, Kristen Palazzo, Susan Petry, Liz Sample, Karin Schaefer, Kim Sloane, Joseph Stabilito, Linda Stillman, Guy Walker Saturday will be a super fun and busy day in the area, and we’ll have an open house all afternoon We look forward to seeing you soon! XO Ellen + Julie

Erick Johnson, Triple Infinity 1, 2023, oil on panel, 14 x 11 inches. Inquiries: julielabspace@gmail.com. Full exhibition checklist coming soon.

The Hills Have Eyes: Artists of Hillsdale + Neighbors Opening Reception with the artists Saturday July 1st, 1-5pm On view Saturdays + Sundays 1-5pm through July 30 Extended hours for Upstate Art Weekend: July 21-24th, 10am-6pm

LABspace 2642 NY Route 23, Hillsdale NY 12529 Inquiries: julielabspace@gmail.com Full exhibition checklist coming soon

The hills surrounding LABspace are inhabited by skilled artists and makers who are keen observers In the five years that we have been in Hillsdale, these exceptional artists have also looked out for and watched over us These are artists who are actively engaged with our programming, exhibitions and events These are friends and neighbors who have come to our aid when we’ve needed help Gallery life can be hectic. It really does take a village This exhibition will feature recent paintings, sculpture, ceramics, photography, fiber, installation, and organic work sourced from the natural environment We are thrilled for you to see the powerful artwork being made in our small hamlet, and within minutes of the gallery Please join us for this love letter to the artists of Hillsdale + our neighbors The hills are alive 🌱

LABspace is located below Hillsdale General Store, and Cook & Larder Down the road from Sylvan Motor Lodge and The Alander 17 miles east of Hudson NY • 17 miles north of Millerton NY • 11 miles west of Great Barrington MA LABspace was founded and directed by artist Susan Jennings 2014-2018, and has been the curatorial project of artists Ellen Letcher and Julie Torres since April 2018 We have recently celebrated our fifth year of programming since taking the reins, thanks to all of you and to SJ

Audrey Francis: Bird Brain Closing Party & Link to Stream Conversation with Jennifer Samet

Thank you Petey, Anna and Kristen for your super fun visit and this sweet photo! Audrey Francis: Bird Brain Closing Celebration is on Sunday June 25th, 1-5pm. Full exhibition checklist here. Inquiries: julielabspace@gmail.com.

Final Weekend to see Audrey Francis: Bird Brain Saturday + Sunday 1-5pm! — Closing Party with Audrey Sunday June 25th, 1-5pm 🎈 — Link to Audrey’s conversation with Jennifer Samet below

Hello friends, It’s the FINAL WEEKEND to see Audrey Francis’ solo exhibition Bird Brain! These stunning paintings and pastels must be seen in person Visit us Saturday + Sunday 1-5pm, and please JOIN US for a Closing Party with Audrey on Sunday June 25th, 1-5pm 🥂 Huge thank you to Audrey for the incredible work that she has made expressly for this exhibition over the past two years. We have been so proud and beyond honored to share it with all of you ❤️ Click below to hear Audrey’s talk with Jennifer Samet, recorded live at LABspace on June 4th! Thank you all and see you here very soon, XO Ellen + Julie

Click image to listen to Audrey Francis in conversation with Jennifer Samet, recorded live at LABspace on June 4th. Huge thank you to Audrey and Jennifer for this fascinating dive into the backstories and origins of the work on view! Stream it here.

Audrey Francis: Bird Brain  On view Saturday + Sunday 1-5pm through June 25th CLOSING PARTY with Audrey on Sunday June 25th, 1-5pm 🎉

LABspace 2642 NY Route 23, Hillsdale NY 12529 Inquiries: julielabspace@gmail.com Full exhibition checklist here

Thank you to Taliesin Thomas for this review of Audrey Francis: Bird Brain on Chronogram. Full exhibition checklist here. Inquiries: julielabspace@gmail.com

LABspace is located below Hillsdale General Store and Cook & Larder 17 miles east of Hudson NY • 17 miles north of Millerton NY • 11 miles west of Great Barrington MA LABspace was founded and directed by artist Susan Jennings 2014-2018, and has been the curatorial project of artists Ellen Letcher and Julie Torres since April 2018. We have just celebrated our fifth year of programming since taking the reins. HUGE THANKS TO ALL OF YOU and to SJ!

Audrey Francis: Bird Brain, May 6-June 25, 2023

Audrey Francis, Shh, 2022, oil on canvas, 22 x 30 inches. On view in Bird Brain, May 6-June 25. Exhibition preview coming soon. Inquiries: julielabspace@gmail.com

Audrey Francis: Bird Brain Saturday + Sunday 1-5pm Through June 25

Hello friends! We are thrilled to present Rhinebeck NY artist Audrey Francis’ first solo exhibition with LABspace Please join us in welcoming art historian, curator, and writer Jennifer Samet for an in-person Beer with a Painter conversation with Audrey Francis on Sunday June 4th at 2pm A selection of locally brewed craft beer will be provided for the occasion by Rare Form of Troy NY, and soft pretzels from Hillsdale’s Cook & Larder Please bring a chair or blanket and meet us in the LABspace courtyard for this fun afternoon of art, beer and conversation 🌱 Huge thanks to Jennifer, Audrey, Rare Form, and Cook & Larder! See you here soon, xo Ellen + Julie

Audrey Francis, Collateral, 2023, pastel on paper, 45.5 x 36 inches. On view in Bird Brain, May 6-June 25. Inquiries: julielabspace@gmail.com

Audrey Francis: Bird Brain May 6-June 25, 2023 Beer with a Painter conversation: Jennifer Samet speaks with Audrey Francis about her work on Sunday June 4th at 2pm in the LABspace courtyard On view Saturdays + Sundays 1-5pm and by appointment through June 25

LABspace 2642 NY Route 23, Hillsdale NY 12529 Inquiries: julielabspace@gmail.com

Audrey Francis, Look out, 2022, oil on canvas, 48 x 35 inches. On view in Bird Brain, May 6-June 25. Inquiries: julielabspace@gmail.com

Audrey Francis writes about her work in Bird Brain: My recent oil paintings and pastels depict a range of avian themes. Although I am not a birder, my son is, and that familial connection to nature engendered, in part, my obsession with birds and their attendant metaphors and symbolisms. I often place birds as significant figures in various social, political, and feminist narratives within my work. The roles they play include silent witnesses, surrogates embodying my views on global issues, and incarnations of my desire to physically and mentally free myself from world affairs. My process, especially with oil paint, is slow and painstaking and my thoughts can often outpace the speed of my brush. Sometimes narratives can spontaneously change course in a work in progress, and I see this as an opportunity to embrace unexpected transformations and connections between themes. My work can also be observational, providing pictorial space for detailed depictions of birds and other figures, as well as investigations into color, line, form, and movement. Whether my work leans toward narrative or observation, I always incorporate fashion, pattern, and the natural world as complementary grounding elements. Throughout my career as an artist, I have endeavored to paint what I know and what moves me. My recent work about birds conveys an authentic and personal experience of contemporary life through the mediation of one of the most expressive and symbolic members of the animal world.

Audrey Francis’ diverse practice includes painting, works on paper, collage, sculpture, and textile art. Thematically her work explores a range of social factors including gender, politics of the body, sexuality, ideas of beauty, and her Latina heritage. Narrative—combined with fashion, pattern, and nature—often drives her painterly, chromatically-rich works. Francis cites outsider/folk art, modern narrative figural work, and baroque portraiture as influences. Francis’ work has been featured in over fifty exhibitions nationally, and may be found in private and corporate collections worldwide including the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in New York. Recent exhibitions include Mountain High, Valley Low and The Magic Garden, both at LABspace; Infinite Uncertainty at Opalka Gallery in Albany NY; LatinX at The Howland Cultural Center in Beacon NY; Showcase at The Moviehouse in Millerton NY; and Vista Panoramico at Ann Street Gallery in Newburgh NY, where Ellen Letcher and Julie Torres were first introduced to Audrey Francis and her work by director and exhibition curator Virginia Walsh. Francis holds an MFA in Painting from SUNY New Paltz, and a BFA in Illustration from Syracuse University. She has taught painting at SUNY New Paltz and design at Dutchess Community College. She is the recipient of various awards and honors, most recently the Research and Creative Projects Award, SUNY; The Joan Mitchell Award Nomination; and the Barrett Art Center Award. Francis has been an artist in residence at the Nantucket Island School of Design & The Arts. She is based in New York’s Hudson Valley.

Jennifer Samet is a New York City-based art historian, curator, and writer who specializes in contemporary and post-war painting. She is a Director of Eric Firestone Gallery and a member of the faculty at the New York Studio School. She is the author of the column Beer with a Painter in Hyperallergic Weekend Edition. Thank you to Taliesin Thomas for this review of Audrey Francis: Bird Brain on Chronogram. Exhibition checklist here. Inquiries: julielabspace@gmail.com

LABspace is located below Hillsdale General Store and Cook & Larder Down the road from Sylvan Motor Lodge and The Alander 17 miles east of Hudson NY • 17 miles north of Millerton NY • 11 miles west of Great Barrington MA LABspace was founded and directed by artist Susan Jennings 2014-2018, and has been the curatorial project of artists Ellen Letcher and Julie Torres since April 2018.