Fall Northampton Directors’ Picks
The 220 artists who are accepted to participate in the Paradise City Arts Festival in Northampton on October 12, 13 & 14 are the “best-of-the-best” of America’s independent painters, sculptors, and craft makers from every corner of America. Each season, Paradise City introduces dozens of exciting new artists who will exhibit their work in the Northampton show for the first time.
We are pleased to welcome a fresh crop of brand-new exhibitors to the show. From those artists making their Paradise City Northampton debuts, we have selected four as our Directors’ Picks. Please welcome these four and dozens of new artists to Paradise City Northampton this fall!
Amanda and Peter Shangraw, the visionary couple behind Bergamot + Amor, have transformed their creative passions into a thriving, Vermont-based business that seamlessly blends craftsmanship with sustainability. Peter, drawing on his background in upholstery, and Amanda, a BFA graduate in Printmaking, specialize in creating unique leather goods that are celebrated for their exceptional quality and artistry. By using hides with natural markings, they honor the animals and minimize waste, turning imperfections into opportunities for innovation. Their vibrant, colorful patchwork creations are each a one-of-a-kind testament to their love for creativity.
The name Bergamot + Amor holds deep personal significance. “Bergamot” is inspired by Amanda’s favorite flower, Wild Bergamot, a native New England pollinator plant also known as Bee Balm. “Amor” is a cherished family name for Peter, symbolizing the love and care that infuse their work.
Their commitment to their craft goes hand in hand with a profound dedication to their community. The Shangraws have revitalized two abandoned buildings in downtown Williamstown, Vermont, where they now employ eight locals. Their contributions extend beyond their business, as they donate over $30,000 annually to support local families and community projects. Each piece they create is more than just a fashion statement—it’s a reflection of their deep connection to their roots and their unwavering commitment to giving back to those around them.
Photographer Trevor Shea writes, “With my camera, I focus on capturing the small intimate details of a subject or scene, whether that be a pattern in the ice on a frozen river or a close-up of a sheep.” His artistic journey began as a child, when his father, an avid photographer, encouraged him to capture the delicate beauty of his surroundings.
Working in classic black and white, Shea focuses on capturing candid shots of farm animals and the intricacy of nature through macro photography. This unique style has brought him recognition in the fine art photography field; his work was included in last year’s Juried Open Photography Exhibition at the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Louis, Missouri. Driven by his clear vision, Trevor Shea uncovers breathtaking details through his lens, inviting you to see the world through his eyes.
Melissa Dudley is a jeweler based on the island of Nantucket, inspired by stories of the sea around her. After earning her BFA in metal and jewelry, her dedication earned her a prestigious scholarship to study jewelry making in Portugal. She has completed GIA stone-setting courses and CAD training, with a concentration on recycled metals and conflict-free diamonds.
Dudley’s innovative creative process is a blend of visual imagination and meticulous mechanics. We are especially taken with her “Sailor’s Valentine” pendants, which beautifully meld the enchantment of Nantucket’s local beaches with the allure of far-flung shells. Her work is a fusion of antiquity and contemporary design, with a focus on making historical themes resonate with new generations. Dudley combines precision with organic forms to create pieces that are both timeless and modern.
Laura Pepper is an extraordinary furniture maker working out of a studio in an old industrial building in Orange, MA. Her professional journey as a cabinetmaker spans her entire adult life, with a focus on late 18th-century cabinets and millwork reproduction and restoration.
Building chairs is possibly the most difficult skill for a furniture maker to master. Over the past five years, Pepper has shifted her attention to crafting Windsor chairs. She begins with freshly cut local wood, which she meticulously splits, turns, or shaves. She then steams and bends the chair backs and carves the seats from local white pine, finishing each piece with milk paint. Decorated tabletops are painted with vinegar paint. Pepper’s work emphasizes lightness and grace. She finds a special kind of magic in transforming humble oak logs into elegant, lightweight, and comfortable chairs, stools, and tables. Each piece is a unique challenge and an individual creation, reflecting Pepper’s skill and personal touch.
