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

‘Studio Works’ at the York Public Library

YORK, Maine — The painters exhibiting at The York Public Library from May 2 through June 30 refer to themselves as the Abstract Four.  Barbara Adams, Peter Cady, Tom Glover and Dustan Knight enjoy sharing the challenges of creating abstract paintings. This exhibition called “Studio Works” is a glimpse inside the artists' creative world.  Each of the Four Abstract painters chooses a range of artwork from their studios, both older and newer pieces, that celebrates their range and delights in their abilities to move between realism, abstraction and purely non representational artwork. An Opening Reception will be held Tuesday May 9, from 5 to 7 p.m.

It is unusual to find four like minded artists who buck the traditional nomenclature assigned by instructors and gallery owners to move comfortably across the artistic language. It is an opportunity for viewers to watch the transition of representational subjects such as a place or an object into artistic abstract interpretations and into images that no longer resemble the scene or object at all.

“There is definitely an educational aspect to our shows,” says artist Adams. “Abstraction can be intimidating and here you find four artists sharing their creative processes.”

"Fish Dream Catcher” by the well known artist and teacher, Tom Glover, has both realistic and non-representational elements.   “Into the City” by Barbara Adams suggests its architectural inspirations by a few dramatic vertical edges and light peaking around the corners of shadowy shapes.  Dustan Knight, another familiar seacoast artist, adds a nod to the landscape in “Sea” with just a simple horizon lost in the swirl of luscious brushstrokes and broken color.  Peter Cady, wood worker and painter, references familiar places with his “Autumn Woods” and minimal deliberation that edges the work toward poetry.

3S Artspace set to host ‘Keep Local Radio Alive!’ benefit for WSCA

PORTSMOUTH — On Thursday, April 20, WSCA will bring their “broadcast” to the stage of 3S Artspace for an evening of food, fun, entertainment, dancing, laughs, and live music, all in the spirit of keeping the Station afloat as they navigate their current operative landscape.

Slated performers include comedian Lloyd Legacy Sharp and music from Myles Burr (poetry mixed with Jazz stylings), local Indie Rock legend Rick Rude, and Ezra Cohen & The Big City Band (Americana, Indie Rock, and more).

The event will also feature door prizes, and a silent auction with premier items from local artists, businesses, and more.

For more information visit: www.wscafm.org and/or www.3Sarts.org and secure your spot in advance. For tickets, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wsca-presents-keep-local-radio-alive-tickets-594739039477.

Joel Cage to perform at Garrison Players Arts Center

ROLINSFORD — Joel Cage, an award winning veteran singer/songwriter from Boston and a former member of the internationally acclaimed rock & roll group Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, will perform at the Garrison Players Arts Center on Saturday, April 29 at 7 p.m.

Joel has been performing regionally and nationally as a soloist for the past two decades. He has performed at some of the most prestigious folk and acoustic venues and festivals in the country.  A virtuoso guitarist and an impassioned vocalist, Joel Cage's music spans the gamut from sounding like a full rock band to 'hear your own heartbeat' intimacy. Joel Cage is also a master interpreter of other people's music, spanning a wide field of musical genres, garnering him the often used moniker "Acoustic Rock Song Stylist".

The cost for tickets is $20 – adult and $15 – student and can be reserved at www.garrisonplayers.org.

Pain[t] to make world premiere at the Players’ Ring Theatre

PORTSMOUTH — The Players’ Ring Theatre presents the world premiere of pain[t] by Will Murdock from April 7-22. Performances are Fridays/Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays/Sundays at 2:30 p.m. General Admission tickets are $27 and $24 for students and seniors.

Before the accident, painting was the only way for Rawls to feel himself, the only way for him to understand the world. Every flick of the hand or drag of the brush told part of his story. Now his wrist won't move, and he doesn't know what comes next. He doesn't know who he is. And while he tries to see the world in black and white... he can't keep the colors from creeping. In the midst of the most serious challenge life has ever thrown at him, Rawls navigates family relationships and discovers the healing power of a caring new friend.

Directed by Christopher Savage, pain[t] will take audiences on a journey of recovery and discovery through a brilliantly crafted palette of romance, comedy, and drama.

Closing performance on Sunday April 23 in support of The Players’ Ring Annual Fundraiser. This special event will start off with a brunch reception at 12:30 p.m. at the Puddle Dock Restaurant. Guests will then make their way to the Theatre Lobby, which will be featuring a visual art exhibition with works by Darlene Furbush Ouellett and the Silent Auction display. After a brief update on the Theatre's achievements and projects, at 2:30 p.m. the closing performance of the new drama pain[t] will begin.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.playersring.org.

How the 1970s shaped Portsmouth in ‘Reinventing Portsmouth’ exhibition

PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth in the 1970s was a city full of change; this pivotal decade is the focus of Portsmouth Historical Society’s most recent exhibition “Reinventing Portsmouth: Renewal to Renaissance,” on display now through Oct. 9.

The exhibition explores changes in the landscape of Portsmouth during the late 1960s and 1970s, examining how a group of concerned citizens came together through private and public partnerships to create community.

This exhibition brings together photographs from Thoresen’s collection, architectural plans, artwork and ephemera from the thriving arts and culture scene of the 1970s. Many of the artworks have been held in private collections since the 1970s and this is one of the first exhibitions that will bring them together, providing visitors a glimpse into the local talent of the time. Artwork on display includes the documentary-style photographs of JD Lincoln, the portrait photography of Lotte Jacobi, an abstract view of Portsmouth from Great Bay by Donald LaBranche, and pen and ink streetscapes of Portsmouth by Calvin Libby.

The Portsmouth Historical Society is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Additional programming surrounding the exhibition and commemorating Portsmouth’s 400th Anniversary can be found at https://portsmouthhistory.org/.

Courage Speaks – An evening of art, performance, and community

PORTSMOUTH — HAVEN NH, Safe Haven Ballet, Seacoast Rep as well as other featured guests and performers proudly present Courage Speaks. This inspiring and powerful production will be held Monday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre, 125 Bow St., Portsmouth. CourageSpeaks NH uses photography, storytelling, and the arts to empower survivors and their communities to raise their voices against violence.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month is an annual campaign that’s observed in April, to raise public awareness about sexual assault, educate communities and support survivors of sexual violence. When the idea of a collaboration came up, it was a no brainer of who to pull together. HAVEN and Safe Haven Ballet are two organizations that’s mission and purpose align together. HAVEN, which is the largest violence prevention and support service agency in N.H., mission is to is to prevent sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking and stalking and to support and empower women, men, youth and families to heal from abuse and rebuild their lives. Safe Haven Ballet’s offers uplifting ballet performances, a professional company and pre-professional school, as well as free trauma sensitive classes for survivors of sexual or domestic violence.

While this night is to honor survivor stories, it is also in recognition of the PortsmouthNH400. Seacoast Repertory Theatre generously offered to host this event as it’s a well-known landmark in downtown Portsmouth. Local speakers, Joanna Kelly, Assistant Mayor of Portsmouth and Diannely Antigua, Poet Laureate of Portsmouth will be featured guests and bring the storyline of the evening to life. New Hampshire State Senator, Debra Altschiller will be serving at the MC for the evening.

Guests are invited to meet and mingle with the performers and learn more about these organizations after the show. This will be a memorable and meaningful evening where community members are welcomed and encouraged to join. Tickets are now on sale. To save your seat, visit the Seacoast Rep’s website at:  www.seacoastrep.org

HAVEN NH, Safe Haven Ballet and the Seacoast Rep would like to thank Great Oak Title Services LLC for being their presenting sponsor.

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