Meris Drew, inks lake, 2022. Courtesy of Stellarhighway.

Hold On To This Instead

June 20 — June 22, 2025
an off-site group exhibition for the summer solstice

COMPANION is pleased to announce Hold On To This Instead, a group exhibition celebrating the 2025 summer solstice with ten contemporary, midwestern artists: Aleyah Austin, Stephanie Barlow, Kelsey Blacklock, Landon Caldwell, Meris Drew, Ryan Freund, Rob Funkhouser, Julian Jamaal Jones, Casey Roberts, and Shamira.

Presented off-site, intimate cottage spaces and verdant gardens host sculpture, painting, drawing, ceramic, quilt, and sound works that emphasize the importance of attending to what is elemental and available around us all. Together for the first time, the artists’ traditional forms and materials make way for present-day contemplations on communing with one another and the lands and skies we share.

The intimate residential setting is owned by neighbors who are transforming the 1885 cottage, grounds, and farmstead into an artist and writers residency. Hold On To This Instead is the first public activation of the property and the second COMPANION group exhibition celebrating the summer solstice.

Online Viewing Room | Inquire

For in-person sales and inquiries, please visit the office in the cottage or contact: braydee@thisiscompanion.com

Documentation by Anna Powell Denton and Hadley Fruits

Assemblies

OPENING RECEPTION
Friday, June 20th 6 — 11pm
Friday marks the first astronomical day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere with the solstice occurring at 10:42 p.m. ET.

OPEN HOURS
Saturday, June 21st + Sunday, June 22nd 12 — 5pm

GUIDED PLANT WALKS
Saturday June 21st + Sunday, June 22nd 1:30 — 2:30pm