Amy Hemphill Dove is the featured artist for April at Butterfield Garage Art Gallery.
A self-proclaimed “dyed in the wool” fiber artist and endlessly experimental, Hemphill Dove 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,” she said. “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.”
Hemphill Dove’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 her work and are reflected in the textures, color palettes and compositions she creates.
Hemphill Dove was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, into a family of artists, musicians, creators and collectors. She earned a bachelor’s degree 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.
Hemphill Dove 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 third 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.
Her exhibit opens during the First Friday Art Walk, 5-9 p.m. Friday, April 3, at the Butterfield Garage Art Gallery, 137 King St., St. Augustine.
For further information, call 904-825-4577 or email info@butterfieldgarage.com. The gallery website is butterfieldgarage.com.
