Category: Visual Arts

Lights, camera, action

New Hampshire Theatre Awards return to the scene

Returning after a Covid-induced hiatus are the New Hampshire Theatre Awards on Saturday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m. at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord. Professional, community and youth theater productions from the 2023 season will be awarded and parts of some of the shows will be performed.

“[New Hampshire Theatre Alliance] runs an adjudication process,” said Irene Cohen, the president of the organization and co-producer of the award show. “A theater company … will submit their works to be adjudicated … and [the adjudicators] complete a ballot and the ballot is scored. … Then we have an awards night for outstanding performance, very similar to the Tonys. … There was a group who spent time during the pandemic, about a year and a half, working on an entirely new ballot, so we’re excited about that.”

Adjudicated productions include Guys and Dolls by Weathervane Theatre, Agatha Christie’s Murder On The Orient Express by M&D Playhouse, Steel Magnolias by Carriage Lane Players, Disney’s Newsies at Ovation Theatre Company and Mean Girls: High School Version, also produced by Ovation Theatre Company. Awards will be given for outstanding actors and actresses in musical and play productions, outstanding supporting actors and actresses, choreography, lighting, sound design, costume design and outstanding professional, community and youth productions, among others. New this year is an award for playwriting.

“The theater community in New Hampshire is very vibrant and prolific. … Almost every weekend of the year you can find some type of community, professional or youth theater production,” Cohen said. “One thing that we’re excited about is that we’ve made a change in the awards to a non-gendered award name starting in the 2024 adjudication season and that decision came about with some feedback from our community. … it’s been very very well-received.”

According to Cohen, this change will set the New Hampshire Theatre Alliance apart from other theater organizations.

After the ballots are run, the top 10 finalists will be announced. Then, during the event, the semifinalists will be revealed, followed by the winner.

“The process and the organization … is all run by volunteers,” Cohen. “We don’t have a paid executive director, we don’t have paid staff. The adjudicators are going all over the state to adjudicate these shows and we wind up with this event at the end of all that based entirely on the volunteered time of this community. … I’m just in awe of the power and strength of this community of artists in New Hampshire.

19th New Hampshire Theatre Awards
Where: Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord
When: Saturday, Jan. 20, 7 p.m.
More info: get tickets at ccanh.com

Featured photo: Previous New Hampshire Theatre Awards. Courtesy photos.

The Art Roundup 23/01/11

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

• At the Currier: It’s the final days to view “Sanaa Gateja: Selected Works,” an exhibit of “large-scale compositions … primarily created using beads made from recycled paper, which Ugandan artist Sanaa Gateja rolls, dyes and affixes to bark cloth,” according to a newsletter from the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; currier.org). The exhibition is open through Monday, Jan. 15 (when the museum will be open for Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations). Catch tours of the exhibition on Thursday, Jan. 11, and Friday, Jan. 15, the newsletter said.

Coming up later this winter are the exhibitions “Kara Walker: Harper’s Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated),” which opens on Thursday, Feb. 29, and “I Live A Journey of A Thousand Years,” featuring about 20 works by Raphaël Barontini, which opens on Thursday, March 7, the newsletter said.

Returning through April are the “Art Conversations From Home” Zoom conversations about Currier collections and current exhibitions, according to the newsletter. The events take place Wednesdays at 1 p.m., are free and last 30 minutes; registration is required (go online), the newsletter said. On Wednesday, Jan. 17, the planned discussion will focus on “Santa Casilda, after Francisco de Zubaran” by Roméo Mivekannin, which is on display in the Contemporary gallery, the newsletter said.

• At Cue Zero Theatre: On Friday, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m. Cue Zero Theatre (cztheatre.com) will present a reading of two new plays — Murder in Residence by MT Cozzola and Meeting Mr. Right by Stephen de Ghelder — as part of the Laboratory Series. The reading is pay-what-you-can and takes place at Arts Academy of New Hampshire (19 Keewaydin Drive, No. 4, in Salem). The playwrights will be available for a brief talk-back after each reading, according to a press release.

Also on the schedule at Cue Zero is Cue Zero Cabaret with the theme of villains and anti-love songs on Friday, Feb. 9. Cue Zero is also offering a workshop series, starting with an introduction to directing on Sunday, Jan. 14, with Dan Pelletier and Crystal Welch and a “foundations of improv comedy workshop” on Sunday, Feb. 18; register online (the cost is a suggested donation of $40), the release said.

The mainstage season begins with a production of Blood Relations that will run Friday, March 1, through Sunday, March 3 (shows at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday). Tickets cost $15.

• More at Mosaic: In addition to its new exhibition “This Is Us Plus Some,” the Mosaic Art Collective (66 Hanover St., Suite 201, in Manchester; 512-6309, moasaicartcollective.com) has several events slated for January. Music night is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 20, from 7 to 10 p.m. and will feature Abner II (take a listen at instagram.com/Abner_ii) and Regals (hear them at regalsrock.bandcamp.com), according to a press release.

On Thursday, Jan. 25, learn eraser printmaking with Jackie Hanson from 5:45 to 8 p.m. The cost is $35.

On Friday, Jan. 26, Mosaic will host an artist talk with Gary Samson, filmmaker and photographer, from 5:40 to 7 p.m.

MLK Day at the Currier
The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; currier.org, 669-6144) will open on Monday, Jan. 15, with free admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and programing from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., according to the museum’s newsletter. At 11 a.m., a curator-led tour “Black Abstraction” will be led by Bruce McColl, director of engagement, and a paper bead-making workshop (which will run until 2 p.m.) will take place in the Green Studio on the Lower Level. At noon, Rachael Kane, curator of education and interpretation, will hold a tour of Kara Walker’s works, the newsletter said. At 1 p.m., chief curator Lorenzo Fusi will lead a tour of “Sanaa Gateja: Selected Works.” At 2 p.m., the Racial Unity Team of NH will offer a spoken word performance and screening of the “I Have A Dream” speech, the newsletter said. The museum will also offer free programing on Thursday, Jan. 11, from 5 to 7 p.m. related to King. At 5 p.m. Kane will offer the tour of Kara Walker’s works on view. At 5:30 p.m. Fusi will tour “Sanaa Gateja: Selected Works” and at 6 p.m. the Manchester Community Music School will offer a special performance.

• New show: “Nature In Focus: Images of Flora, Fauna and Landscapes of New England” was slated to open Tuesday, Jan. 9, at the McLane Center (84 Silk Farm Road in Concord; nhaudubon.org) and will be on display through Friday, March 8 (an artist reception for the show was scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 4 to 6 p.m.). The show features nature photography by Bob Fleck, a New Hampshire author and photographer, according to a press release. Visit the exhibition Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Art opening: The Nashua Area Artists Association will hold an artists’ reception for the exhibit at the Nashua Public Library (2 Court St. in Nashua) on Saturday, Jan. 13, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The show, featuring works by local NAAA artists, will be on display through the end of January, according to a Facebook post about the event. Find out more at nashuaarts.org.

• Join the choir: The Manchester Community Music School (2291 Elm St. in Manchester; mcmusicschool.org) is putting out a call for an Adult Community Choir that will meet Thursdays 7 to 8:30 p.m. starting Jan. 25, according to a press release. The choir is open to ages 18+ and tuition costs $200, the newsletter said. There is no requirement to read music or audition, but you will be asked to sing for the conductor to determine your choral part and singers should be able to meet the time commitment and have the ability to match pitch, the newsletter said. For more information email polly@mcmusicschool.org or, to register, registrar@mcmusicschool.org.

• Upcoming show and a call for art: “Blossoming Beyond,” an exhibition that “showcases work that embodies the resilience, strength and beauty of both the natural world and the LGBTQ+ community,” according to queerlective.com, will open Wednesday, Jan. 24, at the New Hampshire Audubon Massabesic Center (26 Audubon Way in Auburn). The NH Audubon is partnering with Queerlective for the exhibit, which is taking artists’ submissions for the exhibition through Monday, Jan. 15, at 11:59 p.m., according to the website, where you can find details about how to submit work. The exhibit will be on display through Saturday, March 30, with an opening reception Saturday, Jan. 27, from 2 to 5 p.m.

• Just keep auditioning: The Palace Youth Theatre will hold auditions for performers in grades 2 through 12 for its upcoming production of Finding Nemo Jr. on Saturday, Jan. 13, with slots at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. at Forever Emma Studios (516 Pine St. in Manchester), according to an email from the theater. Rehearsals will be Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons in January and then Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays until the production on March 13 and March 14. Come prepared to sing a short section of a song a cappella, according to the email. Schedule an audition time by emailing meganalves@palacetheatre.org with the performer’s name, age and preferred audition time, the email said.

• Call for teen musicians: Ted Herbert Music School will hold auditions for its Ted Herbert Community Big Band for ages 13 to 19 on Sunday, Jan. 14, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Ted Herbert Music School and Rentals (880 Page St. in Manchester). Students in the band can rehearse, perform and learn in an ensemble setting and will be mentored by professional working musicians, according to a press release. The audition will feature sight reading and improvisation, the release said. Auditions are open to kids who are not students at Ted Herbert Music School. Band rehearsals will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month from February through June, the release said, with a final performance held on June 9 at the Majestic Studio Theatre (at the Page Street location). Reserve an audition spot by emailing jeffsamataromusic@gmail.com or calling 669-7469. See tedherbert.com for more.

• Author talk: Concord author and doctor Lloyd Sederer will discuss his book Caught in the Crosshairs of American Healthcare at Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St. in Concord; gibsonsbookstore.com, 224-0562) on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 6:30 p.m.

• On stage at the Players’ Ring: The original surrealist drama You, Me and The Woodsmoke, by Catherine Stewart, finishes a two-week run at the Players’ Ring Theatre (105 Marcy St. in Portsmouth; 436-8123, playersring.org) on Sunday, Jan. 14, with shows at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. In the play, which runs two hours and has an intermission, two women are on a camping trip to rekindle a long-lost friendship, but the forest holds secrets, according to a press release. Tickets cost $28, $25 for students and 65+.

Up next at the Players’ Ring is The Poor Rich, written and performed by Gemma Soldati, on Friday, Jan. 19, and Saturday, Jan. 20, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m. See a trailer for the show, which is billed as 18+, at gemmasoldati.com/work/thepoorrich. Tickets cost $28, $25 for 65+ and students.

‘This Is Us Plus Some’
Mosaic Art Collective (66 Hanover St., Suite 201, Manchester; 512-6309, mosaicartcollective.com) was slated to open its exhibit “This Is Us Plus Some” with an opening reception scheduled Saturday, Jan. 13, from 4 to 8 p.m. The show features “the distinct voices of select board members and esteemed guest artists” and “highlights the power of unity, shared passion, and the profound impact of art on communities,” according to a press release. The exhibition will be on display through Monday, Jan. 29.

• On stage at the Rep: This is also the final weekend for Cheap Thrills, a show billed as “an evening of Janis in concert” featuring Alyssa Dumas and The Stu Dias Band recreating the music of Janis Joplin, at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre (125 Bow St. in Portsmouth; seacoastrep.org, 433-4472), according to a press release. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11; 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 12, and 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13. Tickets start at $37.

Next up at the Rep is Children of Eden, running Thursday, Jan. 25, through Sunday, Feb. 25. The website describes the production as “the story of Genesis from Adam and Eve through Noah” and a “compelling blend of theater and tech, where ancient stories meet modern possibilities.” Tickets start at $37. Shows are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m.; Sundays at 8 p.m. and Wednesday, Jan. 31, at 7:30 p.m.

• On stage at New Hampshire Theatre Project: The New Hampshire Theatre Project (959 Islington St. in Portsmouth, nhtheatreproject.org, 431-6644) will present In the Garden of Z (tagline: “Family. Propaganda. War.”) written by Sean and Jelizaveta Robinson and directed by Sean Robinson from Friday, Jan. 19, through Sunday, Feb. 4, with shows Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 4 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. The play “tells the story of a Russian girl’s reaction to the horrors of the war in Ukraine,” according to the press release, which says the Jan. 19 show will be the play’s world premiere. Tickets cost $28 to $32.

• See the queen in (New) London: The Center for the Arts (centerfortheartsnh.org) will present Queen Victoria at the Fleming Center at the New London Barn Playhouse (84 Main St. in New London) on Sunday, Jan. 21, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sally Mummey portrays the queen for the program, which uses Queen Victoria’s diary and letters to reveal “the personal details of a powerful yet humane woman,” according to a press release. Tickets cost $23 per person ($5 for students). Make reservations at info@cfanh.org and purchase tickets at centerfortheartsnh.org, the release said.

• Tax help for artists: Queerlective (queerlective.com) will present “Taxes for Artists, Freelancers, and Creative Businesses with Hannah Cole,” a virtual workshop, on Thursday, Feb. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. See bit.ly/taxes4artists to register; the workshop is free with a suggested donation of $15.

• Join the Granite State Choral Society: Registration for the Granite State Choral Society will be held on Sunday, Jan. 14, at the First Church Congregational (63 S. Main in Rochester), with rehearsals set to begin the next week, Sunday, Jan. 21, from 4 to 6:30 p.m., according to a press release. The chorus is open to singers of all levels ages 12 and up, the release said. Annual membership dues cost $100, according to gschoralsociety.org, where you can find all the details about joining and chorus membership. Scheduled performances are April 28 and May 5, the release said.

Inspiration and expression

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.

The Art Roundup 23/12/28

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

Brass to the Max

Symphony NH will team up with the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corp for “Brass to the Max,” a show at the Keefe Center for the Arts (117 Elm St. in Nashua) on Saturday, Jan. 13, at 7:30 p.m. “For the first time, Symphony NH’s brass and percussion join forces with the award-winning musicians of Nashua-based Drum Corps International’s The Spartans in a thrilling, high-octane performance of brass and percussion favorites…. The program will be visceral and high-energy. Be prepared to feel this one all the way through your bones with great music like Aaron Copland’s ‘Fanfare for the Common Man’ and ‘Celebrate’ by Kool and the Gang,” according to a press release. Tickets cost $10 to $60 and are available at symphonynh.org or by calling 595-9156.

You, Me and The Woodsmoke

The original surrealist drama You, Me and The Woodsmoke, by Catherine Stewart, will come to the Players’ Ring Theatre (105 Marcy St. in Portsmouth; 436-8123, playersring.org) Friday, Jan. 5, through Sunday, Jan. 14, with shows at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. In the play, which runs two hours and has an intermission, two women are on a camping trip to rekindle a long-lost friendship, but the forest holds secrets, according to a press release. Tickets cost $28, $25 for students and 65+.

Join the band

Ted Herbert Music School will hold auditions for its Ted Herbert Community Big Band for ages 13 to 19 on Sunday, Jan. 14, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Ted Herbert Music School and Rentals (880 Page St. in Manchester). Students in the band can rehearse, perform and learn in an ensemble setting and will be mentored by professional working musicians, according to a press release. The audition will feature sight reading and improvisation, the release said. Auditions are open to kids who are not students at Ted Herbert Music School. Band rehearsals will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month from February through June, the release said, with a final performance held on June 9 at the Majestic Studio Theatre (at the Page Street location). Reserve an audition spot by emailing jeffsamataromusic@gmail.com or calling 669-7469. See tedherbert.com for more.

A year of arts and theater

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.

Color exploration

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

The Art Roundup 23/12/14

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

Last weekend of Hatbox’s A Christmas Carol

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol will close out its run at the Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord; hatboxnh.com) with shows Friday, Dec. 15, and Saturday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m. The show will be the final mainstage production at the Hatbox’s Steeplegate Mall location because Hatbox, along with most of the mall’s other tenants, has received notice to leave their space by the end of January 2024, according to hatboxnh.com. The space’s final performances after A Christmas Carol will be Queen City Improv on Friday, Dec. 29, at 7:30 p.m. and Discovering Magic with Andrew Pinard on Wednesday, Jan. 10, at 7:30 p.m. Check back with the website for updates on the search for a new venue, the statement said. Tickets for A Christmas Carol cost $25 for adults, $22 for students, seniors and members, and $19 for senior members.

Dance!

The Palace Youth Theatre will hold two dance master classes for ages 12 and up at Forever Emma Studios (516 Pine St. in Manchester). A Musical Theater Dance Masterclass with Jenna Bienvenue, a PYT alum and the current Ghost of Christmas Past, will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 19, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. A Jazz Dance Masterclass with Sebastian Goldberg, the director of dance, will be held on Friday, Dec. 22, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The cost for each class is $20. Contact meganquinn@palacetheatre.org for information on how to sign up.

The Aaron Tolson Dance Institute’s Winter Intensive will be held Saturday, Dec. 30, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Dana Center at Saint Anselm College (100 Saint Anselm Drive in Manchester; tickets.anselm.edu). Take one class in hip-hop, ballet, tap, modern or contemporary dance for $30, or take five for a full day of classes for $120. See the website for the schedule.

Call to artists

The Londonderry Arts Council is holding an open call for the 2024 Library Artist Program to artists in all media — painting, sculpture, photography and more, according to a press release. The pieces will be displayed on nine easels (or in locked cases for 3D items) for one month at the Leach Library, the release said. Apply by submitting digital images of works along with a brief artist’s biographical statement to the Londonderry Arts Council at londonderryartscouncil.org/featuredartist. Email artscouncil@londonderry.com for more information.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Safe Haven Ballet (safehavenballet.org) presents How the Grinch Stole Christmas on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 4:30 p.m. at the Capitol Center for the Arts Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com). Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Tickets cost $28.

Nutcracker by Candlelight

“Candlelight: Holiday Special featuring The Nutcracker and more”on Thursday, Dec. 21, from 6 and 8:30 p.m. at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St., Manchester, 668-5588, palacetheatre.org). Tickets to the 6 p.m. show cost $45 to $60; tickets to the 8 p.m. show cost $43 to $60. Courtesy photo.

Art of all kinds

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

The Art Roundup 23/12/07

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

• It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas: The Majestic Theatre (majestictheatre.net) will present the Meredith Wilson musical Miracle on 34th Street Friday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 9, at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m. at the Derry Opera House (29 West Broadway in Derry). Tickets cost $22 for adults; $18 for 65+ and $15 for 17 and under, according to a press release.

• More Carol: Dickens’ A Christmas Carol continues through Sunday, Dec. 17, at the Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road in Concord; hatboxnh.com) with performances Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and students.

• Art and song: The Mariposa Museum (26 Main St. in Peterborough; mariposamuseum.org) will present a performance by Windborne, a vocal group, at the Unitarian Universalist Church (25 Main St. in Peterborough) on Thursday, Dec. 7, at 6:30 p.m. A wassail reception will proceed the concert from 5 to 6:15 p.m. (tickets cost $20 online in advance, $25 on the day), according to a press release. While at the reception, visitors can view the exhibit “Stitching Time: The Social Justice Collaborative Quilts Project” featuring 20 quilts made by men serving life sentences at Louisiana State Penitentiary, the release said.

Handmade
Studio 550 Community Art Center (550 Elm St. in Manchester; 550arts.com, 232-5597) has holiday happenings in December. The center will host its annual Handmade Holiday Market featuring pottery and glass art Monday, Dec. 18, through Saturday, Dec. 23, noon to 8 p.m. each day (except Wednesday, when the center is closed), according to a press release. Two rooms will be filled with pieces made by more than 30 makers, including studio members and staff, such as mugs, bowls, ornaments, serving ware and more, the release said.

Members, staff and other artists have also created more than 100 cups and mugs for the Cups for a Cause display; buy one of these cups or mugs and proceeds will support the International Institute of New England, which provides resources for new Americans, the release said. The cups will be in a separate display and run about $20 each, the release said.

And when you’re in downtown Manchester in the week before the market, keep an eye out for mini-mugs and ceramic ornaments that will be hidden around town, the release said. Find an item and bring it to the market to win a prize.

• Birds: Auburn artist Deirdre Cleary will display her carved birds — which include song birds and waterfowl carved from basswood, cedar or tupelo — at Griffin Free Library (22 Hooksett Road in Auburn; 483-5374, griffinfree.org) starting Friday, Dec. 8, and running through Friday, Jan. 12, according to a press release. On Friday, Dec. 8, from 5 to 8 p.m. the library will host an artist reception to open the exhibit and Cleary will be on hand to discuss her work, the release said. Master Bird Carver Don Combs will also attend to demonstrate how to carve a bird from a wooden block, the release said.

• Music with their mouths: The a capella group Rockapella will perform Friday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. at Stockbridge Theatre (44 N. Main St. in Derry; stockbridgetheatre.showare.com, 437-5210). Tickets cost $35 to $40.

• Write it fancy: Calligraphy artist Adele Sanborn will do a free gift tag calligraphy demonstration on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Twiggs Gallery (254 King St. in Boscawen; twiggsgallery.org). See Sanborn’s work at cornerstonedesignnh.com. Twiggs is open on Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. and on Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Pops
The New Hampshire Philharmonic’s annual Holiday Pops concert will feature the Philharmonic Orchestra joined by guest pianist Roxane Park (pictured) and Santa Claus on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m. at Seifert Performing Arts Center (44 Geremonty Drive in Salem). The show will also include a classic sing-along, according to a press release. Tickets cost $35 for adults, $30 for seniors, $10 for students; see nhphil.org. There is a livestreaming ticket option for the Dec. 17 show.

• Holiday with the Statesmen: The Granite Statesmen, an a capella group singing four-part harmony, will perform their Christmas Chorus on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. at Judd Gregg Hall (Nashua Community College, 505 Amherst St. in Nashua). Tickets cost $20; see granitestatesmen.org.

• New shows: The Seacoast Artist Association (130 Water St. in Exeter; seacoastartist.org) presents two new solo shows. “Dine,” featuring the works of artist Debra Woodward, contains oil paintings featuring diners enjoying eateries around the Seacoast, according to a press release. Watercolorist Gwen Morgan will have her works featured in “Wonders of Watercolor,” the release said. The artists will be at a “Second Friday” artist reception on Friday, Dec. 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. that will also feature food, wine and live music from violinists Dacha and Sava Thurber, the release said. The shows will be on display through Sunday, Dec. 24. From Wednesday, Dec. 6, through Christmas Eve (when the gallery will be open 1 to 4 p.m.), the gallery will be open daily, the release said.

• Celebration of winter: The folk-Americana band Low Lily will perform “Low Lily’s Winter Solstice Celebration” on Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Bass Hall at the Monadnock Center (19 Grove St. in Peterborough). Tickets cost $25 for adults, $15 for kids. See pfmsconcerts.org.

• Big Christmas sound: The Manchester Community Music School (2291 Elm St. in Manchester; mcmusicschool.org, 644-4548) will hold Tuba Christmas on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m. featuring players of tubas, sousaphones, euphoniums and baritones, according to the website. The concert is free and open to the public. If you play a tuba, sousaphone, euphonium or baritone and would like to join in, show up at 9:30 a.m. to register (the cost is $10); a rehearsal starts at 10 a.m. For more information on participating, contact Hailley McConnell at hailley@mcmusicschool.org or 644-4548, ext. 208.

‘A Testament to Peace’
The Concord Chorale will perform a concert titled “A Testament to Peace,” focusing on themes of peace and gratitude, with brass, organ, piano and percussion as well as The Purple Finches, a youth choir from Concord Community Music School, on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 10, at 3 p.m. (when there will also be a livestream option) at the South Congregational Church (27 Pleasant St. in Concord). See concordchorale.org/tickets for tickets to the event, which will also feature the chorale’s new collaborative pianist, Elizabeth Blood, according to a press release. Courtesy photo.

• Holiday concert: The Windham Community Bands will hold their 16th annual holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m. at Windham High School. The event is free to the public and will feature the Windham Swing Band, Concert Band and Saxophone Quartet, according to a press release. The event will also feature a bake sale.

• Irish dance tunes: Christmas with the Celts will come to the Stockbridge Theatre (44 N. Main St. in Derry; stockbridgetheatre.showare.com, 437-5210) on Thursday, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m. The show features a combination of “timeless ancient Irish Christmas carols and lively Irish dance with modern contemporary songs but with Irish instrumentation,” according to a press release. Tickets cost $30 and $35.

Handcrafted gifts

Where to find one-of-a-kind gifts

This holiday season, go for gifts that make an impact by choosing local artwork and handmade crafts.

Year-round venues provide a selection of handcrafted items, from decorative to functional, made by local artisans.

Handmade gift shops

• Currier Museum of Art gift shop (150 Ash St., Manchester, 669-6144, currier.org, open Wednesday and Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen Fine Craft Galleries (nhcrafts.org)

Concord (36 N. Main St., 228-8171, open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hooksett (530 W. River Road, 210-5181, open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Nashua (98 Main St., 595-8233, open Monday through Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Meredith (279 Daniel Webster Hwy., 279-7920, open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.)

• Locally Made

Salem (99 Rockingham Blvd., Salem, 890-7141, locallyhandmadesalemnh.com, open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

Merrimack (80 Premium Outlets Blvd., Merrimack, 377-7610, facebook.com/LHMerrimackNH, open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

Nashua (Pheasant Lane Mall, 310 Daniel Webster Hwy., Nashua, 598-9140, locallyhandmadesalemnh.com, open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Manchester Craft Market (Mall of New Hampshire, 1500 S. Willow St., Manchester, manchestercraftmarket.com, open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

• Spriggs Shoppe (Twiggs Gallery, 254 King St., Boscawen, 975-0015, twiggsgallery.wordpress.com, open Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.).

Holiday art exhibits and markets

Seasonal markets and exhibits feature artworks and crafts tailored for holiday shoppers, highlighting local artistic talent.

• Twiggs Gallery’s (254 King St., Boscawen, 975-0015, twiggsgallery.wordpress.com) annual Sleighbell Studio holiday showcase is going on now through Dec. 16.

• The Craftworkers’ Guild hosts its annual Holiday Fair Shop at the historic Kendall House (3A Meetinghouse Road, Bedford). The fair runs through Wednesday, Dec. 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, along with an online shop and features a variety of items including seasonal decor, photography, fine art and prints, cards, gourmet treats, woodworking, fiber and fabric, stained and fused glass, mixed media and jewelry, all created by juried local artists and craftspeople. Visit thecraftworkersguild.org.

• The Two Villages Art Society (846 Main St., Contoocook) hosts its 2023 Winter Members Show and Sale through Dec. 23. The show features works from more than 30 member artists, including paintings, pottery, sculpture, jewelry and more. Gallery hours are Thursday to Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Visit twovillagesart.org.

• The “Small Works — Big Impact” holiday exhibit is up at Creative Ventures Gallery (411 Nashua St. in Milford) now through Dec. 31 and showcases work in various media from more than 30 area artists, with most pieces smaller than 12 inches in diameter, making them ideal for holiday gifts. The gallery’s hours are Tuesday and Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m., Thursday from noon to 6 p.m., Friday from noon to 4 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Visit creativeventuresfineart.com or call 672-2500.

• The Seacoast Artist Association (130 Water St., Exeter) presents “Big Gifts Come in Small Packages” during December. Artists are challenged to create affordable work, with each piece priced at no more than $100 to make for perfect holiday gift buying. The gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Visit seacoastartist.org.

• Studio 550 Art Center Handmade Holiday Market (550 Elm St., Manchester, 232-5597, 550arts.com) is open Dec. 18 through Dec. 23, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from noon to 8 p.m.; closed Wednesday and Sunday.

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