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Featured Artist
'East-West Nuptials'
Fiber Art for a US / Hindu wedding
April 2026 - Amy Hemphill Dove

Artists look to many things for inspiration - nature, fresh encounters and experiences, the out-of-the-blue, and evolution from recent pieces. Rarely, though, does something so extraordinary, sprawling, swirling, huge, and chaotically evocative come along such as to subsume one for months - or a year. Such was our second daughter's wedding in March.

Many Hindu weddings even to this day are 'arranged'. Lily's was too - 'arranged' so to speak by her and her recently acquired pet Rocket Scientist boyfriend, Deep. Between them they 'arranged' it over the course of a year or so, spreadsheets akimbo, nerds that they both are. Arrange it they did - as East-West authentically true to both as they could, short of hiring an elephant. Their first move was enlisting a crack team of astrologists in Bengal to divine the most auspicious date (as long as it didn't clash with a cricket final). It became clear that such weddings are (a) on a massive scale, (b) colourful, and (c) awash in fabrics worn and decorative.

My skill-set truly invoked!

The ceremony, all-in-all, lasted nearly a week, with standout pre-ceremonies such as Henna (a deep brown temporary tattoo), and a bright yellow turmeric dousing. Colour, colour, colour! Every costume - bride and groom have several outfit changes in just one day - is a work of art. The decoratives throughout varied from subdued pinks and blushes through to the vibrantly dynamic and always so rich in texture. All senses became piqued and interwoven in a sort of synesthesia; as anyone who loves the tastes and scents of Indian food can attest, that's a riot of colour, too!

On display as Artist Of The Month, of all the pieces I contributed will be a collection of some sixteen silk eco-dyed pieces which formed the formal backdrop at the wedding reception. I'll be glad to discuss the thinking behind them and how I make these.

See you at First Friday, April 3rd.!

Amy Hemphill Dove refers to herself as a “dyed in the wool” fiber artist.

Amy was born in West Chester, PA, into a family of artists, musicians, creators, and collectors. She earned a BSc from Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, and for several years designed Jacquard fabrics ranging from abstract to traditional. From this she developed 'Weavart,' reweaving these commercial designs of hers into woven collages.

Amy, endlessly experimental, became fascinated with wet felt-making and the various textures and blends she could create within the process. She now combines different materials - mostly hand-dyed - to create layers of new textural expressions all while embracing the visceral nature of the fibers.

“Creating with fibers and textiles is more than just a passion to me - it’s a form of storytelling. I’ve been creating since I was young, driven by curiosity and a deep appreciation for color, texture, and emotion. Whether I’m painting and designing silks, felt making, or botanical printing, my work reflects the world as I experience it—raw, alive, and layered with meaning. My mission as an artist is to create work that resonates on an emotional level—pieces that make people pause, remember, and connect.”

Amy’s creativity flows mostly from the magnificent beauty of nature: The variety of colors and textures in flowers, trees, and creatures are her boundless inspiration. The power of the sea, the rustling of the forest, the singing of birds, and the beauty of sunrises and sunsets all lay an indelible imprint on Amy’s work and are reflected in the textures, color palettes, and compositions she creates.

Amy is one of the longest-term members and a principal of the Butterfield Garage Art Gallery. She has been a member the St. Augustine Art Association since 2013 having won many awards there for her feltworks, most recently 3rd place in the Association’s 2024 Honors Show for ‘Summertime Trellis’. Additionally, she often presents her pieces in art shows and exhibitions elsewhere along the East Coast.

Nuno-Felt Shawl - Amy Hemphill Dove

Luminary - Amy Hemphill Dove

Flutterscarf - Amy Hemphill Dove

About Butterfield Garage Art Gallery

Established in February 1999, Butterfield Garage Art Gallery is the brainchild of artist Jan Miller. Her vision was to create an artist-run gallery for professional artists that would encourage creative experimentation. Miller brought with her the experience of over 40 years as a successful professional artist. Having been a former member of ARC Cooperative in Chicago, Jan wanted to create a similar collective here in her new home. Her plan was to bring together the best artists in the area, who would share expenses, management, and operation of the gallery. The gallery opened its doors in February 1999.

For 25 years now, the Butterfield Garage Art Gallery has provided its artists with the chance to grow and take advantage of opportunities that may come their way through exposure in a professional gallery. And we continue to this day, true to the gallery’s original mission: to be a leader in the presentation of traditional and contemporary visual arts in Northeast Florida, and to encourage the experience of direct accessibility and dialogue between artists and their customers.

Stop in and see what's new and don't forget to pick up a Shuttle Sticker for complimentary shuttle service to St. Augustine galleries between 6-9 pm on the night of the Gallery Walk.

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