On Saturday, April 20th from 10AM-12PM, Arts Alive invites artists and arts enthusiasts to join a hands-on Field Trip at the Hot Glass Art Center in Marlborough. Attendees will learn about two of Marlborough’s arts attractions, meet other creatives, and try their hand at blowing a glass ornament.
Arts Alive visits First Proof Press in Brattleboro
Coffee and conversation begins at 10AM promptly. Attendees will hear from the glass center’s owner and operator Jordana Korsen, the Hot Glass Art Center’s owner and operator, will discuss her background as a glassmaker and educator. The group will hear about how she built and maintains her successful creative business before diving in to experience it for themselves.
For an added perspective on the arts scene in Marlborough, Portrait of Jazz painter Michael Reilly will be present to discuss Marlborough Arts Day. The one-day local art celebration had its first run in early December 2023. The committee is planning a second, smaller open house for May. Attendees will hear about how the first arts day went, what the next one entails, and what it means to get involved with a town-specific arts celebration that highlights its artists of pottery, blown glass, sculpture, and painting, among other mediums.
From 10:30-12, Jordana will guide us through the art of blown glass to make an ornament. Hands-on, one-on-one instruction between teacher and each participant will give others in the group the chance to meet, chat, and discuss current creative projects and love of the arts. The hot glass session is beginner friendly and limited to a group of 8.
This Field Trip is $50, which includes the cost of refreshments and creating a glass ornament ($40 for Arts Alive members.) To register for the event and future trips, visit monadnockartsalive.org/artist-field-trips. For information about accessibility, please call the Arts Alive office at 603-283-0944 or email nina@monadnockartsalive.org.
Arts Alive visits the Sharing Arts Ceramics Center in Dublin
Field Trips are casual events designed for artists, creatives, and art lovers to explore the local arts community in depth, network with similar souls, and learn about opportunities for professional and creative growth. These events are characterized by a laid-back atmosphere to spark friendly connection, learning, and creative inspiration. During Field Trips, attendees dive into local arts spaces and businesses to see arts spaces they might not otherwise explore, and learn about available resources and opportunities for community-building and creative growth. Coffee, tea, and light bites are a staple at these trips.
Arts Alive began organizing Field Trips to visual and performing arts venues across the Monadnock region in January 2023. Since then, local artists and creatives have been introduced to the story, programming, and opportunities for involvement in DublinArts & Muse Gallery, Sharing Arts Ceramics Center, 17ROX, Historic Harrsiville and Harrisville Designs, the Keene Public Library’s Kingsbury Makerspace, the Hannah Grimes Fine Arts Gallery, and more.
Field Trips have also brought Monadnock region artists to The Stone Church, Mitchell Giddings Fine Arts, First Proof Press, Epsilon Spires, and the River Gallery School of Art in the neighboring arts community of Brattleboro, Vermont.
Arts Alive launched the Field Trip series in response to a November 2022 arts community survey. Respondents communicated a need for connection, creative inspiration, and professional growth following the pandemic. Attendees have expressed the value of this program through feedback appreciating “Being with fellow artists and hearing people's perspectives and experiences,” “Having people of different expertise talk about their experience and connection to the local community,” and “Meeting people and learning about their work and other regional programs/galleries/events.”
Arts Alive is supported in part by National Endowment for the Arts, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, and the Field Trip program is supported by a generous gift from C & S Wholesale Grocers.
