Birds and Beasts Brings Joy: Ann Grimes at Gallery 610
On March 1, 2026, Gallery 610 welcomed its newest solo exhibition, Birds & Beasts, by Lavalette artist Frances “Ann” Grimes. The exhibit runs through April 11 and invites visitors into a world of curious creatures, watchful birds, and handmade forms that celebrate both imagination and connection.
At RenewAll, exhibitions like this are part of a larger vision. Through our creative placemaking programs such as Gallery 610, we work to create spaces where art can thrive in the heart of the community. By providing opportunities for local and regional artists to exhibit their work, we help transform everyday places into destinations for creativity, conversation, and discovery. Ann’s work is a perfect example of the spirit behind that mission.
Inspired by the Natural World
The Birds & Beasts exhibition brings together two bodies of work that began from very personal moments. Ann’s bird series started with a visitor on her deck: a determined mockingbird who seemed to claim the space as her own. By leaving birdseed on the railing, Ann slowly gained the bird’s trust and began observing her daily life.
Watching the mockingbird care for her young, and seeing other birds do the same, sparked a deeper reflection.
“They cared so much,” Ann recalls. “It made me wonder why humans can’t be like birds sometimes.”
That quiet observation turned into a series of felted bird portraits framed in repurposed materials. Many of the frames come from thrift stores, and the textured wool backgrounds are often made from recycled wool skirts. The result is artwork that feels both nostalgic and deeply personal, honoring a tradition of resourcefulness while giving new life to old materials.
Beasties Born from a Difficult Time
While the birds grew from peaceful moments outdoors, the “beasts” came from a much different chapter. During the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ann found herself missing time with her children and grandchildren. To cope with the distance, she began experimenting with sculptural creatures.
The first beasts were made from rope yarn and paint. Eventually, they evolved into the colorful hanging forms featured in the exhibit today. Each one is made through wet felting, a labor-intensive process that combines wool roving, warm water, soap, and steady hands to shape the material into playful forms.
Their most recognizable feature? “They all have big mouths,” Ann says with a laugh. But behind their whimsical expressions lies a deeper origin: they were companions during a lonely time, small sparks of creativity that helped bridge the distance between loved ones. And they just make you smile!
One particularly personal piece of Ann’s reflects the holidays during that same difficult period. Missing the family tradition of decorating together, Ann created a small beast tangled up in Christmas lights, an image that is both humorous and heartfelt.
Moments like that reveal the heart of her work: art that carries memory, resilience, and joy.
One Moon, Shared by All
Visitors may also notice that many of Ann’s pieces include a moon. For her, it’s a quiet reminder of something universal. “We all share the same moon,” she explains. “And the same sun and earth.”
In a way, that idea mirrors the role art can play in a community, reminding us that even across different experiences and backgrounds, there are threads that connect us all.
Visit the Exhibit
Ann’s Birds & Beasts exhibition is on view now at Gallery 610 through April 11, located at 610 W. 14th Street, Huntington, WV. Many pieces are available to purchase. The gallery is open daily during regular business hours and offers visitors a chance to experience these imaginative works up close.
Through artists like Ann Grimes, spaces like Gallery 610 continue to show how creativity can shape a neighborhood, turning everyday visits into moments of curiosity, connection, and wonder.
Stop by and discover the birds, the beasts, and the stories they carry! Meet Ann during Winter Arts Fest for her artist reception and experience a felting demonstration from 4-7PM in the Gallery!
