SUMMER RAIN II - textiles & prints

Summer Rain II

13 June - 5 July 2025

We are thrilled to expand our Summer Rain exhibition with the introduction of a series of magnificent pictorial quilts by Mvskoke textile artist Melinda Schwakhofer. These extraordinary works of art are rich in colour, texture and symbolism. Summer Rain II will also include smaller works on paper and fabric, created using a range of printing and stitching techniques.

Artist Talk & exhibition opening

Artist Talk - Friday 13th June, 4-5pm

Exhibition opening - Friday 13th June, 5-7pm

Book now for a fascinating Artist Talk with Mvskoke textile artist Melinda Schwakhofer in conversation with gallery curator Jo Prince. Hear her moving story of reconnection to her ancestral homelands, Indigenous family, culture and language.

Melinda Schwakhofer is an American artist and citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation who now lives and works on Dartmoor in the UK. Born in Los Angeles in 1963, Melinda began working with textiles and expanded her practice to include painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture and photography. She is an internationally exhibited, award-winning artist whose work has been acquired by major institutions and private collectors in America and Europe. Her distinctive art dress entitled ‘SacRED Threads’ will be on permanent exhibition in the British Museum later this year.

There is no charge for the event but donations are appreciated.

Email [email protected] to book for the Artist Talk .

After the talk, please join us in celebrating the opening of SUMMER RAIN II on Friday 13th June 5-7pm at Rainmaker Gallery. Enjoy a drink and meet the artist. View her exquisite textiles and prints, alongside the paintings & drawings of fellow artist Addison Karl.

The work of both artists featured in this exhibition is deeply rooted in their shared ancestral homelands of the Southeastern Woodlands of North America.

Summer Rain book

To accompany his wonderful paintings and drawings, artist Addison Karl has produced a beautiful book of poetry. Every image has a magical poem which elevates the viewers experience of the art. Below are the words that partner the painting ‘Broken Bow Lake’, featured above:

“The water doesn’t rush - it remembers. It curls through rock like breath, tracing old paths, older than names. The stones below shine with color, not for beauty’s sake, but because they’ve been worn honest. This isn’t just a riverbed. It’s a ledger. A memory. A ground that’s been walked, carried, crossed.

Above it all, the rain hums. A slow stitching, threading cloud to canopy to soil. They’re heartbeats, each one an echo of a step, a word, a gesture long folded into the land. The trees stand quiet, their leaves catching light like songs half-heard.” AK

Books cost £10 and are available in the gallery.

New Gallery Hours

In pursuit of the perfect work/life balance, our opening hours have changed. From this week, Thursday viewings will be by appointment. If you can’t make it to the gallery during regular opening hours, feel free to request a more convenient time. We are local and delighted to welcome all visitors :)

Monday by appointment

Tuesday & Wednesday 10am - 5pm

Thursday by appointment

Friday 10am - 5pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm

Contact [email protected] / 0117 973 0398

We look forward to seeing you next Friday!

Jo & Erin xx