Arts Spotlight: Emily Sodders

Arts Spotlight: Emily Sodders

Emily Sodders, artist and owner of Bird House Studio in Gilsum, has spent nearly her entire life creating commissioned works. Her media includes graphic design, custom portraiture and interior/exterior murals. A self-taught artist raised in Texas, she began her professional career at the tender age of 12, always working to meet the diverse needs of her clientele. These days, Sodders, wife to Vinny and mother to Evelyn, has been carving out more time for original works, a place where her love of art began. We’re proud to share Emily’s story, in her own words.

Arts Spotlight: Becky Karush

Arts Spotlight: Becky Karush

Becky Karush is a seasoned writer whose nearly 20 years of experience includes freelancing copywriting for several clients and magazines, and working for a weekly newspaper. For four of those years, she taught the Gateless Writing method, developed to give writers of all skill levels a community to read their work and listen to the work of others in a completely non-judgmental, open space. Over time, and boosted during the pandemic, Becky dedicated more of her time to hosting Gateless Writing drop-in salons open to everyone at Nova Arts Block in Keene (every Tuesday) and started a business, Read to Me, based on this method. She offers 20-plus salons each month (including free online salons), twice-weekly work-in-progress sessions and weekly coworking/revision one-on-one sessions, monthly online writing retreats, and a semi-weekly podcast (also called Read to Me) that includes readings and author interviews. We spoke with Becky about how she empowers people through writing and makes writing accessible to all:

, ,

Arts Incubation Stories: MAxT Makerspace

, ,
Arts Incubation Stories: MAxT Makerspace

When Peterborough native Roy Schlieben moved back to his hometown nearly a decade ago, he joined a committee exploring the idea of opening a makerspace there. Partnering with Arts Alive! for fiscal sponsorship enabled the project to launch quickly. Here’s the story!

,

Arts Spotlight - Stories from the Pandemic: Drum Production Studios

,
Arts Spotlight - Stories from the Pandemic: Drum Production Studios

Rory Hurley and Eddie Gomez started their company, Drum Production Studios in Peterborough, to be able to use their creative skills in dance, music and translate them to video to help people deliver their message to audiences. When the pandemic led to clients cancelling live events, effectively emptying their calendar, the partners changed tack and began livestreaming. This helped them continue to keep audiences engaged and inspired during very difficult times. We’re proud to share Rory and Eddie’s story, in their own words.

,

Arts Incubation Stories: Ashuelot Concerts

,
Arts Incubation Stories: Ashuelot Concerts

A spotlight on a local organization that was incubated by Arts Alive!’s fiscal sponsorship arts incubation program. “(The program) was Instrumental in us being able to establish and operate as a nonprofit,” said Burns. “We learned important lessons to operate as a legal entity. It allowed us to start to build our organization around what we were doing, organize, establish plans and garner the support of the community. (Arts Alive!) provided a sounding board and was a source of advice.”

, ,

Arts Spotlight - Stories from the Pandemic: Illustrator Robert Seaman and his Daily Doodles

, ,
Arts Spotlight - Stories from the Pandemic: Illustrator Robert Seaman and his Daily Doodles

As many of us were isolated during the pandemic, especially in its early days, artist/illustrator/teacher Robert Seaman, 88, was especially so. During a lockdown period at the assisted living facility he calls home, he desperately needed a creative outlet and turned to his life-long passion–drawing—to help buoy him in dark times. He began creating a doodle a day. These Daily Doodles turned his activity into a way to give back.

We’re proud to share the story of Robert Seaman, in his own words.

,

Arts Spotlight - Stories from the Pandemic: Rebecca Fredrickson & the Jaffrey Civic Center

,
Arts Spotlight - Stories from the Pandemic: Rebecca Fredrickson & the Jaffrey Civic Center

Creatives are finding strength in community while dreaming and building towards the future. In this account, we hear from Rebecca Fredrickson. She is the new Executive Director of the Jaffery Civic Center. We welcome her to the Monadnock Region. We’re proud to share her vision for the Civic Center.

Arts Spotlight: Daniel Scully & The Showroom

Arts Spotlight: Daniel Scully & The Showroom

Creatives are finding strength in community and dreaming and building towards the future. In this account, we hear from Dan Scully. He is an architect who has made his mark on downtown Keene in many ways. He was also in our first cohort of Ewing Arts Awardees. We’re proud to share this story of creating The Showroom, the newest addition to the Colonial Performing Arts Center, from architect Dan Scully.