Boyd’s Station Gallery is proud to present 7500+ Miles, a multimedia exhibition featuring the felted works, photographs, journal entries, watercolor sketches, and backpacking gear of award-winning Harrison County artist and Boyd’s Station Artist Guild creative member, Kris Grenier.

As a backpacker and ultramarathoner, Grenier is inspired by the natural world that envelops her on remote journeys. Grenier’s first solo exhibition is curated to immerse viewers in the context in which her works are born.

Grenier’s work is on exhibition at the Boyd’s Station Gallery located at 203 E. Pike Street, Cynthiana, Kentucky from February 4 through March 5, 2023.

The opening reception for the “7500+ Miles” exhibition will be hosted at Boyd’s Station Gallery on Saturday, February 4 at 6-9pm. 

All events and gallery visits are always free and open to the public.

Though rooted in Harrison County, Grenier has explored far reaches of the United States on foot. She incorporates pieces of home, and her family’s small farm, into the felted works that recreate treasured experiences from the trail. Each felted work begins as a durable “canvas” made from the raw wool of her family’s sheep. Using a colorful palette of dyed wool, Grenier builds upon the canvas to create uniquely fascinating scenes from her backcountry travels.

“This show is the culmination of more than a decade of backpacking and six years of felting,” remarks Grenier, a 2022 Kentucky Arts Council Emerging Artist Grant recipient. “My works will be touring Lexington and the Cincinnati area later this year, and I’m so excited that the first place this exhibit will be presented—the first time this many of my feltings will be shown under one roof—is in a gallery in my hometown.”

Each felted work is accompanied by line-style trail maps, watercolor sketches, photographs, and journal entries to provide viewers with both the geographical and personal contexts of Grenier’s artistic process. Additionally, Grenier’s exhibition offers a unique, hands-on opportunity for viewers to participate in the artistic process of creating felted works. An assortment and wool and felting needles, as well as a wool “canvas” and felting foam, will be provided by the artist. Detailed instructions will guide participants through the process so that they may be introduced to the craft that is central to Grenier’s artistic endeavors.

The public is invited to visit the Boyd’s Station Gallery located at 203 E. Pike Street, Cynthiana, Kentucky during normal gallery hours of Fridays, 4-8 pm, Saturdays, noon-6 pm and Sundays, noon-4 pm from Feb. 4 through Mar. 5, 2023.

Groups interested in visiting during gallery off-hours may contact Boyd’s Station directly at gallery@boydsstation.com to inquire about scheduling a visit.

Artist Q/A with Kris Grenier

Boyd’s Station Gallery, 203 E. Pike Street, Cynthiana, KY

Sunday, Feb. 19 at 2 pm

Thru-Hiking Panel Discussion with J&H Outdoors

Boyd’s Station Gallery, 203 E. Pike Street, Cynthiana, KY

Saturday, March 4 at 2 pm