Author: Angie Sykeny

Angie Sykeny is a Hippo staff writer covering local arts, theater, music and pop culture. She can be reached at [email protected].

The Art Roundup 22/03/10

The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities

• A Chicken and a Birdie: The Palace Theatre’s (80 Hanover St., Manchester) next mainstage production, Bye Bye Birdie, will have its opening show on Friday, March 11, at 7:30 p.m. The Broadway classic is set in 1958 in the small town of Sweet Apple, Ohio, and centers around an Elvis-like rock ’n’ roll star named Conrad Birdie who is drafted into the Army. As a publicity stunt, Birdie’s agent and songwriter arranges for Birdie to appear on a television program, where he will perform a new song called “One Last Kiss” and give one lucky girl from his fan club a real last kiss before reporting for duty. Bye Bye Birdie will run through April 3, with showtimes on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at noon. Ticket prices range from $25 to $46. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588.

Seacoast-based Upside Arts Company presents Chicken Little at the Players’ Ring Theatre (105 Marcy St., Portsmouth), with showtimes on Saturday, March 12, and Sunday, March 13, at 10 a.m., and on Sunday, March 20, at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The production is an original musical, adapted from the classic children’s story, with a book and music by Portsmouth theater artist Joshua Goldberg. “I had a picture book when I was little with a few different folk and fairy tales, and for some reason the Chicken Little illustrations have always stuck with me,” Goldberg told the Hippo in January. “My adaptation is centered on the idea of fame; at first, Chicken Little is fed up with everyone teasing him and wants to be anonymous, but then, the king validates his fear that the sky is falling and calls him a hometown hero, so he has experiences with two ends of the spectrum and has to navigate to the middle.” Tickets cost $18 for adults and $15 for kids under age 12. Visit theupsideartscompany.org/chickenlittle or playersring.org, or call 436-8123.

• From nature to fabric: See “Stitched Together – Elements of Nature from Textile Fragments,” an exhibition presented by the New Hampshire Art Association featuring the work of NHAA member Cheryl Miller, on display now through April 15 at NHAA’s gallery space at the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center (49 S. Main St., Concord). Miller is a textile artist who creates fabric collages using hand dyed cottons, batik and machine-stitched vintage fabrics. The exhibit includes a series of her textile collages that were inspired by the colors seen in nature. “The compositions are mostly abstract but also incorporate some elements of landscape, trees or leaves,” she said in a press release. “The idea of these pieces is to evoke a mood through the use of color and focus on small details in nature.” Gallery hours at the Chamber are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. All works in the exhibition are for sale. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230.

Political laughs
It’s the final weekend for local theater company Bedford off Broadway’s production of The Senator Wore Pantyhose at the Bedford Old Town Hall (70 Bedford Center Road, Bedford). Showtimes are on Friday, March 11, and Saturday, March 12, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, March 13, at 2 p.m. The 1989 comedy by Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore centers on a failing presidential campaign where the candidate’s unwavering integrity and honesty are set against a sleazy campaign manager who will do whatever it takes to win votes. Tickets cost $15 for general admission and $12 for seniors and students. See “Bedford off Broadway” on Facebook.

• Writers welcome: The Merrimack Valley Writers’ Group is looking for new members, according to an email from Pembroke Town Library, which hosts the group in partnership with the Hooksett Public Library. All published and unpublished local writers who are interested in sharing their work with other writers and giving and receiving constructive feedback are invited to join. The group meets regularly; the next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5, from 5 to 7:15 p.m., and will be held virtually over WebEx Meetings. To reserve your spot, email [email protected].

ART

Exhibits

“CONNECTING THREADS” New Hampshire Art Association fiber art invitational exhibition features hand-dyed fabrics, Japanese weaving, fine art quilting, embroidery and felting by New England fiber artists. Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery, 136 State St., Portsmouth. On view now through March 27. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230.

• “AWAKENING” New Hampshire Art Association exhibition features members’ works inspired by the natural or inner world. Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery, 136 State St., Portsmouth. On view now through March 27. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230.

• “SETTING THE STANDARD” Exhibition features new work from League jurors in all media areas. League of New Hampshire Craftsmen headquarters, 49 S. Main St., #100, Concord. On view now through March 31. Regular exhibition hours are Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 4 p.m. Visit nhcrafts.org.

• “STITCHED TOGETHER – ELEMENTS OF NATURE FROM TEXTILE FRAGMENTS” New Hampshire Art Association exhibition features the textile collages of Cheryl Miller, inspired by the colors in nature. On view now through April 15. Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center. Gallery hours are Monday througwh Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. All work is for sale. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230.

• “APPEAL OF THE REAL: 19TH CENTURY PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD” exhibition features photographs taken throughout the Mediterranean to record the ruins of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On view now through June 12. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children under age 13 and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

• “WARHOL SCREEN TESTS” exhibition features 20 films from Andy Warhol’s silent black and white Screen Tests, shown in loops across four largescale projections. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On view March 31 through July 3. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children under age 13 and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

Tours

• NASHUA PUBLIC ART AUDIO TOUR Self-guided audio tours of the sculptures and murals in downtown Nashua, offered via the Distrx app, which uses Bluetooth iBeacon technology to automatically display photos and text and provides audio descriptions at each stop on the tour as tourists approach the works of art. Each tour has 10 to 15 stops. Free and accessible on Android and iOS on demand. Available in English and Spanish. Visit downtownnashua.org/nashua-art-tour.

Workshops and classes

• WINTER ART CLASSES Art classes for teens and adults, including Pottery, Stained Glass, Intermediate Watercolor and Clay Hand Building. Studio 550 Art Center (550 Elm St., Manchester). Five-week sessions. Classes met for two hours a week. Call 232-5597 or visit 550arts.com for the full schedule and cost details.

• DRAWING & PAINTING CLASSES Art House Studios, 66 Hanover St., Suite 202, Manchester. Classes include Drawing Fundamentals, Painting in Acrylic, Drawing: Observation to Abstraction, Exploring Mixed Media, and Figure Drawing. Class sizes are limited to six students. Visit arthousestudios.org.

• GENERAL ART CLASSES Weekly art classes are offered for both kids and adults of all skill levels and cover a variety of two-dimensional media, including drawing and painting with pastel, acrylic, watercolor and oils. Classes are held with small groups of three to eight to five students. Diane Crespo Fine Art Gallery (32 Hanover St., Manchester). Kids classes, open to kids ages 10 and up, are held on Thursdays and Fridays, from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. Adult classes are held on Thursdays, from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Tuition is pay-as-you-go at $20 per student per class and is due upon arrival. Call 493-1677 or visit dianecrespofineart.com for availability.

THEATER

Auditions

• THE BALD SOPRANO The Community Players of Concord holds open auditions for its June production of The Bald Soprano. Mon., March 21, 7 p.m., Players’ Studio, 435 Josiah Bartlett Road, Concord. Visit communityplayersofconcord.org/auditions.

Shows

• LITTLE WOMEN The Franklin Footlight Theatre presents. Franklin Opera House (316 Central St., Franklin). Thurs., March 10, through Sat., March 12, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sun., March 13, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $16 for adults and $14 for students and seniors. Visit franklinoperahouse.org or call 934-1901.

• THE SENATOR WORE PANTYHOSEBedford off Broadway presents. Now through March 13, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for general admission and $12 for seniors and students.

• CHICKEN LITTLE presented by Upside Arts. The Players’ Ring Theatre (105 Marcy St., Portsmouth). Showtimes on Sat., March 12, and Sun., March 13, at 10 a.m., and on Sun., March 20, at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost $18 for adults and $15 for kids under age 12. Visit playersring.org or call 436-8123.

• BYE BYE BIRDIE Mainstage production by The Palace Theatre. 80 Hanover St., Manchester. March 11 through April 3, with showtimes on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at noon. Tickets range from $25 to $46. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588.

• PIPPIN The Pinkerton Players present. Fri., March 25, and Sat., March 26, at 7 p.m., and Sun., March 27, at 2 p.m. Stockbridge Theatre at Pinkerton Academy, 5 Pinkerton St., Derry. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. Call 437-5210 or visit stockbridgetheatre.com.

• PUFFS! OR SEVEN INCREASINGLY EVENTFUL YEARS AT A CERTAIN SCHOOL OF MAGIC AND MAGIC Cue Zero Theatre Co. presents. Granite State Arts Academy (19 Keewaydin Drive, No. 4, Salem). Fri., April 29, through Sun., May 1. Visit cztheatre.com.

Classical

• WINTER MAINSTAGE CONCERT The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra performs. The Music Hall Historic Theater, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth. Sun., March 13, 3 p.m. Tickets cost $25 to $35 for adults, $20 for students and $25 to $30 for seniors age 60 and up. Call 436-2400 or visit themusichall.org.

• DRAWN TO THE MUSIC 2022 – STORIES IN MUSIC The New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra performs. Seifert Performing Arts Center, 44 Geremonty Drive, Salem. Sat., April 9, 2 p.m., and Sun., April 10, 2 p.m. Visit nhphil.org.

Make This

From an upcycled fashion show to a personal storytelling showcase, New Hampshire has all kinds of opportunities to learn and show off a new craft or skill.

Local makers talked about how they got into quilting, blacksmithing, 3D printing and more, and why they’ve stuck with it. If their stories have you feeling inspired to try out the craft for yourself, check out some of the upcoming programs and events listed here.

3D printing

As a home care provider, Pat Michaud of Concord is always looking for ways to help improve her clients’ quality of life. One of those ways, she found, was taking a class on 3D printing at Making Matters NH, a makerspace in Penacook.

“When I told my home care client I signed up for the class, he was excited,” Michaud said. “He is in a wheelchair, and he also owns a 3D printer … so he said I can ‘be his hands.’”

3D printed votive chicken made by Pat Michaud. Courtesy photo.

Michaud has worked with her client to 3D print a number of custom accessibility items, including a phone holder, a controller holder and a mug straw holder. For herself, she has printed household items and specialty accessories, such as votive and LED-votive chickens, ornamental chickens and Volvo key chains and other paraphernalia. Her next endeavor, she said, is providing 3D printing services for local businesses.

“I already have a person who is asking me to print things for her business,” Michaud said. “It’s exciting to me that I can use this [skill] to help other small businesses.”

Michaud said that, because she has a background in working with computers, 3D printing came easily to her; it may be more challenging for those who aren’t as tech-savvy, but the instructors at Making Matters are equipped to teach people of all levels of knowledge and experience.

“The class is amazing and so informative … and the teacher [has] so much enthusiasm about the subject,” she said. “If you want to learn a new skill, and you have the right mind to do it, it can be so fun.”

Making Matters NH (88 Village St., Penacook, 565-5443, makingmattersnh.org) is a makerspace that offers a variety of classes and workshops, including ones teaching 3D printing. “Hands-on 3D Printing for Beginners,” a one-day crash course covering the basics of 3D printing, will be offered on Saturdays, March 12 and April 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $15 for Making Matters members and $50 for nonmembers.

Port City Makerspace (68 Morning St., Portsmouth) is offering an “Intro to 3D Printing” class on Wednesdays, April 13 and June 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. The cost is $25 for members of the makerspace and $45 for nonmembers. Call 373-1002 or visit portcitymakerspace.com.

Blacksmithing

Jesse O’Brien of Danbury tried blacksmithing for the first time at a workshop offered at Sanborn Mills Farm in Loudon, which his friend encouraged him to sign up for.

“She is one of the best metalworkers I know, and she raved about taking this workshop for blacksmithing,” O’Brien said. “[After] seeing what she had made in the workshop … I had to give it a try myself.”

Metalwork by Jesse O’Brien made during a blacksmithing workshop at Sanborn Mills. Courtesy photo.

O’Brien found blacksmithing to be “surprisingly practical,” he said, and having the ability to craft his own artistic and functional metal pieces appealed to him. Plant hangers, coat hooks and custom gifts are just some of the items he has made; he also makes his own hardware for building and repair projects around his small farm property.

After his first workshop, O’Brien assembled his own small forge at home, which he uses on a regular basis, he said.

“A small forge is like a magical problem-solver which only needs some steel, coal or propane and a bit of time and ingenuity,” he said. “It’s more convenient to make things right from home instead of having to go to a store, and I can generally make something that I’m proud to own.”

O’Brien said he has plans to expand his home forge and his collection of blacksmithing tools.

“Every time I make something, I realize that it would be faster [to make] or [of] higher quality if I had one more … shape of tongs, or a hammer with a different face shape or a different shape of anvil to work against.”

Blacksmithing is a more accessible craft than it may appear, O’Brien said, and it doesn’t require a lot of strength or agility or any special physical capabilities.

“Anyone who can lift a hammer should try blacksmithing,” he said. “It’s a skillset that’s empowering and encourages anyone who tries it to learn and improve their skills.”

Sanborn Mills Farm(7097 Sanborn Road, Loudon) offers ongoing blacksmithing workshops for all ages and experience levels. The next beginner level workshop with space available is “Blacksmithing Basics,” running Friday, May 20, through Sunday, May 22, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The cost is $375. Other three-day workshops range from $225 to $400. Call 435-7314 or visit sanbornmills.org for the full schedule of workshops through November.

Fused glass

Aimee Whittemore of Henniker tried the art of fused glass for the first time a few years ago while visiting family in Arizona and “absolutely loved” it, she said. Prior to that, she had been doing stained glass.

“Now, I do both,” she said. “I love that [with fused glass] you can make things look 3D, and you can also make dishes.”

Fused glass garden ornaments made by Aimee Whittemore. Courtesy photo.

When she was starting out, she didn’t know of any glass studios in New Hampshire. Then, one afternoon, she and her husband were walking around downtown Manchester when they came across StudioVerne, the working studio and gallery of fused glass artist Verne Orlosk.

“I was so excited to see a glass studio,” Whittemore said. “We went in and talked to Verne about what she does for fused glass … [and] talked for a while about different projects that we had made. … We ended up doing three workshops at her studio.”

Over the past two years, Whittemore has created a number of fused glass pieces, including garden gnomes; a glass garden with fused flowers; ladybugs; butterflies; and a maple leaf, for which she used a fine powdered glass.

Fused glass pieces are typically put through at least two kiln processes, she explained. The first is called the “full fuse.”

“When I make a butterfly, for example, I trace my pattern onto the glass, then score the glass and … break the glass where I scored it,” she said. “Now, I have the body of my butterfly, and it needs to go in the kiln for a full fuse … which fuses the body all together and rounds the edges.”

The second process is the “tack fuse,” which fuses the design, formed with smaller glass pieces or powders, to the main piece of glass.

“There are so many different techniques you can do with fused glass,” she said. “Fusing glass is so fun, and once you get the hang of it, it comes easier.”

Studioverne Fine Art Fused Glass is a fused glass studio and gallery owned by artist Verne Orlosk in downtown Manchester. It is currently in the process of moving from Hanover Street to its new location at 412 Chestnut St. Orlosk said she will hold a grand reopening event in April. Upcoming classes and workshops are TBA. Call 490-4321 or visit studioverne.com.

Quilting

Laura Stevens of Goffstown was looking forward to taking her first quilting class at Night Owl Quilting Studio in Goffstown when the pandemic hit, putting her plans on hold.

“My mom is a quilter … [and] I sewed some as a young girl and made a little quilted pillow,” she said, “so I had been considering getting into quilting for some time.”

Not wanting to wait any longer to start her new hobby, Stevens decided to teach herself while stuck at home.

Quilt created by Laura Stevens. Courtesy photo.

“I became antsy during the pandemic … and had the free time, so I began working on a project,” she said.

Since Night Owl Quilting Studio reopened, Stevens has become “a regular” there, she said, and has participated in five different quilting programs.

“At this point, most of what I know about quilting, fabric and sewing, I’ve learned from [the classes],” she said. “It’s very satisfying to go from a bunch of fabric to something you’ve created.”

Stevens now has several quilts completed, including the one she started on her own during the pandemic shutdown, which she is “very proud of,” she said, and a wedding quilt that she made for her cousin using techniques she learned at Night Owl.

“I can’t stress enough how much I love being at the studio,” she said. “The classes … keep me on track on a project … [and give] me confidence to mix patterns and include my own spin on things.”

These local quilting studios and shops offer quilting classes, workshops and social groups. Call or see their websites for program details and schedules.

• Angels Sewing and Quilting, 236 N. Broadway, Suite G, Salem, 898-0777, angelssewing.com

• Aunt Mary’s Quilting, 43 Stark Road, Derry, 845-9380, auntmarysquilting.com

• Bits ’n Pieces Quilt Shop, 70 Bridge St., Pelham, 635-9705, bnpquilts.com

• Maple Leaf Stitchin Studio, 1022 Dover Road, Unit 3, Epsom, 736-0256, mapleleafstitchinstudiollc.com

• Night Owl Quilting Studio, 35 Main St., Goffstown, 384-2557, nightowlquiltingstudio.com

• Patches Quilt Loft, 1442 Candia Road, Manchester, 206-5490, patchesquiltloft.com

• Pine Tree Quilt Shop, 224 N. Broadway, Salem Market Place, Salem, 870-8100, pinetreequiltshop.com

Storytelling

Tom Ostberg of Windham is a regular performer of True Tales Live, a monthly storytelling series based in Portsmouth and aired on Portsmouth Public Media TV.

An avid outdoorsman, Ostberg focuses much of his storytelling on his adventures in nature.

“I have hiked the Appalachian Trail, gone canoeing, and camp every chance I get, so I continue to collect … stories,” he said. “Through these experiences of mine, I have learned the lessons that have shaped my life.”

In one of his favorite stories, Ostberg said, he describes a memorable night he spent in a wooden shelter in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee while hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Storyteller Tom Ostberg performs in a True Tales Live showcase. Photo credit John Lovering.

“I … [found] out in the middle of the night that [the shelter] had nightly visits by a family of skunks,” he said. “I connected with a young man, who was also afraid, [which] taught me a powerful lesson about respect.”

Another story he’s especially proud of, Ostberg said, recounts his “great adventure” catching feral honey bees in the woods for his home apiary while his wife was out of town.

“I love the way people light up with excitement when they hear an adventure story,” he said. “It transports us to a different place — a place we may not have ever been to before.”

While it can be nerve-wracking sharing deeply personal stories with strangers, Ostberg said, the audience’s reaction often helps to put him at ease.

“They’re so welcoming, down to earth and so easy to connect with,” he said. “They’re always full of laughter and … are feeling the moment with you.

The skills involved in the craft of storytelling also have a valuable place outside of the arts, Ostberg said.

“It’s useful in many other settings, [such as] business meetings, sharing and connecting with your friends and even family gatherings,” he said. “It’s inspiring for the teller, entertaining for the audience and opens up people to experience others’ lives.”

True Tales Live is a Portsmouth-based storytelling showcase held on the last Tuesday of the month (no shows in July and August) from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Shows have been held over Zoom during the pandemic but will be held in person at the Portsmouth Public Media TV Studio (280 Marcy St.) starting in April. They will return to the Zoom format for the winter starting in November. Each month’s showcase is centered around a different theme. The series is free and open to all who want to watch or participate as a storyteller. Pre-registration for attendees is required for Zoom shows but not required for in-person shows. Additionally, True Tales Live hosts free storytelling workshops on the first Tuesday of every month (except November) from 7 to 8:30 p.m. over Zoom. Registration is required for workshops. Visit truetaleslivenh.org to register for a workshop or attend a show, and email [email protected] if you’re interested in being a storyteller.

The New Hampshire Storytelling Alliance is a nonprofit organization that promotes the tradition and art of storytelling throughout the state. For more storytelling resources, including upcoming storytelling events, storytelling groups and a directory of professional storytellers, visit the NHSA website, nhstorytelling.org.

Upcycled fashion

Sixteen-year-old Amelia Bickford of Wolfeboro said she has always enjoyed “making and inventing things” from found materials, including recyclables like cardboard and plastic, so when her dad told her he had heard about an all-ages upcycled fashion show happening in Wolfeboro this spring, she jumped at the opportunity.

“Before now, my costumes and art haven’t really been seen by anyone other than my friends and family,” Bickford said. “I thought it would be a good challenge and would also be a cool way to meet others like me.”

Upcycled Fashion Show designer Amelia Bickford shows off her upcycled fingerless gloves and necklace. Courtesy photo.

Bickford is participating in the Upcycled Fashion Show as a member of a group of designers that is creating fashion pieces inspired by the characters and aesthetic of Alice in Wonderland.

Her favorite pieces that she has made so far include a chainmail necklace made of soda can tabs and a pair of fingerless gloves made from disposable plastic grocery bags.

“Upcycled fashion is … a great way to experiment artistically and … experiment with style,” she said. “There is always a way to make something look or be the way you want it to be; you only have to find out how, then do it.”

Lynn Willscher of Wolfeboro, another designer in the show, said she learned to sew in her high school home economics class in the 1960s and has been sewing her own home goods and clothing ever since. Her pieces for the show include four shop aprons in different styles made from old pairs of jeans.

“I was interested in using something that just about everyone owns,” Willscher said.

Upcycling, as a craft, she said, is “about transforming the old into the new and, in the process, increasing its value,” but it also has a larger purpose.

“[It’s] a great opportunity to draw further attention to the tremendous need the world has for recycling and reducing waste,” she said.

The Upcycled Fashion Show, presented by Makers Mill and the Governor Wentworth Arts Council, will be held on Saturday, April 23, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Makers Mill (23 Bay St., Wolfeboro). The event invites designers of all ages to create wearable art with at least 75 percent of the materials being recycled, reused or repurposed. Registration for designers is free and open now through the end of March or until participation is full. Groups and individuals are welcome. Tickets for spectators cost $5 purchased in advance and $7 purchased at the door. Additionally, a workshop, “Attachments & Embellishments,” will be offered on Saturday, March 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Brewster Academy (80 Academy Drive, Wolfeboro) in Room 103 of the Rogers Building Student Center. Participants will learn skills such as ancient lashing techniques, traditional zippers, basic buttons and hand and machine techniques; and about how to embellish a garment with dye, paint, hand sewing, hot glue and machine techniques. The workshop is open to registered designers for free and to the general public for a cost of $15. Visit makersmill.org/blog or call 569-1500.

Featured photo: Fused glass pieces made by Aimee Whittemore. Courtesy photo.

Weekend scientist

Meet Aspire Intern Vick Mahindru

Over the last five months, Manchester High School West sophomore Vick Mahindru has had the unique opportunity of working with staff at the SEE Science Center in Manchester to develop and test the museum’s hands-on STEM exhibits. The Aspire Internship, offered at SEE in partnership with Sunrise Labs, a medical device engineering company in Bedford, is awarded each year to a local student of color who is interested in pursuing a career in science or education.

How did you discover this internship, and what made you want to apply for it?

What made me apply for this internship was that I always wanted to learn more about engineering, since it is one of my career interests, and evaluate and design different prototypes and then see the finished product at the end. I became aware of the internship [through] another opportunity, the Health Career Quest weekly class. In that class, every week [the organizers] would bring in guests to the meetings who were [in] health-, medical- and science-related [fields]. One day the guests were [from] the SEE Science Center, and they were telling us about their engineering feats such as the iBOT electric wheelchair, which interested me a lot in applying for this internship. I then officially wrote my cover letter and resume and submitted it and made sure to explain what this internship in particular meant to me.

What does it involve? What kinds of things do you do when you’re at the museum?

This internship involves learning about engineering, working with kids [and] collaborating with others…. The kinds of things I do when I’m at the museum are: I get to collaborate with the exhibit team and outside contractors to create exhibit prototypes; help to design evaluation tools … such as prototypes for Social Science Research [an academic journal]; and conduct research for exhibit topics such as the Amoskeag Mills.

Do you have any ideas about what you would like to study or pursue as a career in the future?
Yes, after my experience at this internship [and] with multiple extracurricular [activities], I am trying to narrow it down, [based on] my interests and skills, to a couple of career fields, such as engineering, medical, software engineering, orthodontics, real estate, nanotechnology engineering, Lego design, [a field that’s] music-related and the CIA.

What are some skills you’re learning at the museum that you think could be applicable to your future education and career?

I am learning in this internship … [about] how to build and test prototypes; resume-building; collaborating with others; workflow pacing [and] time management; and [how] to help design evaluation tools for social science research.


What is your favorite part of doing this internship?

My favorite part of this internship was every week, going on Sundays and working toward my goals, such as learning more about engineering, how to build and test prototypes and how to be more efficient and productive, and then seeing all those goals come to reality nearing the end of my internship.

What has been the most challenging part?

There weren’t really any challenging parts of this internship besides [having to] work individually on projects I was assigned and then give updates to my supervisor, which I was hesitant [to do] at first, but then [the projects] came out great.

Would you recommend this internship to other students? What kind of student do you think would be a good fit for it?

Yes, I definitely would recommend this internship to other students. The kinds of students that I would think would be a good fit for this internship are students who can give 100 percent commitment and reliability to this internship.

Featured photo: Manchester High School West sophomore Vick Mahindru. Courtesy photo.

On The Job – Lou Saviano

Lou Saviano

Compost collector

Lou Saviano and his fiance, Meagan Boucher, are the owners of Renewal Garden & Compost, a residential compost pick-up business serving the greater Manchester area.

Explain your job.

Primarily, we collect food scraps from households, businesses and events [and] process the food scraps into compost to be used as a soil additive at farms and for gardening. … We [also] offer backyard raised garden builds and vegetable and meat CSA delivery. Our goal is to divert waste from going into landfills and turn it into nutrient-rich soil … to help support local farms.

How long have you had this job?

We started Renewal one year ago.

What led you to this career field and your current job?

I studied environmental science at the University of New Hampshire. When workplaces started to shut down … [and] my place of work quickly switched from an office to remote … I gave the work-from-home a chance, which gave me a lot of time to reflect. … I remembered why I had chosen to study environmental science. I wanted to work outdoors, but here I was, sitting at a computer. I realized I needed a change, and we started talking about starting our own business. … There’s a need for compost pick-up in Manchester and surrounding towns; many people don’t have the space to do it themselves. It all seemed like a natural fit to begin this journey.

What kind of education or training did you need?

Although it wasn’t necessary for starting a compost business, [studying at] UNH did provide a foundation for this passion. I was fortunate enough to work on both the organic and conventional dairy farms. What’s required for starting a business is patience and perseverance. I’ve also obtained my certificate in solid waste management in order to process compost, according to New Hampshire DES rules.

What is your typical at-work uniform or attire? 

Wrangler [jeans in] Cowboy Cut, a Renewal T-shirt, good dirt-working boots, Darn Tough socks, a ballcap, sunglasses if it’s hot and a flannel if it’s cold.

What do you wish you’d known at the beginning of your career?

Part of the fun of owning our own business is figuring out how we’re going to solve problems that arise. One thing that has been interesting to troubleshoot is frozen compost in 64-gallon totes. … In extremely cold temperatures, not all of the material can be emptied. At first we tried using hand tools to chip away at the frozen compost but quickly realized it was more efficient to invest in extra containers and switch the frozen ones out for empty ones, then store the frozen containers and wait until a warmer day [to empty them]. [Challenges] like this are what make the job interesting.

What do you wish other people knew about your job? 

Many people have heard about composting but aren’t yet aware that we’ll do the work for them. Our job is to make composting easy for households and businesses. Also, I’d like people to think of food scraps as useful material. If you switch to that mindset, we can divert waste from filling our landfills … and turn it into nutrient-rich material.

What was the first job you ever had?

Market Basket cart collector extraordinaire.

What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received? 

No matter what it is [that you do], choose it.

Five favorites

Favorite book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Favorite movie: The Fighter 
Favorite music:  Country, [especially] Toby Keith
Favorite food: Lobster
Favorite thing about NH: The outdoors. We’re so fortunate to have a ton of outdoor activity options with the White Mountains, the Atlantic Ocean and so many lakes, ponds and rivers all right here in the state.

Featured photo: Lou Saviano and fiance Meagan Boucher. Courtesy photo.

The Art Roundup 22/03/03

The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities

• Printmaking exhibition: Catch Two Villages Art Society’s exhibition “For the Love of Impression” at the Bates Building (846 Main St., Contoocook) before it’s gone on Saturday, March 5. The exhibition features eight local artists who are members of the group New Hampshire Printmakers. Their work utilizes traditional techniques and materials, combined with contemporary aesthetics, new materials and new technology. “Printmaking is a time-honored artistic process in which images are transferred from a wooden, metal or glass matrix onto another surface, such as paper or fabric,” Two Villages Art Society president Alyssa McKeon said in a press release. All pieces are for sale. Gallery hours are Thursday through Saturday, from noon to 4 p.m. Visit twovillagesart.org or call 413-210-4372.

• Auditions for Macbeth: Manchester-based Cue Zero Theatre Co. is looking for actors for its June production, an original female-driven interpretation of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth by Cue Zero’s artistic director Dan Pelletier. “It can be argued that all of the important action of the play is motivated by the ambitions and desires of Lady Macbeth,” Pelletier said in a press release, “and I want to lean into that; make her the central focus and maybe even the cause of every plot point.” Auditions will be held on Sunday, March 13, from 3 to 6 p.m., and Tuesday, March 15, from 6 to 9 p.m., with callbacks, if needed, on Thursday, March 17, from 6 to 9 p.m., and will take place in person at Granite State Arts Academy (19 Keewaydin Drive, No. 4, Salem). Performers should sign up for a timeslot in advance on the Cue Zero website and prepare two contrasting Shakespearean monologues totaling no more than four minutes combined. Actors will rehearse three days a week between Sunday and Thursday based on their availability. The performance is planned for Friday, June 17, through Sunday, June 19, at the Derry Opera House. Visit cztheatre.com or email [email protected].

Nature textiles
The New Hampshire Art Association presents an exhibition “Stitched Together – Elements of Nature from Textile Fragments,” featuring the work of Cheryl Miller, at the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center (49 S. Main St., Concord) now through April 15. Miller, a textile artist, creates fabric collages using hand dyed cottons, batik and machine-stitched vintage fabrics. The exhibit includes a series of her textile collages inspired by the colors in nature. “The compositions are mostly abstract but also incorporate some elements of landscape, trees or leaves,” she said in a press release. “The idea of these pieces is to evoke a mood through the use of color and focus on small details in nature.” Gallery hours at the Chamber are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. All works are for sale. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230.

• High standards: The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s triennial exhibit “Setting the Standard” is on view now through March 31 at its headquarters gallery (49 S. Main St., No. 100, Concord). The exhibit features new works by 45 League jurors, master craftsmen who volunteer to work with League hopefuls and review their work to uphold the League’s standard of artistic excellence. A variety of media is represented, including wood, textile, clay and metal. “These works … will reflect the spirit of the maker,” League executive director Miriam Carter said in a press release. “Given the difficulties faced during the past several months, the work of our members takes on an almost indomitable nature, mixing the strength and resilience of the artists with the vulnerability that we have all experienced,” Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. Pieces are for sale and can be picked up when the exhibit closes. Visit nhcrafts.org or call 224-3375.

Ancient World photographs
The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester) presents an exhibition, “Appeal of the Real: 19th Century Photographs of the Ancient World,” now through June 12. It features photographs of the ruins of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, taken prior to when tourists could take their own photographs, often at the request of wealthy European and American tourists. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17, and is free for children under age 13 and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

• Little Women on stage: The Franklin Footlight Theatre presents a production of Little Women at the Franklin Opera House (316 Central St., Franklin) with showtimes Thursday, March 10, through Saturday, March 12, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 13, at 2 p.m. Based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic 1869 novel, the play follows the adventures of four sisters living with their mother in Massachusetts while their father is fighting in the Civil War. Tickets cost $16 for adults and $14 for students and seniors. Visit franklinoperahouse.org or call 934-1901.

• Political comedy: Theater company Bedford off Broadway presents The Senator Wore Pantyhose at the Bedford Old Town Hall (70 Bedford Center Road, Bedford) from March 4 through March 13, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. The comedy by Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore centers on a failing presidential campaign where the candidate’s unwavering integrity and honesty are set against a sleazy campaign manager who will do whatever it takes to win votes. Tickets cost $15 for general admission and $12 for seniors and students. See “Bedford off Broadway” on Facebook.

Poetic movement
ANIKAYA Dance Theater will perform Conference of the Birds at the Stockbridge Theatre (Pinkerton Academy, 5 Pinkerton St., Derry) on Tuesday, March 8, at 7 p.m. The multimedia movement theater work, created by a team of artists from 10 different countries, tells modern-day stories of migration through the lens of the Persian epic poem of the same name by Farid Ud din Attar. Tickets range from $5 to $30. Call 437-5210 or visit stockbridgetheatre.com.

ART

Exhibits

• “FOR THE LOVE OF IMPRESSION” Art exhibition features prints that were created using traditional techniques and materials, combined with contemporary aesthetics, new materials, and technology by eight local artists, all of whom are members of the artist group New Hampshire Printmakers. Bates Building (846 Main St., Contoocook). On view now through March 5. All of the pieces in the exhibition are for sale. Current gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m. Visit twovillagesart.org or call 413-210-4372.

•“CONNECTING THREADS” New Hampshire Art Association fiber art invitational exhibition features hand-dyed fabrics, Japanese weaving, fine art quilting, embroidery and felting by New England fiber artists. NHAA’s Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery, 136 State St., Portsmouth. On view now through March 27. Opening reception at the gallery on Fri., March 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230.

• “AWAKENING” New Hampshire Art Association exhibition features members’ works inspired by the natural or inner world. NHAA’s Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery, 136 State St., Portsmouth. On view now through March 27. Opening reception at the gallery on Fri., March 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230.

• “SETTING THE STANDARD” exhibition features new work from League jurors in all media areas. League of New Hampshire Craftsmen headquarters, 49 S. Main St., #100, Concord. On view now through March 31. Regular exhibition hours are Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 4 p.m. Visit nhcrafts.org.

• “STITCHED TOGETHER – ELEMENTS OF NATURE FROM TEXTILE FRAGMENTS” New Hampshire Art Association exhibition features the textile collages of Cheryl Miller, inspired by the colors in nature. On view now through April 15. Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. All work is for sale. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230.

• “APPEAL OF THE REAL: 19TH CENTURY PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD” exhibition features photographs taken throughout the Mediterranean to record the ruins of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On view now through June 12. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children under age 13 and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

• “WARHOL SCREEN TESTS” exhibition features 20 films from Andy Warhol’s silent black and white Screen Tests, shown in loops across four largescale projections. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On view March 31 through July 3. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children under age 13 and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

• “ARGHAVAN KHOSRAVI” Artist’s surrealist paintings explore themes of exile, freedom and empowerment; center female protagonists; and allude to human rights issues, particularly those affecting women and immigrants. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On view April 14 through Sept. 5. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children under age 13 and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

• “ECHOES: ABSTRACT PAINTING TO MODERN QUILTING” exhibition features abstract paintings inspired by the bold colors, asymmetry, improvisational layout, alternate grid work and negative space in composition of modern quilting. Two Villages Art Society (46 Main St., Contoocook). April 22 through May 14. Visit twovillagesart.org.

“NATURE AT NIGHT: PAINTINGS BY OWEN KRZYZANIAK GEARY” Two Villages Art Society (46 Main St., Contoocook). May 27 through June 18. Visit twovillagesart.org.

• “NEW HAMPSHIRE NOW” A collaborative photography project presented by the New Hampshire Historical Society and the New Hampshire Society of Photographic Artists, on display in eight exhibitions at museums and historical societies across the state. Nearly 50 photographers participated in the project, taking more than 5,000 photos of New Hampshire people, places, culture and events from 2018 to 2020 to create a 21st-century portrait of life in the Granite State. Exhibition locations include Belknap Mill Society in Laconia; Colby-Sawyer College in New London; Portsmouth Historical Society; Historical Society of Cheshire County in Keene; the Manchester Historic Association; Museum of the White Mountains at Plymouth State University; and the Tillotson Center in Colebrook; with the flagship exhibition at the New Hampshire Historical Society in Concord. Visit newhampshirenow.org and nhhistory.org.

• ART ON MAIN The City of Concord and the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce present a year-round outdoor public art exhibition in Concord’s downtown featuring works by professional sculptors. All sculptures will be for sale. Visit concordnhchamber.com/creativeconcord, call 224-2508 or email [email protected].

Tours

• NASHUA PUBLIC ART AUDIO TOUR Self-guided audio tours of the sculptures and murals in downtown Nashua, offered via the Distrx app, which uses Bluetooth iBeacon technology to automatically display photos and text and provides audio descriptions at each stop on the tour as tourists approach the works of art. Each tour has 10 to 15 stops. Free and accessible on Android and iOS on demand. Available in English and Spanish. Visit downtownnashua.org/nashua-art-tour.

Workshops and classes

• WINTER ART CLASSES Art classes for teens and adults, including Pottery, Stained Glass, Intermediate Watercolor and Clay Hand Building. Studio 550 Art Center (550 Elm St., Manchester). Five-week sessions. Classes met for two hours a week. Call 232-5597 or visit 550arts.com for the full schedule and cost details.

• DRAWING & PAINTING CLASSES Art House Studios, 66 Hanover St., Suite 202, Manchester. Classes include Drawing Fundamentals, Painting in Acrylic, Drawing: Observation to Abstraction, Exploring Mixed Media, and Figure Drawing. Class sizes are limited to six students. Visit arthousestudios.org.

• GENERAL ART CLASSES Weekly art classes are offered for both kids and adults of all skill levels and cover a variety of two-dimensional media, including drawing and painting with pastel, acrylic, watercolor and oils. Classes are held with small groups of three to eight to five students. Diane Crespo Fine Art Gallery (32 Hanover St., Manchester). Kids classes, open to kids ages 10 and up, are held on Thursdays and Fridays, from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. Adult classes are held on Thursdays, from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Tuition is pay-as-you-go at $20 per student per class and is due upon arrival. Call 493-1677 or visit dianecrespofineart.com for availability.

THEATER

Auditions

• THE BALD SOPRANO The Community Players of Concord holds open auditions for its June production of The Bald Soprano. Mon., March 21, 7 p.m., Players’ Studio, 435 Josiah Bartlett Road, Concord. Visit communityplayersofconcord.org/auditions.

Shows

• LIFESPAN OF A FACT Produced by Lend Me a Theater. The Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord). Now through March 6. Showtimes are on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $22 for adults, $19 for students, seniors and members and $16 for senior members. Visit hatboxnh.com.

• DEADLY Cue Zero Theatre Co. presents an original movement-based theater piece by Crystal Rose Welch. Granite State Arts Academy (19 Keewaydin Drive, No. 4, Salem). Fri., March 4, through Sun., March 6. Visit cztheatre.com.

• THE SENATOR WORE PANTYHOSEBedford off Broadway presents. March 4 through March 13, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for general admission and $12 for seniors and students.

• CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS Multimedia movement theater work inspired by the epic poem of Farid Ud din Attar embodying modern-day stories of migration. Tues., March 8, 7 p.m. Stockbridge Theatre at Pinkerton Academy, 5 Pinkerton St., Derry. Tickets range from $5 to $30. Call 437-5210 or visit stockbridgetheatre.com.

• LITTLE WOMEN The Franklin Footlight Theatre presents. Franklin Opera House (316 Central St., Franklin). Thurs., March 10, through Sat., March 12, 7:30 p.m.; and Sun., March 13, 2 p.m. Tickets cost $16 for adults and $14 for students and seniors. Visit franklinoperahouse.org or call 934-1901.

• BYE BYE BIRDIE Mainstage production by The Palace Theatre. 80 Hanover St., Manchester. March 11 through April 3. Tickets range from $25 to $46. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588.

• CHICKEN LITTLE presented by Upside Arts. The Players’ Ring Theatre (105 Marcy St., Portsmouth). March 12 through March 20, with showtimes on Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $18 for adults and $15 for kids under age 12. Visit playersring.org or call 436-8123.

• PIPPIN The Pinkerton Players present. Fri., March 25, and Sat., March 26, at 7 p.m., and Sun., March 27, at 2 p.m. Stockbridge Theatre at Pinkerton Academy, 5 Pinkerton St., Derry. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. Call 437-5210 or visit stockbridgetheatre.com.

• PUFFS! OR SEVEN INCREASINGLY EVENTFUL YEARS AT A CERTAIN SCHOOL OF MAGIC AND MAGIC Cue Zero Theatre Co. presents. Granite State Arts Academy (19 Keewaydin Drive, No. 4, Salem). Fri., April 29, through Sun., May 1. Visit cztheatre.com.

• MUSICAL MOM Produced by the Community Players of Concord. The Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord). May 5 through May 15. Showtimes are on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $22 for students, seniors and members and $19 for senior members. Visit hatboxnh.com.

• LAST GAS Produced by the Community Players of Concord. Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St., Concord. Fri., May 6, through Sun., May 8. Tickets cost $18 for adults, $16 for youth ages 17 and under, $16 for seniors age 65 and up. Visit communityplayersofconcord.org.

• THE BALD SOPRANO Produced by the Community Players of Concord. The Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord). June 17 through June 26. Showtimes are on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $22 for adults, $19 for students, seniors and members and $16 for senior members. Visit hatboxnh.com.

Classical

• WINTER MAINSTAGE CONCERT The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra performs. The Music Hall Historic Theater, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth. Sun., March 13, 3 p.m. Tickets cost $25 to $35 for adults, $20 for students and $25 to $30 for seniors age 60 and up. Call 436-2400 or visit themusichall.org.

• DRAWN TO THE MUSIC 2022 – STORIES IN MUSIC The New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra performs. Seifert Performing Arts Center, 44 Geremonty Drive, Salem. Sat., April 9, 2 p.m., and Sun., April 10, 2 p.m. Visit nhphil.org.

Care for carers

SNHMC welcomes new chief nurse

Meet Susan Santana, the new vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua.

What is your background in health care?

I came from Lowell General Hospital, and I’ve been a nurse for over 30 years in various leadership positions. I have extensive experience driving and improving nursing practice. … I have a lot of experience in the Magnet designation program and the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s program, which is a designation for excellence in patient care, and that has really been the footprint that has driven much of what I’ve done as a leader in nursing. … I would say that, as a leader, I’m compassionate, visible, accessible and approachable. I’m focused on the work environment for nurses and also, more broadly, for all health care workers. My No. 1 professional passion is to create an environment that empowers the voices of the nurses so that they can provide quality care for patients, and to create a culture of teamwork and shared decision-making.

What does your job entail?

I oversee all of the nurses and their practice at Southern New Hampshire Health. I’m visible to the frontline nursing department, and I work collaboratively with the non-clinical departments, as well, with the goal of improving care for our patients [at SNHMC], and patients within our community. I’m involved in driving strategy that makes for a very strong Patient Care Services Division and positioning us to be the best place to work and the best place to practice medicine.

What are some of the biggest challenges in the nursing field right now?

I would say that the biggest challenges are staffing and the impact that the pandemic has had on the health care environment as a whole. There is a shortage of nurses. Many people are deciding to leave health care due to the effects of the pandemic. We’re working very closely on recruitment, retention and growing our workforce. Workforce development and professional development of our employees is of great importance, so we’re making sure that we’re partnering with human resources and posting those positions. … Also, because there aren’t enough nurses, the nurses are often working overtime, and they do get tired, so it’s very important that we support those nurses who are working tirelessly to care for our patients.

What do you hope to accomplish in your role?

To bring pride and excellence to the nursing division, to continue the good work that’s been started by this organization and to create a work environment that is a magnet for people to want to work in. … My vision is to have an engaged workforce that simply enjoys and loves the work that they do, and a workforce that is driven by the outcomes of their patients and in being involved in making a difference by improving the care of the patients.

What do you find rewarding about your work?

Helping to grow our young nurses and to mentor them as young leaders. Seeing that growth is very rewarding, and you don’t see it everywhere. The culture here at [SNHMC] is very special, and the teamwork and commitment of its employees is really second to none, so being in an environment like that is certainly rewarding, as well.

Why should someone consider a career in nursing?

I would say that nursing is one of the most rewarding fields that you can go into. There are endless opportunities as a nurse in this health care environment. There’s nursing inside of health care organizations, nursing in the community, the business side of nursing — there’s something for everyone in the nursing profession.

Featured photo: Susan Santana. Courtesy photo.

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