This Followed Me Home: Twenty Years of Collecting at Lowe Mill by Catherine Shearer

This exhibition round includes works provided by Catherine Shearer which will be on view in the First Floor West Gallery from September 2 – November 21, 2026.  Lowe Mill A&E invites patrons and art lovers to join us for Open Studio Night, a building-wide experience when our over 150 studios will be open to the public.  The evening also includes receptions for all seven of our gallery spaces. This series gives the public a chance to meet and interact with visiting artists and discuss their work as it is on display and available for purchase. Come out, enjoy a pleasant evening, and maybe you’ll find that special piece of art that speaks to you!  The Open Studio Night reception is Saturday, November 21 from 5-7 pm.

 

About the exhibit:

Some people collect stamps. Some collect baseball cards. I collect artwork from Lowe Mill.

For the past twenty years, I’ve wandered these halls “just to look”—and somehow managed to leave with paintings, prints, pottery, sculptures, photographs, and all kinds of wonderful creations tucked under my arm. (It happens more often than I’d like to admit.)

Every piece in this exhibition caught my eye, made me smile, started a conversation, or simply refused to stay behind. Together, they’ve transformed my home into a gallery filled with stories, memories, and the incredible talent of Lowe Mill’s artists.

This exhibition isn’t about building a perfect collection—it’s about the joy of discovering art, meeting the people who create it, and supporting a community that makes creativity part of everyday life.

So take a look around. You might recognize a favorite artist, discover someone new, or find yourself thinking, “I need that on my wall.”

Warning: Side effects of visiting Lowe Mill may include spontaneous art purchases, conversations with fascinating artists, and the irresistible urge to find just one more piece for your wall.

This exhibition is the result of twenty years of happily giving in to those side effects.

About the collector:

I have been part of the Lowe Mill A&E community since 2002, when I first came here as a founder and HBIC of Flying Monkey Arts. Over the years, my connection to this building has taken many forms. I was a member of Virago, an all-female art collective; owned NoneSuch Gifts, which had a space here for many years; and owned and operated Happy Tummy Restaurant at Lowe Mill A&E for 15 years.

Today, I continue that connection as a part-time Event Coordinator for Lowe Mill A&E.

For more than two decades, Lowe Mill A&E has been a significant part of my life. I have shared this place with countless artists and have formed friendships with people who have created, exhibited, performed, and built their lives within these walls.

This collection is a reflection of those years—the artists I have known, the friendships I have made, and the experiences we have shared. Each piece carries a connection to the remarkable creative community that has made Lowe Mill A&E home.