My 2013 Art Exhibits Past and Still to Come

Posted by Stephanie Tickner on Thursday, October 17, 2013 Under: Art Exhibits

I had many exhibit opportunities this year, both new to me, and annual favorites. There have been changes to favorite exhibits as well, which has created some challenges.

In July I was asked to exhibit two of my prints in the Alstead , NH 2013 Sestercentennial Celebration Art Show at the beautiful Shedd-Porter Library through early August. I had driven by that library so many times, but never stopped in until I dropped off my prints. I couldn't believe how stunning the architecture was. According to the website, "Shedd-Porter Memorial Library, Alstead, New Hampshire. Designed in the Beaux-Arts style by Boston architects William H. McLean and Albert H. Wright, it was built in 1910 as a gift from John Graves Shedd and Mary Roenna Porter. The Shedd-Porter Memorial Library is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as well as in the New Hampshire Register of Historic Places."

The front of the Shed Porter Memorial Library

The beautiful domed ceiling inside the library.

Marble columns inside the library.

The two prints of Alstead that were in the library were "Chase's Mill" and "On the Road to Alstead".

"Chase's Mill"

The exhibitors printed up the following to go with my print, "Chase's Mill is the third building on this foundation. The first, a gristmill, was built in 1768. This was replaced by a later building in which wood products were made. This in turn was replaced in about 1918 by the present building."

"On the Way to Alstead"

I have been told that this barn is called the Tinker Barn. It is just past Chase's Mill after a 15 mph curve in the road. I couldn't find any history about it online though. It's something I'm very curious about now.

There were lots of other activities for the Alstead 250th as well, including a parade, music, and historic reenactments.

My son and our farmer friends Marty and Ellen from Orchard Hill Farm and Village Roots Farm and Education in East Alstead. They were walking their young oxen, Boss and Chez, in the parade. My son helps out on the farm.

The Firehouse Six band playing ragtime music in the parade.

Historical re-enacters in the parade.

Old fashioned drum and fife band.

I loved this covered wagon!

My son played a djembe in the gazebo in Alstead with other campers from The Orchard School who had participated in the Sankofa African Drumming camp.

Historical reenactment

On August 17, the neighboring town of Gilsum celebrated their 250th anniversary. I have a print of the painting I did of Gilsum's Stone Arch Bridge, which I brought over to their school for Gilsum's art exhibit. I had other activities planned for that day, so I wasn't able to stay for the celebration, but I heard it was very nice.

My print in the center

"One Morning in Gilsum"

The story of the bridge can be read on the sign near the bridge.

My next exhibit as the annual Monadnock Area Artists Association Art in the Park in Keene, NH over Labor Day weekend. We struggled with rain, humidity and heat, but in the end the event was very nice. I love that the Keene Music Festival and Art in the Park have connected and there are now musicians at the Ashuelot River Park on Saturday to add to the atmosphere of the art exhibits. I was also very excited to receive an honorable mention in the watermedia category.

Glad people planned ahead and brought umbrellas

Inside my tent

Honorable mention photo taken for the MAAA website. You can see all the winners on their site.

The following weekend there was a local Marl ow, NH ar t ex hibit hosted by the Marlow Art Colony. It takes place at a seasonal camp on the village pond, and features paintings, quilting, screen printing, wood crafts, and fiber arts, along with locally themed skits and poetry. The exhibit ends with a celebration of community and a potluck dinner. It was a lovely day to connect with people, even if my art was covered in pine needles by the end!

The village pond in Marlow

One of the many beautiful gardens in the woods.

Wood crafts

Quilts

Fiber arts

Screen printing

My setup at Art in the Woods

The camp where Art in the Woods was held

One event I participate in each year is the art exhibit in the grange hall during Marlow's Harvest Festival the first weekend in October. It is a fun festival with the art exhibit, craft vendors on the lawn in front of the Odd Fellows building, live music in the gazebo, antique cars, exhibits by the historical society and the conservation commission, and lots of yummy food sold for fundraisers, including the Odd Fellows' barbecue, a variety of soups, and delicious pies. Unfortunately, I learned that this year there would not be a harvest festival. It turns out it is the same small group of people who work hard to organize this event each year. Since they were unable to get more help, they decided not to hold the event this year. I guess that is what happens in a small town when the same people do so much of the work.

Art exhibit in the grange at the 2010 Harvest Festival

Once the fall festivals are over, I start planning for the holiday fairs. For many years I have participated in Marlow's Christmas on the Pond in the historic village buildings, the third weekend in November. Then the next weekend I set up in the town hall in the neighboring town of Walpole, NH for the Orchard School's Holiday Craft Fair and Cafe, the first weekend in December. Unfortunately, the Orchard School learned that the town hall was not available that weekend, and the only weekend that was open was the third weekend in November, the same time as Christmas on the Pond! I really didn't want to have to choose between these two events that mean so much to me. So, while I wondered about who might be able to help me at one of the fairs, and how I would be able to set up in two places at once, I learned that Christmas on the Pond had filled up. That answered those questions! So, I will donate a framed print to the fundraising raffle at Christmas on the Pond, and I will exhibit at the town hall in Walpole for the Orchard School. Best of all, what could have become an uncomfortable competition, has turned into an effort of cooperation. The organizers are working together to see how they can support these events, as well as others in the area at the same time, and encourage shoppers to visit all the sites, bettering chances at winning raffle items. I am so glad it worked out as well as it did.

My 2012 setup at Marlow's Christmas on the Pond

My 2012 setup at The Orchard School Craft Fair and Cafe

I also received an email application the other day for another annual fair I join, Antioch University New England's Winterfest Craft Fair, hosted by the Student Alliance on Thursday, December 5. I work in the Management Department at Antioch in Keene, so this fair is always a great community event for me.

My 2011 setup at Antioch's Winterfest

Finally, last week, a coworker at Antioch sent me an email about an art exhibit coming up in Brattleboro, Vermont. I wrote to the organizer and included a link to my website, and she invited me to join them. It is an evening event called Whetstone Art & Craft on Friday November 1. I am excited to show my paintings to a new audience. I look forward to receiving the flyer so I can learn more about it.

With all these events coming up, it is a good time to stop typing and start getting organized. I hope you are enjoying this beautiful fall.