Explore the Lakes Region During NH Open Doors Weekend

Inside “The Arts Collaborative” Gallery: Collaborative TV Lift Cabinet and Lamp featuring woodwork and copper metal panels by Steven Hayden Arts, wrought iron frame by Winnipesaukee Forge; Copper-glazed raku-fired ceramic Wishing Vessels by Steven Hayden Arts; Wrought iron branch and candlesticks by Winnipesaukee Forge

As we begin to embrace the beauty of autumn, thoughts turn to road trips and wandering through quaint towns with all the unique galleries, shops, and restaurants that each village has to offer. This is also a great time to visit farms, orchards, and wineries, as the harvest is now brimming with the fruits of the summer’s work and new ciders and wines are now ready to enjoy. In an effort to promote the best New Hampshire products and crafts and make it easy for visitors to find our hidden treasures, several organizations have come together to create NH Open Doors, an annual weekend-long touring and shopping event that spotlights the extraordinary talents that make New Hampshire such a special place.

This year, NH Open Doors takes place the weekend of November 3^rd and 4^th. The statewide event began in 2005 as the League of NH Craftsmen Open Studio Tour, focused on promoting the artwork of the League’s juried members. In 2008, the League partnered with New Hampshire Made to attract more participants and a wider audience. The two groups expanded the tour to encompass a broad range of New Hampshire products, services, and attractions, renaming the event NH Open Doors. During the Open Doors weekend, visitors to the Granite State can find distinctive products that are made in New Hampshire, get a jump on holiday shopping, and enjoy special events, such as craft demonstrations and workshops, hayrides, food samplings, special menus with local foods, and musical performances.

At The Arts Collaborative in Meredith, the public will have the opportunity to meet the resident artists and take a guided tour of their on-site art studios; observe blacksmithing, metal spinning, enameling, and other works in progress; meet the teaching artists and indulge in a little creativity in the classroom space; and shop the gallery for fine furnishings, home decor, and artwork.

Demonstration: Steven Hayden’s raku-firing

The Arts Collaborative’s owners, Dave and Heidi Little, are thrilled to participate in NH Open Doors weekend. “We’re grateful to be part of such a well-conceived event that dovetails with what we are trying to accomplish here,” explains Dave. “Our vision for The Arts Collaborative was to have a community of artists right here doing solo and collaborative work, inspiring each other, and serving the community around us in a variety of ways.”

Another great stop in the Lakes Region is Hermit Woods Winery in Sanbornton, where visitors can tour the winery, taste a variety of wines, meet the winemaker, Ken Hardcastle, and learn how Hermit Woods makes their award-winning wines. They will also be serving mulled cider for the special event.

There are many participating studios and shops in the Lakes Region of NH, enough to spend the entire weekend here and still not see everything! For a complete listing of participants, check the NH Open Doors website here. Guests who visit 10 or more NH Open Doors locations can enter to win some great prizes with a NH Open Doors Passport. The passport is available to be downloaded and printed to take along on the tour. After the passport is signed and dated at 10 participating locations, it can be entered into a drawing for a 1-night stay for two at Carlson’s Lodge, Twin Mountain, a Free Mosiac workshop at the Kast Hill Studio in Hopkinton with Lizz Van Saun, a $50 Gift Certificate for use at the Mill Brook Gallery & Sculpture Garden in Concord, a Gift Basket with $50 worth of purely natural products from Just Naturals, or a 2012 League of NH Craftsmen Limited Edition Annual Ornament by Aaron Slate.

Experience the best New Hampshire has to offer during this special annual event, and don’t forget to share your adventures with us!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team