Kirsten is the artist and owner behind Gather on Hopmeadow and Modern Twist Macramé. She holds a BFA in Design from RIT and studied architecture at RPI. After many years creating macramé, she opened Modern Twist Makers in Tariffville, CT in early 2023. Later that year, she expanded into a larger space now known as Gather on Hopmeadow. There, she teaches macramé and a variety of children’s art classes while showcasing work by local artists. Outside the studio, she enjoys time with her husband, two kids, and their dog—camping, hiking, and practicing yoga.

Claire is an artist and professional designer with more than 15 years in creative direction and branding. She’s also the creator of January Bird, a small art shop where she pairs original paintings and illustrations with her own writing. At Gather, she hosts birthday parties and adult painting workshops. As a recovering perfectionist, she’s learned that the best work usually comes after you give yourself permission to mess up, and she loves helping people explore their own creative potential. Outside the studio, she’s a photographer and songwriter, and volunteers with animal rescue groups. She lives in Avon with her husband, kids, and two little rescue dogs. Find her work at @januarybirdart and januarybird.etsy.com

Gillian Symolon is a multimedia artist that likes to combine mediums to accentuate oppositions, She works with extreme binaries, combining “soft” and “hard” or “practical” and “impractical”, and creates contrast with texture, color, and line. She takes what’s given to her, takes it apart and reassembles it to accentuate oppositions. She draws inspiration from nature, vintage items, music, and art history. She finds a methodical rhythm and inserts herself into their work with metalsmithing and ceramics. Recently, She has been experimenting with larger forms with the South Korean technique of Onggi. She has been integrating Onggi within her practice and developing a balance between the traditional technique and contemporary views. Gillian graduated from The University of Vermont in 2024 with a Bachelors in Fine Arts and Art History, and currently teaches pottery at a local studio. In her free time, she enjoys reading and playing with her cat.

Rio is a multi-award winning intuitive healer, who is committed to helping others. As a certified Usui Reiki Master and clinical hypnotherapist, it is Rio’s goal to continue to promote wellness and transformation, through a variety of healing modalities. Rio infuses every session with a deep sense of love and care, which is essential to the transformation and healing clients are seeking. Rio is also a practicing Licensed Clinical Social Worker, specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness techniques, to assist those struggling with anxiety and depression. Rio is the owner of Inner Harmony, LLC. To see more about what she does, visit https://innerharmonyllc.net/

Dina is a self-taught fiber artist and the creator of Fox Hollow Friends, a whimsical world of handcrafted needle-felted animals and woodland characters. Working with natural wool, Dina carefully sculpts each piece by hand using traditional needle-felting techniques. Her mice, foxes, sheep, and other forest creatures feel as if they stepped out of a storybook, bringing warmth, humor, and imagination into everyday life. Dina lives and works in Simsbury, CT, where she also teaches needle-felting workshops and enjoys sharing the magic of this traditional fiber art with others. Her work celebrates nature, craftsmanship, and the small joyful stories hidden in the natural world. You can learn more by going to FoxHollowFriends social media and website www.FoxHollowFriends.com

Emily is a wife, mother, and fluid artist specializing in acrylic paint pouring. She creates one-of-a-kind pieces—from paintings and coasters to wine glasses and more—and transforms the dried paint that falls from her canvases into vibrant, eco-minded jewelry. By recycling these “paint skins,” she reduces waste while crafting truly unique accessories. She also helps host birthday parties, bringing creative, hands-on art experiences to celebrations. Custom commissions are available upon request. Emily is the owner of Emi-Sue Creations. To see a full of her offerings, visit https://emisuecreations.com/

Robin is a professional Illustrator and graphic designer for the past 25 years. She also teaches Graphic Design at CT State Asnuntuck in Enfield. Since 2018, Robin has tapped into her inner child with sharpening her art skills and creating cartoon characters for clients and books. She was then asked to teach cartoon classes at Gather On Hopmeadow. This all has led Robin down the path of drawing up her first comic about her imaginative childhood adventures named GeekGalGO! Custom commissions of retro-inspired art and fabric painting pieces are also Robin’s specialty. You can learn more by going to GeekGalGO social media and website www.geekgalgo.com/

Heather works primarily in watercolor, drawing inspiration from nature and imagination. For Heather, art is a source of joy and relaxation. It is her privilege to share that joy with others, by teaching classes that encourage experimentation and provide a soothing environment to create.