Exhibits, galleries, theater and more: Seacoast arts and culture news

Portsmouth Herald
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An 'Evening of Art and Chocolate' comes to Kittery

It’s a feast for the senses at “An Evening of Art & Chocolate” to be held Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Star Theatre/Kittery Community Center at 120 Rogers Road in Kittery, Maine.
It’s a feast for the senses at “An Evening of Art & Chocolate” to be held Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Star Theatre/Kittery Community Center at 120 Rogers Road in Kittery, Maine.

KITTERY, Maine — It’s a feast for the senses at “An Evening of Art & Chocolate” to be held Saturday, Feb. 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Star Theatre/Kittery Community Center at 120 Rogers Road in Kittery, Maine. The event, which benefits Friends of the Earth, Sea & Space Center, will feature a silent auction with a wide range of art up for bid as well as delectable creations from local bakers, chocolatiers and dessert makers, and the upbeat sounds of popular local a capella group “The Stairwells.”

More than 50 art items will be showcased, including paintings, photographs, pottery, jewelry, pen and ink, metalwork and more with topics from nature to space. Artist profiles are featured on the Friends social media and website www.earthseaspacemuseum.org.

Guests will also enjoy chocolate temptations from Jacqueline’s Cake Shop, Gourmet Gift Baskets, William Poole Chocolatier and others. La Cascade du Chocolat has created a chocolate sculpture saluting earth, sea and space. There will be a cash bar and raffles for a Spicy Shark gift pack, two Irish-themed gift baskets, a gift basket from Gourmet Gift Baskets and and a “Wicked Tuna” TV show gift pack.

Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door and can be purchased online at www.earthseaspacemuseum.org.

Call for new artists

Pastel painting “It Is to the Moon” by York Artist Catherine Howe. Howe was juried into the Art Guild of the Kennebunks in 2022. Howe said she was inspired to complete the 8”x10” painting by the full moon and night sky reflecting on the beach.
Pastel painting “It Is to the Moon” by York Artist Catherine Howe. Howe was juried into the Art Guild of the Kennebunks in 2022. Howe said she was inspired to complete the 8”x10” painting by the full moon and night sky reflecting on the beach.

KENNEBUNK, Maine — The Art Guild of the Kennebunks will receive work, on April 22, from artists seeking to join the Guild, according to Guild Membership Chair, Judith Kinsman.

Advance notice of this juried event will give prospective new artist members an opportunity to frame and otherwise finalize their work for presentation. Five works in one medium must be submitted by an applicant.

Various media —all considered ‘fine art’— include oil, acrylic, pastel, pen and ink, pencil, encaustic, mixed media and sculpture (clay, wood, stone, metal).

To be considered, artists must pre-register by April 15, including payment of a $25 jury fee. The registration form and instructions may be found on the AGK website: artguildofthekennebunks.com.

Work submitted for consideration is to be dropped off by 12 p.m. at the exhibit hall behind the Brick Store Museum on April 22. Pick-up following the event is from 2:30 to 3 p.m.

The Guild sponsors several exhibitions each year, including Christmas Prelude and a special awards show in the fall. There are also opportunities to attend workshops and programs.

The University of New Hampshire Department of Theatre and Dance present ‘Roe’

From left to right Krista Farrell and Madison London portray Sarah Weddington and Norma McCorvey respectively in the UNH Theatre & Dance’s production of Roe.
From left to right Krista Farrell and Madison London portray Sarah Weddington and Norma McCorvey respectively in the UNH Theatre & Dance’s production of Roe.

DURHAM — The University of New Hampshire Department of Theatre and Dance brings to the stage this February an award-winning play inspired by a hot-button topic.

Fifty years ago, a monumental court case was decided in the Supreme Court that changed the landscape of women’s right and health care immensely. Then, just last year, that decision was overturned, changing that landscape once again. Though that isn’t solely where the story lies. The women who were instrumental in that original case are as fascinating as the case itself.

Director David Kaye comments on this production, “This play asks provocative and often uncomfortable questions that relate to the issues of abortion, women’s rights, the intersection of religion and politics, our past and our future. It doesn’t matter what your views and beliefs are. Lisa Loomer crafted a play that asks us all to step back and honestly face the questions that come forth, propelled by these events that have shaped, and will continue to shape, our lives.”

Roe, by Lisa Loomer, runs from Feb. 22 to Feb. 26 in the Johnson Theatre located within the Paul Creative Arts Center on the University of New Hampshire Durham Campus. Get your tickets today by visiting www.UNHArts.com. Tickets are $16 for general admission, $14 for seniors, UNH ID holders, and groups of 15 or more and $8 for youth (17 and under).  The UNH theatre box office opens one-hour prior to curtain in the lobby of the Paul Creative Arts Center. For more information and show times and the current season, visit our website www.UNHArts.com or call the Theatre & Dance office at 603-862-2919.  Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @UNHTheatreDance for all the latest news and department gossip.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Exhibits, galleries, theater and more: Seacoast arts and culture news