Getting Crafty for Mother’s Day in the Lakes Region

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and in anticipation, the Lakes Region of New Hampshire is offering some crafty ways to show some love to the special women in your life!

This weekend, May 4^th and 5^th, don’t miss the Mother’s Day Craft Fair at Laconia High School. The event takes place on Saturday from 10 – 4, and on Sunday from 10 – 3. This wonderful fair will feature over 70 exhibitors with great gifts for Mother’s Day or any occasion, including beautiful quilts, quilted jackets, table runners, glass art, handcrafted scarves, fine jewelry, bat & bird houses, gourmet pickles, dips, and jellies, hand-poured soaps, unique wax room fresheners, American girl clothing & accessories, wearable art, clothing, and much more! Fairgoers will enjoy the music of Tim Janis, as well as free admission. What a great way to find a special gift and support our local craftspeople at the same time! Read the rest of this entry »

The Arts Collaborative Offers “Crazy Creative Kids” during April Vacation Week

Gabriella indulges her creativity at The Arts Collaborative.

For children who will be on vacation in the Lakes Region next week, a wonderful opportunity for fun and creative self-expression awaits at the Arts Collaborative Teaching Studio in Meredith…

On Monday, April 22^nd, Tuesday the 23^rd, and Wednesday the 24^th from 9:30 to 12:00, The Arts Collaborative will host “Crazy Creative Kids,” a program to encourage children to stretch their imaginations, try new things, and have a blast! Kids ages 6 – 12 are welcome to join in the fun, led by experienced teaching artists Heidi Little and Cynthia Robinson. Read the rest of this entry »

February Vacation Art Days at The Arts Collaborative

Ella shows off her artwork at the Teaching Studio!

Fun things to do during February vacation abound in the Lakes Region! After your kids have had some outdoor fun, bring them inside to warm up their creativity—there are some great children’s art programs lined up at The Arts Collaborative, where the resident artists invite you to “Come on over and get your Art on!”

The Arts Collaborative Teaching Studio in Meredith, NH is a place to really explore imagination and innovation. In addition to the regular schedule of classes, the studio has put together some special sessions for kids on break from school next week. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings, February 25 – 27 from 9:30am to noon, the “Crazy Creative Kids” program will take place. Children ages 6 – 12 are welcome to join in the fun, led by experienced teaching artists Heidi Little and Cynthia Robinson. Read the rest of this entry »

3rd Annual Meredith Village Art Walk to Benefit NH Humane Society

As winter sets in all around New England, we begin to turn our thoughts toward pursuing creative indoor endeavors, gathering with loved ones, and helping those less fortunate than ourselves. December is a time of great giving, within our families as well as our communities. In this spirit of grace, the art galleries of Meredith are once again opening their doors and their hearts for a special night of beautiful art, music, delicious food, and generous fundraising for their annual “Food for the Soul” Art Walk.

Next Thursday evening, December 13^th, six galleries in Meredith will participate in the third annual Meredith Village Art Walk, themed “Food for the Soul,” to benefit the New Hampshire Humane Society, the largest area animal welfare agency. Last year’s Art Walk brought in many donations to the Meredith Emergency Food Pantry, and the event’s organizers are hoping their visitors are just as generous this year to help our animal friends. The event promises to be bigger and better than last year with the addition of several fine artisans and craftsmen, horse-drawn wagon rides, and live music. Read the rest of this entry »

The League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Retail Gallery December Events

Looking for unique, handmade gifts this holiday season? Interested in catching a glimpse of how a skilled artisan works her craft? The League of NH Craftsmen has a great lineup of workshops and demonstrations, where you can meet the artists and be a part of some of the creative processes as the fine pieces come to life. Check out what’s happening at the Meredith Retail Gallery this December…

Felted Animal Demonstration with Carolyn Wright
Saturday, December 1st, 2012, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Stop in and see how Carolyn brings wool to life in creative ways – from chickens, sheep, and lions, to stars, moons, and eggs! Carolyn creates her wonderful characters by the process of needle felting. Are you interested in exploring this art form? Come with your curiosity and questions, as Carolyn shows her work in its various stages. Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »

Local Artists Selected to Exhibit in the Award-Winning Paradise City Arts Festival

Steven Hayden Arts Mixed Media Wall Sculpture; carved cherry and wenge woods, “flame-painted” and acid-etched wrought copper, forged steel.

Two of Meredith, New Hampshire’s premier artists, Steven Hayden and David Little, have been selected from among nearly 1000 applicants to participate in the prestigious Paradise City Arts Festival at the Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton, Massachusetts this coming Columbus Day Weekend, October 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th.

Steven Hayden is a wood, metal, and ceramic artist, and David Little is an artist-blacksmith who has done much of the metalwork throughout Church Landing and the Marketplace at Mill Falls. Both artists are juried members of the League of NH Craftsmen. Hayden and Little have a long history of collaborating, and continue to work together at The Arts Collaborative, a new studio space in Meredith that is owned and managed by David Little and his wife, Heidi, who is also an artist. Hayden and Little were selected to be among only 275 participants in the Paradise City Arts Festival after thousands of images were reviewed by the show’s jury last April. The applicants’ work was judged on the basis of imagination, technical excellence, design, and originality. Steven Hayden Arts and Winnipesaukee Forge are in very good company, since many of the works by the exhibiting artists are displayed in major collections, museums, and publications around the world. Read the rest of this entry »

Don’t Miss the Mid-Summer Art Walk in Center Sandwich

Day Sailers Resting by Woolsey Conover at Surroundings Gallery

Another Lakes Region town can be counted among NH communities who offer popular art walks, where visitors can tour local galleries, enjoy refreshments and hors d’oeuvres, and meet the artists whose work is on exhibit. Stroll the streets of Center Sandwich, see what’s new in the art world, and enjoy music and great food at the Corner House Inn afterward.

On Friday, July 13^th, Center Sandwich will be holding its second Gallery Walk of the season from 5 – 7 p.m. The Patricia Ladd Carega Gallery, The Sandwich Home Industries, and Surroundings Art Gallery will open their doors that evening to celebrate art, music, and conversation as they feature the work of New England artists and those who have a connection to the area. Guests who visit all three galleries will receive a discount on dinner at the Corner House Inn on Main Street. Read the rest of this entry »

Meredith Becoming Another NH Antique Alley?

When folks think of heirloom and period piece shopping destinations, New Hampshire’s “Antique Alley” on Route 4 in Northwood usually comes to mind, but there are a few other little towns in the Granite State that have a growing antique and art market, including this quaint village on the edge of Lake Winnipesaukee.

Located in the heart of the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, Meredith is near a lot of old farms and family camps, which have transformed into treasure troves for antiques over the years. Meredith has also become a thriving destination town, thanks to its one-of-a-kind hotels, restaurants, and shops, as well as a lively assortment of events throughout the year. This is a winning combination for antique shops and art galleries in town.

Ted McGuigan recently opened Antiques at Meredith Bay, a new shop on Main Street with a view of the lake. “I opened in February and I’ve been doing well,” says Ted. “Business has been very, very good.  I’m very pleased with Meredith and how it’s promoted.” Ted credits The Greater Meredith Program and the Meredith Rotary Club for supporting the town with various events during each season. “Not many towns do that, so it’s a major plus.” Ted’s customers are tourists as well as local residents, and he carries items that are sourced locally in the Lakes Region. The shop features a wide range of items, from miniscule collectibles, to marble-top tables, to gold and estate jewelry.  Says Ted, “A little bit of everything, something for everybody’s taste, hopefully.” Read the rest of this entry »

The Lakes Gallery at Chi-Lin to Offer Fall Workshops

"Chrysanthemum" by Bruce Iverson

As autumn settles in and the cooler weather approaches, thoughts turn to creative indoor activities that will keep us productive and bring us much joy through the winter months and beyond.  For many people, an art class or creative workshop is just the inspiration needed to launch a new endeavor or hone existing skills, and in Meredith, NH, one little gallery offers some of the finest workshops in New England.  This fall is no exception, as the Lakes Gallery at Chi-Lin has a series of workshops lined up that will have even budding artists creating beautiful work in no time.

After a glowing response this past summer to Bruce Iverson’s Mountains, Trees & Mist workshop, the gallery was encouraged to offer another series of his classes.  This fall, Bruce will be sharing his expertise in The Four Seasons: An Introduction to the Chinese Scholar’s World of the Four Gentlemen. According to the gallery, after the Ming Dynasty was taken over by the barbarian Manchus, the scholar intellectuals retreated to simple mountain sanctuaries to continue to practice the ways of traditional gentlemen. The Four Gentlemen and the mountains in which they lived became the symbols of their world.

The bamboo—a virtuous life, with humility
The orchid—beauty in the face of obscurity
The plum blossom—constancy in the face of opposition
The chrysanthemum—triumph of hope over adversity

In Bruce’s workshops, participants will explore these symbols individually and learn to paint them using Chinese brush painting techniques. The workshops will take place on Sunday afternoons from 12:30 – 4:30/5:00 pm. Bamboo – October 9^th, Orchid – October 16^th, Plum – October 30^th, and Chrysanthemum – November 13^th.  All materials are traditional and will be provided.

Also this fall, Suzanne Lee will continue teaching Beginning Italic Calligraphy on Friday and Saturday mornings from 9 – 11am.  The Friday classes will be held from September 30^th through November 11^th, and the Saturday classes will run from October 1^st through November 12^th.  All materials and supplies for the class will be provided, and can be taken home at the end of the workshop.  By the end of this class, participants will be writing elegant cards and letters in beautiful calligraphy—just in time for the holidays!

No previous art experience is needed for either of these wonderful workshops, but space is limited and pre-registration is recommended.  For more information, please call the gallery at 603-279-8663 or email Suzanne at suzanne@chi-linasianarts.com.

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team