Works by Amy Dawn Kotel

AMHERST, MA – The Amherst Town Hall Art Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of an exhibition of works by local artist Amy Dawn Kotel on display from August 10th through the end of September. The public is invited to meet the artist at a free reception on Friday, August 21st from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Amherst Town Hall (4 Boltwood Ave, Amherst). Refreshments will be served, and music will be performed by the Amherst Autoharp Workshop.

Amy Dawn Kotel is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative path spans dance, puppetry, education, and fitness, all of which inform her vibrant fine art practice. Bursting with color, movement, and imagination, Kotel's work invites viewers into richly layered worlds where countless forms converge to create expansive landscapes, dreamlike narratives, and unexpected connections.

After years working in movement-based and community-centered arts, Amy returned to visual art as a primary outlet, using drawing, painting, collage, and upcycled fabric sculpture to explore her inner world. Her work is characterized by bold color, dynamic movement, and intricate compositions built from small shapes that form larger images. Blending elements of nature, abstraction, and surrealism, her pieces often oscillate between expressing emotional depth and imagining beauty, inviting viewers into a space that is at once playful, heartfelt, and introspective. In addition to Amy's large art life, she is also a mom, wife, community organizer, tree hugger, and educator.

The Town Hall Art Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Exhibits are coordinated by the Amherst Public Art Commission, and artists are invited to apply to have their work displayed for the bi-monthly exhibits. Learn more about the Public Art Commission and how to apply on their website: amherstma.gov/art