Exhibits, galleries, theater and more: Seacoast arts and culture news
Art exhibit at the McConnell Center raising money for Friends of Hyder House
DOVER – Maura Sullivan’s artwork is on exhibit in the cafeteria of the McConnell Center through July 17. Sullivan’s acrylic artwork showcases many local landmarks. All proceeds generated from her artwork will benefit the Friends of Hyder House Family Hospice, located in Dover.
Sullivan, who resides in Lee, has undertaken an incredible endeavor over the last few years. Sullivan is sight challenged and deaf as a result of treatment for Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), diagnosed 30 years ago. Despite the diagnosis, she challenged herself to learn how to paint with guidance from her support person, Meg Jones, of Community Partners.
Sullivan paints to support charities of importance to her. Having lost her mother to Parkinson’s, her initial contributions went directly to Dartmouth Hitchcock Foundation for Parkinson’s, for which she raised $3,000. She currently is supporting the Hyder House Family Hospice, which took care of her mother in her last days.
Her art subjects include family, family pets, and places of interest. Sullivan has traveled to local seacoast towns with Jones. Using photographs of her outing, Sullivan paints acrylics of historical buildings and sights from each town. A native of Waterbury, Connecticut, she is also passionate about painting scenes and buildings of her hometown.
Want Sullivan to paint an 8-inch by 10-inch framed picture for you? Send her an email at Mhsull61@gmail.com containing a photo. Jones assists in transferring the image onto the paint board, and together, they work diligently on the painting and personally deliver the artwork to the donator.
The commission price is $50. Checks can be made out to Friends of Hyder House Family Hospice and are expected upon delivery of the painting. The Friends of Hyder House is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
The McConnell Center is located at 61 Locust St., in Dover, next to the Dover Public Library.
Dover Arts Commission offering up to $3,000 through City Arts Grants
DOVER – The Dover Arts Commission is accepting applications for the 2022-2023 City Arts Grants, with winning proposals able to receive awards up to $3,000
City Arts Grants are available to individual artists and arts organizations to create visual art, music, dance, theatre, film, and literary projects that benefit the residents of Dover and enrich the city’s cultural life. Eligible projects include concerts, performances, festivals, workshops, exhibits, readings, after-school programs, and other creative endeavors that engage the arts and artists to benefit the community.
The application deadline is Friday, July 1, at 5 p.m. The application is available for download on the City Arts Grants webpage at www.dover.nh.gov/government/boards-and-commissions/arts-commission/city-arts-grants.
For more information about City Arts Grants or the Dover Arts Commission, email the Commission at ArtsCommission-All@dover.nh.gov.
Fifth Annual Rochester Community Photography Show Awards Reception a success
ROCHESTER — On May 13 Hurd Hall at Rochester First United Methodist Church was filled with photos, people, prizes and refreshments at the 5th annual Community Photography Show Awards Reception. The amazing photos by local amateur photographers will be on display through June 11. Small groups or individuals may view the photos weekday mornings 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., or by calling the church office at 603-948-1179.
Ribbons and over $750 in prizes were awarded in the following categories: Best Of Show - #87 Flying High - Samantha Battis; Scenic - 1st - #1 Seclusion - Lisa Shurtleff, 2nd- #86 After the Storm - Samantha Battis; People - 1st - #87 Flying High -Samantha Battis, 2nd - #46 Blacksmith - Pat Watts; Animals - 1st - #75 Hang in There - Lily Hunt, 2nd - #25 Taking Flight - Denise Houde-Forsythe; Young Adult - 1st - #60 Summer of 2019 - Claire Prieto, 2nd - #53 Summer Campfire - Kaden Fieldsend; Miscellaneous - 1st - #38 Charlie Brown Christmas - Beth Allard, 2nd - #44 Drops on Bud - Pat Watts; Judges’ Favorites - Don Chick - #29 Skimmer at Sunset - Kandia Watson; Tanya Lee Hervey - #86 After the Storm - Samantha Battis; Barry Nation - #1 Seclusion - Lisa Shurtleff; People’s Choice - #55 Broken Truck in the Woods - Kaden Fieldsend. In addition over 30 Special Merit ribbons were awarded.
Judges Barry Nation, Tanya Lee Hervey, and Don Chick spoke about the judging process and gave tips for improving photos. Following the awards the judges answered questions and gave helpful information to individual photographers.
Show coordinator Cindy Edgerly said the show would not be possible without the sponsors Rochester First United Methodist Church and Rochester Main Street, the generosity of the judges, the business community and the willingness of the photographers to share their photos that all make it possible for local amateur photographers to display their talents.
Generous donations for prizes were given by: Barry Nation at Winterwood Photography, Buffalo Wild Wings, Charlie’s of Rochester, Clemento’s Pizzeria & Brew, Fallen Leaf Bistro, Freedom Beauty Salon, Granite Steak & Grill, Hervey’s Tire Company, Inc., Jetpack Comics & Games, Jimmy Jones Locker, LaCorona Mexican Restaurant, Little Miss Sophie. Mitchell Hill BBQ Grill & Brew, Mr. Sippy BBQ, Papaya Thai Restaurant, Pepper’s Landing Lobster Company, Porter’s Pub, Potter’s House Bakery and Café, RiverStones Custom Frames, Stitches, Studley’s Florist & Garden Center, Town Square Barber Shop, Tri City Bicycles, Wild Willy’s Burgers, Windjammers Seafood Restaurant, 110 Grill.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Exhibits, galleries, theater and more: Seacoast arts and culture news
