The Seacoast Artist Association in downtown Exeter invites local artists to submit to their first theme show of the year, “Winter Frost,” on Saturday, Jan. 6th, 10-2.
The theme shows are open to all, but members receive a discounted fee, so now is the perfect time to become a member. You can join at the gallery or on their website. About this month’s theme they write, “Winter brings a special beauty with her fragile filigree of frost sketched on our bedroom windows each morning. Winter’s art is everywhere in New England; on oak leaves, the skating pond, and every windshield. We are encased in a fleeting beauty that lasts until the sun or the heater spreads its warmth and this brief magic melts away. Share with us your winter wonder images of frost or fantasy, all fleeting and beautiful.” Rules and forms are available in the gallery and at seacoastartist.org, as is the entire calendar for 2024. A “Best in Show” is awarded. The next theme is “Let Me Show You What I Love,’ and drop off is Saturday, January 27th, 10-2.
This month also features two Body of Work shows by Anita Freeman and Erin Mack. Erin Mack is a mixed media artist from Exeter. Her show “Eyes and the Courage to See” runs from Wednesday, January 3rd through Sunday, January 28th. “My method of engaging with the community is through the visual language I create with my works of heart,” she writes. “The goal of these works is always to create art that welcomes the viewer to wander through the piece and wonder about various ideas, themes, and questions posed in the art. ‘Stay a while’ and connect has long been the quest of the arts. I find the bombardment of information in our present age directly jeopardizes this powerful form of civility we create when we are able to pay attention to each other. I find the consideration that we are able to invest in each other proportionately betters our communities and collective experience. With so much constantly going on there is a challenge of where to focus and begin-Where to look and what do we see?
“My artistic response has been to aspire to create works of beauty and interest using the varied mediums of drawing, painting, printing and mixed media collage. I employ these mediums to visually consider dynamic subjects, themes, and ideas. This collection, which has been twenty years in the making, is looking to hold your gaze, bear witness together, see the beauty in the many layers of existence, to find another’s eyes, to empathize with another’s experience, and to find the light of each other in the sometimes seemingly vast darkness. This artwork is offering a view through my eyes, is looking for the courage to see, and is looking for beauty, for light, and for you.”
You can meet the artists at the SAA “Second Friday” artist reception on January 12th, 5-7PM, where you will enjoy refreshments as well as music by singer-songwriters “Nice & Naughty.” The SAA is happy to welcome back this musical duo, who were a big hit when they played there last summer. Chery Sager and Peg Chaffee are known for their exquisite harmonies. Cheryl is a watercolorist and an exhibiting member of the SAA and is a lifelong singer and musician who plays guitar, penny and bass. Peg sings and plays guitar and, like Cheryl, is a doting grandmother and gardener. Attendees of the reception can vote for the theme “People’s Choice” award.
The SAA is located at 130 Water Street in historical downtown Exeter. They are open Wed-Sat, 10-5 and Sun 1-4. See more at seacoastartist.org and follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Email gallery@seacoastartist.org with questions.