BIO

Meghan studied fine arts at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design and Montana State University - Bozeman.  She earned a BFA in Art Education at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee in 2011.  Meghan’s work can be found in private collections and designer showrooms across the country, as well as in a myriad of group and solo exhibitions, and gallery representation regionally.  At the intersection of her fine art and art education backgrounds, Meghan offers felting workshop opportunities spanning her small, rural mountain community to our global community at large. She creates and resides in Livingston, Montana with her husband and two children.

AWARDS

• 2022: Montana ARPA Artist Grant

  Awarded in full through the Montana Arts Council and the National Endowment of the Arts

PRESS

•  “Round Up: Fiber Artist Meghan Purcell”, Big Sky Journal, Arts Issue 2020 https://bigskyjournal.com/round-up-fiber-artist-meghan-purcell/

• “The Weekenders”
  Magnolia Journal, Issue No. 11

• “Boring Wall Hangings Have Met Their Match”, Domino article by Rebecca Deczynski https://www.domino.com/content/innovative-wall-hangings/

• "Farm to Gallery" by Eden Jones, Park + Life Magazine, Issue 5

• Interview with Jill Johnson of Western Bound Goods: http://westernboundgoods.com/blog/meghan-purcell

• From the blog of design firm, Lucy and Company: http://lucyandcompanyblog.blogspot.com/2016/01/crushing-on-wool-wall-hanging.html

• Article by Seonaid B. Campbell: http://visityellowstonecountry.com/finer-points-fiber-art/

• Studio Interview with Wayward Roots & Co.: https://www.waywardrootsco.com/journal/meghan-purcell

• Sheep shearing with our local wool producer, Wolf Ridge Icelandics as told by Wayward Roots & Co. https://www.waywardrootsco.com/journal/sheep-of-paradise

SOLO SHOWS/EXHIBITIONS

January-February 2018:  Rialto Theater Light box - Bozeman, MT

February-March 2018:  Featured artist at Katabatic Brewing - Livingston, MT

December 2017:  Featured artist at 406 Brewing - Bozeman, MT

July 28, 2017:  Behind the Wool: Honoring the Integrity of Montana Sheep Ranchers - Flying Squirrel Gallery - Livingston, MT

May 12-June 30 2017:  Behind the Wool: Honoring the Integrity of Montana Sheep Ranchers - Emerson Center for the Arts & Culture - Bozeman, MT  

May 2016: Featured Artist, 406 Brewery - Bozeman, MT

March & April 2016:  Featured Artist, Bozeman Oil and Vinegar - Bozeman, MT

February 2016:  Featured Artist, Lockhorn Cider House - Bozeman, Montana 

September 25, 2015:  Murray Hotel, as part of "Livingston Art Walk" Summer Series - Livingston, Montana

August 28, 2015:  Murray Hotel, as part of "Livingston Art Walk" Summer Series - Livingston, Montana

July 24, 2015:  Murray Hotel, as part of "Livingston Art Walk" Summer Series - Livingston, Montana

June 26, 2015:  Murray Hotel, as part of "Livingston Art Walk" Summer Series - Livingston, Montana

GROUP/TWO-PERSON SHOWS & PUBLIC EVENTS

September 2022: Cottonwood Club Takeover Show, Tinworks Art - Bozeman, MT

February 2022: Group Show: Mixx Atelier - Telluride, CO

January-February 2020: “Earth Bound”: Two-person show with Josh De Weese, Old Main Gallery- Bozeman, MT

October 2019: Diatom Collective: A curated sustainable art exhibition - Brooklyn, NY

August-September, 2019: Contemporary Mountainscapes, Mixx Atelier - Telluride, CO

March 1-31, 2019: “Wax & Wool”: Two-person show with Bridgette Meinhold, Old Main Gallery - Bozeman, MT

October 5, 2018: Emerson Center for Art and Culture - “Quick Draw” - A live art community event and auction to raise funds for the arts. - Bozeman, MT

August 24, 2018:  Rialto: "Future is Female:  Celebrating Women in the Arts" - Bozeman, MT 

May 1 - June 9, 2018:  Livingston Center for Art and Culture:  "Body Adornment" Exhibit -  Livingston, MT

December 14, 2017:  3rd Annual Lincoln School Holiday Art Market - Livingston, MT

December 15, 2016:  2nd Annual Lincoln School Holiday Art Market - Livingston, MT

December 11, 2016:  Missoula MADE Fair - Missoula, MT

November 26, 2016:  Bozeman Flea Holiday Market- Bozeman, MT

November 12, 2016:  Future is Female Art Exhibit at the Cottonwood Club - Bozeman, MT

August 19, 2016:  Lincoln School Art Exhibit - Livingston, MT

August 12-14, 2016:  Art Fair Jackson Hole - Miller Park, Jackson Hole, WY

February 23 - March 19, 2016:  Livingston Center for Art and Culture:  17th Annual Community Art Show, Livingston, MT

December 13, 2015:  Missoula MADE Art Fair.  Missoula, Montana

November 21, 2015:  The Cottonwood Club, "The Future is Female":  An all-female show.  Bozeman, Montana

SHOWS

Behind the Wool:  Honoring the Integrity of Sheep Ranchers

Exhibited May 12 – June 30, 2017 at the Emerson Center for Art and Culture - Bozeman, Montana

The work of Fiber Artist, Meghan Purcell, and Photographer, Lauren Lipscomb, is cultivated through the ideals of sustainable and intentional practices. Shaped from a collective vision, Behind the Wool emerged as an artistic collaboration and investigation into the challenges Montana sheep farmers face in present times. With cooperation from six local farmers, this vision developed into an opportunity to understand their personal efforts and involvement to combat these struggles, as well as the adaptations deemed necessary to preserve and sustain Montana sheep ranching.

Inspired from each ranch visit, Meghan Purcell constructed hand-felted panels from each individual farms’ varying breeds of wool.  During these meetings, Lauren Lipscomb photographically documented an intimate look into the life of each rancher, focusing on the unique and diverse nature of each of these ranchers and their farms.

While each farm maintains a standard of ethical values, the structure of their practices and outward involvement was beautifully reflective of their individual, personal natures. Each have faced obstacles ranging from land development, harsh climate fluctuations, challenges within breeds, feed inflation, water rights, the limited resources for wool processing and manufacturing, to the many idiosyncrasies involved in the ‘Organic’ circuit. However, these issues seemed to be discussed as merely facts rather than deterrents. Their sense of pride for their work, for their life, is palpable. They each hold a deep love for the animals they shepherd in this world, committed to evolving their land, flocks and resources. These farmers show no sign of stepping down or selling off for an easier way of life, but are looking to the future for ways to sustain.

Our sincere thanks go to each rancher involved in making this project possible.  We greatly appreciate the opportunity to expand our understanding of all the intricacies involved with producing this viable and healthy animal resource.  Thank you for all of your hard work and conscious efforts to make Montana a better place for all. 

Barb and Per Gunness (Wolf Ridge Icelandics), Katy and Richard Harjes (Willow Spring Ranch), Barb and Jim Marshall (Crazy Woman Farm), Lise and Albert Silva (Fat Robin Farm), Chris and LaVonne Stucky (Serenity Sheep Farm), Becky Weed and Dave Tyler (Thirteen Mile Farm)

Wax & Wool: Bridgette Meinhold and Meghan Purcell

Exhibited March 1-31, 2019 at Old Main Gallery in Bozeman, Montana.

Photography: A Yonke Photography

Distinguished by abstract line, layered organic shape, and dimensional texture from raw wool, this work is an expression of Montana’s identity in landscape and ranch heritage.  The undertone of this series remains inseparable to the ethics and promotion of sustainable land and animal management carried out by select local sheep farmers.  Through every stage of the sheep-to-wool cycle, these farmers maintain a holistic commitment to preserve healthy Montana lands.  These felted wool works aim to connect the viewer back to the source; to Montana’s agricultural resources and the surrounding wild, vast landscapes.  

“Liminal”: Amanda Markel & Meghan Purcell

Exhibited December 4, 2020 - January 31, 2021 at Old Main Gallery in Bozeman, Montana.