Motion at Rest: May 18 - June 18, 2025

MOTION at REST: The TRANSPORTATION ART of CHARLIE GOULD

Join us at Art for the Soul Gallery’s Classical location for MOTION at REST—The TRANSPORTATION ART of CHARLIE GOULD! 

DATE AND TIME

May 18th, 2025

LOCATION

235 State Street | Classical | Springfield MA, 01103

ABOUT THIS EVENT

Charlie Gould: Motion At Rest

Art for the Soul Gallery – Classical Location

235 State Street, Springfield, MA 01103

Opening Reception: May 18th 2025, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Additional Viewings by Reservation Only 

Art for the Soul Gallery is proud to present Motion At Rest: The Transportation Art of Charlie Gould, the solo debut of an up-and-coming outsider painting his way around the rusty margins of New England! In bold colors and a gestural hand, Charlie finds dignity and soul in rusty engines, tired ships, and gutted cars, painting life into the remains of a bygone era of opportunity. These paintings are neither nostalgic pastiches of a simpler time, nor celebrations of the natural decay of the machine age. Rather, they exist torn between the two: they are collaborations between a mind concerned with the environmental and social impacts of “progress,” and a heart that never abandoned its childhood love of trains, ships, and the thrum of cities.

Motion at Rest is bound by the pride and purpose earned by performing meaningful labor. The locomotives, ships, and cars depicted in this exhibition were all built to work. Some still ply the rails, seas, and roads, while others have outlived their usefulness and have been left to rust. Three years ago, Charlie picked up a pencil and began to draw, searching for purpose and meaning beyond what his professional work brought him. Through paint, he has found fulfillment that he didn’t know he needed. Yet the anxiety remains: when youth has run its course and his body and mind refuse to work anymore, will the fulfillment earned remain? Motion at Rest replies as a memento mori: a life of purposeful labor may be rewarded with decay at the hand of time’s relentless elements.

In his paintings, Charlie freezes moments in the life and death of American transportation, snapshots of seasons warped by a changing climate, and contemporary views of an Industrial Era-world disintegrating into ruins. On his canvases, boards, and papers, in oil and watercolor, Charlie hopes to grant momentary respite to the weary machines that worked tirelessly to build this country, or failing that, to memorialize them for coming generations.

Can't Attend The Opening Reception? Reserve Your Visit!

Viewings are free and open to the public by reservation only. Each session is 40 minutes and designed for an intimate, focused experience with the artwork. Please select from the available dates and times below to hold your spot. Click here to reserve your visit!

Come pause the world and seek refuge from the relentless march of time in Motion at Rest: The Transportation Art of Charlie Gould!

Cultural Fusion: A Neon Installation By Billy Myers

Art for The Soul Gallery is excited to announce the opening of its latest exhibition, Cultural Fusion: A Neon Installation, showcasing the works of Bill Myers. The exhibition will open on March 23, 2025 and run through August 31, 2025, featuring a dynamic collection of large-scale neon installations and immersive environments.

Cultural Fusion highlights the unique vision of Bill Myers, whose works explores the complexities of social issues and anxieties, while simultaneously celebrating the power of collective human connection. The exhibit will offer viewers an opportunity to engage with art that navigates themes of social isolation, inequality, and shared humanity.

Sierra Myers shares, "This exhibition is a fantastic way to kick off the year. I am excited to introduce the 'Cultural Fusion' neon installation to the gallery—something we've never done before. It will be an educational and immersive experience that will leave viewers questioning everything."

The opening reception will take place on March, 23 2025 from 3pm to 6pm, and will be open to the public. Bill Myers will be in attendance to discuss his works and engage with attendees. Light refreshments will be provided, and the event is free to attend.

“Installation art for me is a movement of space, and not merely placing objects in a site-specific void. It is the reason I paint everything a shadowy flat-black.

Shadows evoke a sense of depth, atmospheric distance, and time. Negative spaces are created when a shadow falls upon the black surface. Figures recede, then advance with the veil of neon, which becomes softened, like velvet.

Cultural Fusion was created when humans began migration. The process that people undergo when they come in contact with a new environment. Their culture integrates a new cultural knowledge while supplanting elements from their own. This is true of plants and animals.

Finally, the reason I was drawn to installation art is because it goes beyond the range of limits.

My work creates a conceptual cultural sphere, where viewers become a part of the installation.” - Bill Myers

Join Us for the Closing Reception of Cultural Fusion

Sunday, August 31, 2025 | 4–7 PM

This is your last chance to experience Springfield’s only neon installation. Meet the artist, soak up the light, and take part in a community-centered evening.

Art For The Soul Gallery is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing art, education, and cultural connection to our community.

This is a free event, but donations are greatly appreciated to support future programming.

Slime Making Event

Join Chess Angels for a fun-filled Slime Making Party on March 1st, from 12 PM – 2 PM at the Upper Level of Tower Square (Food Court)! This family-friendly event is the perfect way to unleash your creativity while supporting a meaningful cause.

For just $5 per bucket of slime, you can mix, stretch, and swirl your own custom slime creation. Prefer to stay mess-free? Donations are welcome and will go toward the Malcolm X Mural & Education Project, launching in May 2025.

Come for the slime, stay for the cause—every bit of support helps bring this important community project to life.

Event Details:

📅 When: March 1, 12 PM – 2 PM

📍 Where: Upper Level, Tower Square (Food Court)

💲 Cost: $5 per bucket of slime (donations encouraged)

Bring the whole family and make a difference—one slime bucket at a time!

Register for the event here.