2007 News Archive

May NHAA News

May Artist Forum: Do-it-yourself Giclée Reproductions

Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 7:00 PM — Ed Blake, award winning photographer, will discuss how painters and other artists can make cost-effective reproductions of their original artwork. Ed will discuss image capture, inkjet printers, software tools, paper & canvas choices and color reproduction issues.

April NHAA News

MFA Students from UNH to Speak at April Artist Forum

Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at 7:00 PM — First year University of New Hampshire Masters of Fine Arts students will speak about their work as part of the New Hampshire Art Association's Artists' Forum series. The forums take place at the Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery, 136 State Street, Portsmouth on the third Wednesday of each month and are free and open to the public. Read pdf press release>

March NHAA News

March Artist Forum: Copyright Law

On Wed 3/21/07 from 7–9PM Matthew Saunders and Aaron Silverstein from Saunders and Silverstein, LLP will speak on copyright law as part of the New Hampshire Art Association's Artist Forum series. The forums take place at the Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery, 136 State Street, Portsmouth on the third Wednesday of each month and are free and open to the public. For more information contact the Levy Gallery (431-4230). Read pdf press release>

January–February NHAA News

February Artist Forum: Norma Machado's Pastel Techniques

On Wed 2/14/07 from 7–9PM Norma Machado will demonstrate her pastel techniques at the monthly Artist Forum at the Levy Gallery, Portsmouth. Everyone is welcome! For more information contact the Levy Gallery (431-4230).

$15,000 Grant Awarded

The New Hampshire Art Association has been awarded a $15,000 operating grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Piscataqua Region through its Otto Fund. It is one of the largest grants ever received by the Association. The money will be used for general support of operations and for limited upgrades to the gallery in Portsmouth. "When I met with the funding agency", said Bob Thoresen, NHAA President, "they were very impressed with the progress that the Association has made over the last 18 months." A five page summary of tasks completed from May 2005 to the present was provided to describe all of the accomplishments to the organization has made over that time. (It is available for viewing on our new website.) Thoresen said, "I think this grant validates the Art Association's efforts to revitalize itself and to provide greater service to its members and to more effectively engage the larger public in understanding and appreciating art."

Advance Notice for the Power of Art Show

Artists are encouraged to start thinking about and creating fresh new work for the Power of Art show scheduled for July 2007. This show seeks art that deals with important and sensitive subjects such as political power, gender equality, sexual issues, religion, race relations, war and peace, and similar topics that may raise intense public discourse. Put your thinking caps on and start creating for this important show, which starts in July. The juried show, open to all area artists, will have multiple prizes for the best works. A special planning committee is being formed to prepare for this show. Please call the gallery (431-4230) if you would be interested in serving on it.

President's Report

Angus's Retirement Party. On October 29, 2006 there was a gala celebration of Angus's long service to the Art Association at the home of Fran and Ed Mallon in New Castle. The almost "surprise" party (he was tipped off a few days ahead when someone called the Gallery to ask where the party was) was a huge success with sumptuous food a nd drink and some 200 guests over the afternoon. The Association presented him with a retirement honorarium of $10,000 raised from members and patrons. It was an enjoyable afternoon to honor Angus and his valuable service to the organization. Angus worked with our new executive director, Lisa Polay, during November to assist her in getting acclimated to the job. Angus plans to do some volunteer work and keep active with Association. We all wish him well.

Lisa Polay on Board. As pointed out on the front page, Lisa Polay has come on board as Executive Director. She is learning the ropes and has already immersed herself in the intricacies of running an organization, which relies largely on volunteers to carry out its mission. In addition to normal daily operations, she has already assisted in coordinating the Currier show at UNH, rescued many paintings at Boscawen that were being rained on, and cleaned up the operation at the Gallery. While she is in the process of preparing her first grant application for the NHAA, she is also introducing herself to the membership and interviewing Board members and others about how the organization can improve it service to members. I encourage members and patrons to introduce yourselves to her when you come into the gallery.

Tasks Completed. Since I became President in May 2005, the Board of Directors has been very involved in a widespread effort to revitalize this venerable organization. In the last 18 months, we have made many changes that were recommended by five tasks forces formed to examine everything from accounting and fund raising to education, facilities, marketing, and membership and standards. In preparation for a meeting with the NH Charitable Foundation, I decided to prepare a summary of the tasks we have completed in the last 18 months. As I did so, I was shocked and gratified at how much our largely volunteer group had been able to accomplish. The Summary of Tasks Completed runs for five single spaced pages and is arranged by topic area. I encourage you to go to our new website and bring up the report. While there is much more to be done, we are well on our way completing a major three-year plan of change.

New Website. Our new website (nhartassociation.org) went live on December 1, 2006 after several months of work. New Board member Mark Esterly was primarily responsible building this vastly improved website. He does this type of work professionally, and donated his time and expertise, to create this impressive site. It introduces the Association on the internet on a thoroughly professional basis. We are very indebted to Mark for his generosity for making his talents available at no cost to the Association. Mark says there will be a number of technical refinements over the next several months. Visit us often, Lisa will be updating the website on a monthly basis.

Bob

7th Annual Joan L. Dunfey Memorial Juried Exhibition

The Dunfey exhibition was held from October 4 through November 5 at the Levy Gallery with a reception on Friday, October 13 from 5 to 8 PM at which time awards were presented to the following artists: The Joan L. Dunfey Award to Anne Dubois, mixed media; second prize to Signe Kaleel, mixed media; and third prize to Rose Sielian Theriault, watercolor gouache. Honorable Mentions were awarded to the following: Peter Calkins, photography; Norma Machado, pastel; Frank Moulton, oil; Edna Smith, oil; and Mary Margaret Sweeney, etching.

The jurors were Mary Harding, Curator, George Marshall Store Gallery, York, and Mary-Leigh Smart, Collector. Jennifer Benn and Jane Fithian were the Facilitators and Grace Casey and Angus Locke were co-Curators. Joan L. Dunfey operated a gallery in Portsmouth, served as director of the Prescott Park Arts Festival and is honored by the establishment of this fund in her name with the Greater Piscataqua Community Foundation.

Warm Welcome

Members, staff and the Seacoast art community extend a warm welcome to the new Executive Director Lisa Polay, who has recently taken up residence in Kittery. Polay is at the Levy meeting and greeting but if you miss her there, you might watch the Memorial Bridge before 10 AM and after 5 PM to see her striding across carrying her satchel. We are pleased she has joined our team.

Art 'Round Town

The Levy saluted the Portsmouth Poet Laureate Program, this year focussing on the subject What IsHome? by featuring works by eleven artists depicting their responses to the theme. Art Round Town now numbers eight galleries. Consider including them in your stroll on the second Friday of every month from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. They are: Banks Gallery, Harbor Gallery, Kennedy Studios Gallery & Framing, N.W. Barrett Gallery, Nahcotta, New Hampshire Art Association, TaraPeck and Three Graces.

Artists' Alert

The Currier's annual exhibition of NHAA members' work will be held at the University Art Gallery, In Durham January 20 through April 7 with the opening reception on Thursday, January 18 from 5 8 PM.

Think Summer! In January! It is not too early to warm up your plans for the Sunapee Fair: the Annual League of New Hampshire Craftsmen Fair to be held at Sunapee August 4 through August 12. Again, NHAA will have a large tent, many panels, and lots of artists. Ideas and new approaches will be voiced at a meeting in January. If you d like to be part of the volunteer work force, please call the Gallery.

Our redesigned website is up and running. We recognize there are a few bumps and grinds in it but over the course of the next few months we ll be refining it Any constructive comments or suggestions are welcome. Thanks go to Mark Esterly who donated many months of time and effort in bringing this to fruition.

In My Own Words, by Lisa Polay

Instead of another press release or photo I don't want published, I thought I would just introduce myself. I did attempt to send an email my first day on the job doing so, but soon found out it wasn't as easy as I thought... and it has indeed been much like that since. Each day has brought new and unimagined tasks, calls, squabbles and delights. To say there is a lot to do is an understatement of epic proportions; but I welcome the change, challenges and rewards that an endeavor such as this brings. Angus is just shy of sainthood due to the amount of time and patience he has provided me. I'm not sure where to start in relaying what I have accomplished; but from what I've been told so far, I'm headed in the right direction. I've been extremely encouraged by all those I've met and look forward to meeting more of you as the new year begins. And what will soon be my mantra: your time and help is now, more than ever, in these uncertain times, welcome. And thank you for your graciousness in welcoming me to your home.