Curious Maximalist: A Solo Exhibition of Fiber Art & Assemblage by Andrea Dupree

Little Bites Gallery presents Curious Maximalist, a solo exhibition of hand-felted sculpture and assemblage by artist Andrea Dupree. Little Bites Gallery, brainchild of Sarah Bolen, is a year-long micro-gallery project dedicated to artists based in New Mexico. The space is located within the creative community surrounding Mottainai Vintage on Early Street in Santa Fe. Together, the neighboring spaces celebrate thoughtful reuse, makers, and the joy of discovering beauty in unexpected places. Curious Maximalist reflects that same spirit, inviting visitors into a world shaped by slow making and the stories held within objects. The exhibition features new works from Dupree's Nigredo series of sculptural felt wall pieces alongside small-scale assemblages created from felt, vintage textiles, and curiosities gathered over years of collecting. Whether presented as sculptural wall pieces or intimate assemblages, each work reflects the same labor-intensive process, careful craftsmanship, and attention to detail. The assemblages also offer a more accessible opportunity to collect original work from the exhibition. Growing up in South Louisiana, Dupree was shaped by the visual traditions of Catholicism and Mardi Gras, where handmade adornments and altars were woven into everyday life. Today she creates works that blur the boundaries between sculpture, shrine, and curiosity collection. "I've always been curious about transformation; especially how people, materials and objects change over time. The felt sculptures in my Nigredo series explore inner landscapes shaped by life experiences and shadow work. The way I make the work is as important as the finished piece. I felt wool and plant fibers with harvested rainwater and then use the water to irrigate my garden, allowing the creative process to become part of a larger cycle of care. The assemblages draw from my lifelong love of collections and include artifacts from childhood, inherited objects, treasures gathered from thrift stores, estate sales and roadsides. Together, these works are reminders that people, materials and objects carry histories worth tending." Visitors are invited to celebrate the opening on Friday, August 21, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. The evening will include invitations to make, collect, and experience art together. Think 1980’s school bazaar with mystery grab bags (featuring tiny art & vintage ephemera), craft stations and a giant P.E. parachute (weather permitting). Admission to the exhibition and opening reception is free. Guests of all ages are welcome. The exhibition will remain on view through September 20, with gallery hours Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4:00 pm.