Category: Art & Theater

Teen wellness program at Currier Museum of Art aims to create connections through art

On Monday, Jan. 22, the Currier Museum of Art’s free Creative Connections teen program will begin its winter session, which will run on Mondays through Feb. 12 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

“We actually began this program in 2020,” said Corie Lyford, the manager of art and wellness programs. “The thought was, ‘What can we provide for teens, especially at that time while they [are] at home, that can help with the anxiety that they’re experiencing around the closures and … everything that was happening in society at the time?’ We found it to be really successful. … Our main goals are really about that personal creative development, finding ways of finding creative expression and relationship building.”

Over the course of the program, which began happening in person in 2021, teens will create an open-ended project, drawing from the galleries as inspiration, primarily the Currier’s current exhibition by Saya Woolfalk, ‘Heart of a Museum.’

“They are going to look at how she did this world-building and how she created something where she was inspired by some of our permanent collection here at the Currier,” Lyford said. “They’ll be learning about the exhibition and … about the artist and then taking that idea of being inspired by something here at the collection and taking that in the direction they choose.”

Each session will begin with time in the gallery for tours to learn about the exhibitions. Then participants will have the chance to share what they see with each other. Afterward they will move to the studio to start brainstorming ideas for their project that they will build upon in the subsequent weeks.

“Once they’ve gone through some sketches and … [had] some discussion, they’ll get to the next steps of those creative processes,” Lyford said. “They’ll think about media and they’ll start working with what they choose, so that might be paint, that might be something else. … Our instructor will be there to support them in that to figure out what supplies they’re going to want to use, how they [can] best use them and how they can collaborate with each other, share ideas and create something really wonderful.”

Lyford says wellness means creating a sense of community. Through this program, she hopes teens build relationships with one another while finding respite and relaxation as well as a creative outlet.

“I hope that we have teens who find new ways to express themselves creatively, and I really do hope that they find tools that they can continue to use in their own lives,” Lyford said. “I also hope for [them] to learn something about themselves through the art that makes them want to come back. … When we run Creative Connections again in the spring, it’ll be a whole new curriculum, and so we do hope for teens to engage with us again.”

Creative Connections for teens
When: Mondays, Jan. 22, Jan. 29, Feb. 5 and Feb. 12, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Where: Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St., Manchester, currier.org

Featured photo: Creative Connections at the Currier Museum of Art. Courtesy photo.

Experts talk about their 2023 achievements

From musicals, festivals, murals and new exhibitions, 2023 was an eventful year for the arts scene. To look back on the highlights of the year and to see what lies ahead in the new year,

we caught up with museums, theater companies and others involved in New Hampshire’s art community.

Meg Gore is the artistic director, manager and founder of Ovation Theatre Company in Londonderry. This year they’ve produced shows such as Little Shop of Horrors, Newsies and Mean Girls among others. Here is how the year went for them and what lies on the horizon for 2024.

What show from 2023 that you were involved in are you most proud of and why?

In 2023, Ovation Theatre Company produced the poignant drama Dark Road. I am very proud of the director, Tim Gore, and the entire cast and crew for tackling and successfully presenting this difficult material.

What show that you weren’t involved in did you enjoy most as a spectator and why?

This year I saw several productions that I was not involved with and thoroughly enjoyed. Most recently I saw a production of Arsenic and Old Lace put on by the Python Players at Pelham High School and directed by Shannon Krumlauf. What I appreciate about Shannon is that she singlehandedly provides a safe place for the students to express themselves and an opportunity for them to share their talents with others. In this production, all of the students portrayed their characters with conviction and heart.

What shows are you most looking forward to in 2024?

In 2024 I’m looking forward to many new experiences with Ovation Theatre Company. I am excited to rock out and relive the ’80s with Rock of Ages [Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4]. I am also thrilled to be directing the spectacular musical Legally Blonde [running Friday, July 19, and Saturday, July 20] and working with a combined cast that will include adults, college and high school students. And in the fall Ovation is excited to bring the reimagined enchanted tale of Cinderella to life with magical costumes and classic music.

From the Manchester International Film Festival to the Manchester Citywide Arts Festival, the Palace Theatre had quite the year. Here’s what David Rousseau, the director of sales and marketing, had to say about it.

What show from 2023 that you were involved in are you most proud of and why?

Kinky Boots. It was the first time the Palace Theatre was producing this professional show and I and my staff were responsible for the entire marketing of the four-week show. The end result: incredible. Ticket sales and so many new faces in the audience made it a true success. Amazing choreography by Carl Rajotte, our artistic director.

What show that you weren’t involved in did you enjoy most as a spectator and why?

The Palace Theatre’s celebration of Night of 1,000 Stars. This is the end-of-the-year tribute to all graduating seniors from the Palace Youth Theatre program. These are children that have matured into young adults, constantly gaining confidence and self-respect for themselves and the amazing wonderful friends they have met and acted with along the way. [It was] just a wonderful evening of celebration that included the granting of more than 20 college scholarships to many graduating seniors!

What events or shows are you most looking forward to in 2024?

The Children’s Summer Series, the professional productions of Dancing Queens, The Prom, Beautiful, 42nd Street, A Christmas Carol and all of the many Palace and Rex Theatre shows, performers and patrons.

2023 was a noteworthy year for the visual arts as well. We checked in with Yasamin Safarzadeh from Kimball Jenkins art school in Concord to see how things went there.

What show or exhibit from 2023 that you were involved in are you most proud of and why?

We had two completed murals with two different groups of interest from Waypoint and MyTurn.

There is extensive coverage of the latter in 603 Diversity, but the former did not [yet] receive too much coverage. These interns, about 15 a piece, were paid for their labor for over six weeks of work! Incredible. We also had a blast for our annual fundraiser, this year called Equinox.

What show or exhibit that you weren’t involved in did you enjoy most as a spectator and why?

I thoroughly enjoyed visiting Akwesasne and seeing their annual art and craft market. It was incredible to see the whole community turn out for the event and to meet so many people from a sovereign nation.

What events or shows are you most looking forward to in 2024?

[I’m] looking forward to having some of the Akwesasne artists come down to Kimball Jenkins for a three-month-long show with curator Margaret Jacobs! Many different nations will be represented for this contemporary indigenous show and the curatorial preparations have been great and we are so honored to be hosting this show.

The Currier Museum of Art knows the importance of diversity and representation, which they displayed this year through their exhibits and, according to their press contact, Courtney Starrett, plan to continue in the new year.

What show/exhibit from 2023 that you were involved in are you most proud of and why?

The Currier was delighted to display the current exhibition ‘Heart of a Museum: Saya Woolfalk’— on view though Feb. 4 — shining a light on diversifying representation in museum galleries. Woofalk’s immersive and mesmerizing installations reimagine the narrative of traditional museum art work by predominantly white male artists. She takes it a step further by including cosmic and universal elements, reminding the viewer that we are all connected — to each other, to nature, to the universe as a whole.

What show that you weren’t involved in did you enjoy most as a spectator and why?

We were thrilled to recently host the Manchester Choral Society on Dec. 2. It’s always amazing to hear their voices soar with the beautiful acoustics of the 1929 Historic Court and see families and friends come back each year for this seasonal tradition.

What events or shows are you most looking forward to in 2024?

The museum looks forward to welcoming in the work of artist Kara Walker this spring, featuring her series ‘Harper’s Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated),’ which continues our commitment to showing the best in American art. The show offers us an opportunity to process the brutality of enslavement by retelling the story of emancipation. Beautifully constructed, Kara Walker’s artwork adds critical voices into our gallery through her visually impactful approach to storytelling.

In September, Mike Howat and Fallon Andrews opened Pillar Gallery and Projects (205 N. State St., Concord) with the intention of providing a hub for artists and the community. Here’s how their first few months have been.

What exhibit from 2023 that you were involved in are you most proud of and why?

‘Flora & Fauna’ [and] opening the gallery. We opened in September with our inaugural exhibition, ‘Flora & Fauna,’ and we worked with a range of artists we admire. Connecting a range of creators and seeing the support from the community has been inspiring. ‘Flora & Fauna’ was meant to shake up what curatorial projects mean in New Hampshire and [we] have been excited at the response. We are looking forward to transforming the space with every show.

What show that you weren’t involved in did you enjoy most as a spectator and why?

Katzman Contemporary’s ‘Paint Pals: Good Enough for Our House’ features an artist takeover of the space by five regional artists. It’s an amazingly immersive show with floor-to-ceiling murals covering every surface of the gallery walls, as well as exhibited works on the murals by the artists. The space is entirely transformed with subjects ranging from geometric abstraction, to street art-inspired work and expressionism. Katzman Contemporary has become a regional hub and gathering place for artists in the Northeast. Their openings are always exciting, and you’re always likely to run into some good people and artists.

What events or shows are you most looking forward to in 2024?

We’re really looking to see our neighboring business, State Street Kitchen, run culinary events, ghost kitchens and classes in the new year. The community kitchen space opened last month with a lot of community excitement. There will be classes on knife skills, running a kitchen and a range of culinary education. The space will also have pop-up events of local chefs and bakers. We’re excited to see how the project develops and grows.

In 2024
Palace Theatre Youth presents Mean Girls
When: Wednesday, Jan. 24; Thursday, Jan. 25; Wednesday, Jan. 31, and Thursday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m.
Where: Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester
More info: palacetheatre.org

Majestic Theatre presents Footloose the musical youth edition
When: Friday, Jan. 26, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 22, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 28, 2 p.m.
More info: Derry Opera House, 29 W. Broadway, Derry

Polymer Clay Workshop
When: Friday, Feb. 2, 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: Manchester Craft Market, 1500 S. Willow St.
More info: manchestercraftmarket.com

Community Players of Concord presents Witness for the Prosecution
When: Friday, Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 18, 2 p.m.
Where: Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St., Concord
More info: communityplayersofconcord.org

Theatre Kapow presents On the Exhale
When: Friday, Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 18, 2 p.m.
Where: Bank of NH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord
More info: tkapow.com

BB King photographs by Charlie Sawyer
When: January through February, dates TBD
Where: Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St., Concord

14th Annual New England Winter Blues Festival: A Gulf Coast Records Review
When: Thursday, Feb, 15, 7:30 to 10 p.m.
Where: The Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester
More info: rextheatre.org

Featured photo: Ovation production of Mean Girls. Courtesy photo.

New class at Currier Museum of Art looks at behavior of color

Registration is now open for Design & Color Relationships with Eileen Greene at the Currier Museum of Art, an adult art class that explores and experiments with the behavior of color using the concepts of Josef Albers through experimentation and experience. The class will run in person on Thursdays for five weeks beginning Thursday, Jan. 18.

“Part of it is to become more knowledgeable about how we see color and in understanding that a color … is different depending on what colors are around it,” said Suzanne Canali, director of education, who organizes the class. “They will be exploring some of the very same concepts from Josef Albers’s book [Interactions of Color] … [and] will be applying those concepts.”

According to Canali, Albers, a former professor of art at Black Mountain College and Yale University, is best-known for his studies on color. In his manuscript Toward the New: A Journey into Abstraction, which is on display in Currier’s exhibition, he explains how the appearance of a color can depend on what colors surround it and where it is situated, and how when picturing a color in our mind, the color we see will be different to each individual.

“We would generally say red and yellow make orange,” Canali said. “He would say there’s so many oranges, there are so many reds and yellows, that it’s all dependent upon the relationships among the colors. … By understanding this, artists have to think more broadly about the kinds of colors that they’re choosing, and he really pushes the use of looking at color first through color swatches.”

Using swatches can help an artist by eliminating the need to mix colors, which can be time-consuming, Canali said.

“One of the [goals] is to feel more empowered … [and] confident when using color, and I think that’s really important when you’re creating because people tend to limit themselves to the colors that are in the tubes or the containers that they purchase,” Canali said. “The other goal is [to have] a better understanding of our differences. … Context matters when we’re trying to understand what we are seeing and ideally, in my mind as an educator, that sends a lot of wonderful messages about how … we all see things differently and it’s worth listening to and investigating.”

Design & Color Relationships with Eileen Greene
When: Thursdays, Jan. 18 through Feb. 15, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St., Manchester
Visit: currier.org to register

Art 3 Gallery in Manchester explores the power of art with current exhibit

Art 3 Gallery’s final exhibition of 2023, “The Power of Art,” on display through Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, showcases the art of 60 to 70 artists, from paintings and photographs to sculptures and mixed media.

“Twice a year we try to come up with an innovative idea for an art exhibit that is broad and representational enough to encompass all the artists that we carry,” said Sue Jones of Art 3 Gallery. “We don’t want to just focus on landscapes, or portraits or things that have people … or animals in them, so we try to pick themes that are very broad and would cover a lot of different artists’ artwork, so this particular one [is] called The Power of Art.”

About 200 artists, local, national and international, show their art at the gallery. Among them is Mary Graham, whose oil paintings “Vesper Light I” and “Vesper Light II” are featured in the show.

“My grandmother, when I was 8 years old, gave me a set of oils and I have been studying art ever since,” she said. “I have a bachelor’s in fine arts [and] I was a set designer and costume designer before going into fine art full-time, but I’ve been doing oil painting for the last 20 years or so exclusively. I’ve done some watercolor and drawing but primarily oil painting.”

When her grandparents retired and bought a farm in New Hampshire, she realized it was where she was meant to be. After living in various cities, being originally from Manhattan, and having her first daughter, she finally made the move, drawing artistic inspiration from the mountains.

“I like to paint from high up rather than looking up at them,” Graham said. “I like to hike and look down from them. I love the space, the air, the contemplative feeling that I get looking out over the summits and being in places that are unlike any other place on Earth.”

Pre-pandemic, Art 3 Gallery would have live openings on Thursday nights. Now they post video walkthroughs of the gallery on their website and social media pages. You can also stop by the gallery to see the exhibition on weekdays from 1 to 4:30 p.m. or by appointment.

Other artists featured in the exhibition are Sunil Howlader, an artist from Bangladesh whose works, made from various media like oil and acrylic paints and pastels, are on display in Asia, North America, Europe and Australia; modern impressionist Stan Moeller; and Patti Davis Ganek, a painter influenced by abstract expressionism.

“I paint primarily out of my love for this part of the world,” Graham said. “Northeast New Hampshire’s mountains is, I think, one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been, and that’s why I live here and that’s why I paint, sketch, and draw and work with these mountain landscapes.”

“The Power of Art” at Art 3 Gallery
When: On display through Monday, Jan. 15. Gallery hours are 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by appointment.
Where: 44 W Brook St., Manchester