Zoffoli to Guest Curate “Handmade in Haverhill” Buttonwoods Exhibit

Buttonwoods guest curator David Zoffoli (right) sits for a portrait by artist Mark Hayden. (Courtesy photograph)

Buttonwoods guest curator David Zoffoli (right) sits for a portrait by artist Mark Hayden. (Courtesy photograph)

Nearly 20 local artists, artisans and businesses are taking center stage as part of a new Buttonwoods exhibit guest curated by Bradford’s David Zoffoli starting Aug. 4.

As the winner of the Water Street museum’s “Curate Your Own Exhibit,” Z Handmade clothing designer Zoffoli called on area creatives in an effort to juxtapose local makers with makers from the Buttonwoods collection.

Zoffoli tells WHAV he looks forward to sharing the spotlight with his area colleagues.

“That’s one of the reasons I wanted to feature contemporary or local artists—maybe they get a commission, sell a painting, or get a gig as a result of this show,” Zoffoli said.

Included in Zoffoli’s exhibit are architexturist Joel Gagnon, oil painter Mark Hayden and sewist Linda Koutoulas, among others. Haverhill small business owners Matt Juros of Fishbrook Design and Chris White of Creatorpult are also sharing their talents through Zoffoli’s exhibit.

The group of 18 artists was culled from a preliminary list of 30, Zoffoli told WHAV.

A longtime city resident, Zoffoli is proud to work with Buttonwoods to promote local artists. Ideally, Zoffoli hopes the museum will become a destination for Hillie natives and visitors alike.

“One reason I wanted to work with Buttonwoods is to increase their foot traffic there,” he said. “I think it’s a gem and they have an extraordinary collection, so I said ‘How can we make it a destination?’ Then maybe people will continue to go there when they have visitors in town.”

Zoffoli’s exhibit, called “Objects & Projects: Handmade in Haverhill” opens to the public on Saturday, Aug. 4. A free Maker’s Opening Gala is planned for Aug. 9 starting at 5:30 p.m.