NEWFANE-The Crowell Art Gallery at Moore Free Library, 23 West Street, will present a variety of paintings by the Monadnock Area Artists Association.
The show will be taking place from July 2 to July 2 with a reception from 1 to 3 p.m. at the gallery on Saturday, July 6.
Association members Gill Truslow, Ruth Sterling, Kris Stewart, Liz Winchester-Larson, Carol Corliss, Kate Beetle, Sue Beetle, Gail Shelley, Kathleen Kennedy, Kevin Whitfield, Marianne Stillwagon, Mary Iselin, and Amy Owens will be participating in this event, with each contributing up to three pieces. The artists have free rein with regard to art styles and themes.
"Each of our artists has obviously his or her own unique style anyway and unique subject matter," Monadnock Area Artists Association Treasurer Kris Stewart said.
She explained that the group tries to put together venues where their members can display and sell their pieces.
"We have quite a few in the area, the Crowell Gallery being one of the most lovely galleries. I actually did a show myself there a couple of years ago. Just a stunning venue. It's just so lovely. And they do such a lovely job. So we're really excited," Stewart said.
Cultivating art and community
The Monadnock Area Artists Association, a nonprofit organization since1963, describes itself on its website as "a volunteer-run association with a strong commitment to cultivating art in the community." It costs $25 a year to become a member.
The group of more than 100 members "is committed to raising money for art scholarships," Stewart said. "We were able to give two art scholarships this year, one to each of our Keene High School graduating seniors."
Their signature event of the year is Art in the Park, which takes place outdoors for two days in Keene.
"Usually we have around 70 fine artists from the area," Stewart said. "No crafts, it's all juried. So it's a very-high-quality art show in Keene. And that's where we raise most of the money for our scholarships."
"We're also starting a workshop and class series this year. We have some really exciting classes lined up for everyone, [and] you don't have to be a member of the organization to attend the classes," she explained.
Stewart emphasized when she moved to New Hampshire it was difficult to get involved in the community, meet new people, and form friendships.
"This organization actually was the one that where I could find people, and I think this is true of a lot of people who affiliate with our organization," she said. "It's a very warm, welcoming organization, very non-judgmental."
Painting 'a bigger picture'
Stewart explained that being an artist is a very solitary life.
"You sit in your studio, you paint, you think about painting, you talk about painting, but it really doesn't involve other people. You really have to have that alone time," she said.
Stewart believes anyone can be an artist.
"It's like anything else. You practice, you practice, you practice - and you get better. But you have to have the commitment to do it," she said. "And obviously, we don't all have the same interests or commitments."
The Monadnock Area Artists Association's 66th Art in the Park will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31 and Sunday, Sept. 1 (Labor Day weekend), with more than 80 artists participating, in the garden walkways of the Ashuelot River on West Street in Keene, New Hampshire.
This Arts item by Alyssa Grosso was written for The Commons.