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Arts and Culture at Radically Rural Remote 2020

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Arts and Culture at Radically Rural Remote 2020

Watch videos of the 2020 Radically Rural Arts & Culture Track, featuring stories and experts from across the country who are on the leading edge of rural arts development. Speakers include: Chrissy Deal, Director, Social Responsibility & Inclusion of Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF), Lori Pourier, First Peoples Fund; Ron Ragin, Self-Employed, Artist, Consultant, Researcher, Coach; Erik Takeshita, Senior Fellow of ArtPlace America; Savannah Barrett, Exchange Director of Art of the Rural; Anthony Poore, director of NH Humanities; Barbara Shafer Bacon, Co-Director, Animating Democracy of Americans for the Arts; Rachel Balaban, Co-founder and co-director of Artists and Scientists as Partners; Catherine Stewart, Artistic Director of NH Theatre Project; HB Lozito, Executive Director of Out in the Open; Marianne Barthel, Director of the Arts Program at Dartmouth Hitchcock; Cynthia Cutting, director of Museum of the White Mountains; Amanda Whitworth, Founder Lead With Arts & Articine; Kate Beever, Owner/Music Therapist of Maine Music & Health; Eugene Uman, Director of Vermont Jazz Center; Craig Stockwell, Visiting Artist, Advisor- MFA for Lesley University

Reopening Conversation #1 with NH State Council on the Arts

Reopening Conversation #1 with NH State Council on the Arts

New Hampshire-based arts and cultural organizations are connecting for conversations about reopening their venues and businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosted by Ginnie Lupi, director of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, arts organization leaders from around the state are sharing how they’ve been reopening since lockdown ended and what new ideas they’ve come up with!

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Arts Spotlight - Stories from the Pandemic: Lyn Falcone's Mosaic Fiber Arts

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Arts Spotlight - Stories from the Pandemic: Lyn Falcone's Mosaic Fiber Arts

These are unprecedented times and artists are finding strength in community and creativity. In this account, we hear from Lyn Merlone. Lyn is a textile artist and educator with a studio in Peterborough, NH. Her creative practice focuses on creating one of a kind wearable art and home decor. Hear her story, in her own words

Arts Spotlight - Stories from the Pandemic: Machina Arts

Arts Spotlight - Stories from the Pandemic: Machina Arts

Arts Alive! collects and shares the stories of the arts community in the Monadnock region. These are unprecedented times and there are unprecedented things happening in the arts world. The coronavirus pandemic is pushing change and moving arts leaders to rethink their models of stability and connection. In this account, we hear from Danya Landis, artist and owner of Machina Arts.

Arts Spotlight - Stories from the Pandemic: Keene's League of NH Craftsmen Store

Arts Alive! collects and shares the stories of the arts community in the Monadnock region. These are unprecedented times and there are unprecedented things happening in the arts world. The coronavirus pandemic is pushing change and moving arts leaders to rethink their models of stability and connection. In this account, we hear from Taryn Fisher. In June 2019, she opened the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen store on Central Square in downtown Keene, New Hampshire. It is a fine craft gallery that sells work of member artists based in this state, and a 10 mile border zone that includes artists in Vermont, Massachusetts, and Maine. Artists rely on League of New Hampshire Craftsmen stores to provide an upscale gallery to present, market, and sell their work. Taryn shared with us the struggles and joys of operating her store and not being able to interact with her customers and artists.

How has your life changed in the last month?

My life has changed dramatically. Prior to the stay at home order, I was working at the gallery every day, interacting with customers and artists, enjoying being an integral part of our dynamic Main Street community. After the stay at home order went into effect, my life came to a screeching halt. Now, I am home almost all the time. I go to the gallery occasionally, to keep my social media campaign active, to handle the very seldom online orders that come in, and to maintain some sort of normalcy in my daily routine.

Where do you find hope and inspiration these days?

One of the adorable spring products the gallery is featuring.

One of the adorable spring products the gallery is featuring.

The Keene and Greater Monadnock community has been tremendous. Mayor George Hansel immediately implemented weekly "town hall" webinars for the small business community. He includes city, business, and community leaders plus invited guests to these webinars. They are well-attended and very helpful. Plus, it's nice to know that there's a community out there, pulling together. In addition, several business leaders have done wonders for keeping our community alive and well. Luca Paris is a focal point - his positive energy and stamina are amazing. Ted McGreer's Virtual 5K fundraiser and Joe Toleman's Grey Tee Project, these efforts to support small business are deeply appreciated.

What is the biggest realization you've had about your work in the last month?

Artist Melinda LeBarge was featured at a “Meet the Artist” event at the gallery store in December.

Artist Melinda LeBarge was featured at a “Meet the Artist” event at the gallery store in December.

I miss my gallery! I miss my artists! I miss my customers! I really enjoy my work and simply cannot wait to get back at it.

Best case scenario, how does your business emerge from "stay safe stay home?" 

I am working hard to create a business and marketing strategy that adapts well to our new reality: less in-person interaction that is more carefully managed, and more virtual interaction. I'm also focusing on reducing operating costs as much as I can so that my business can survive and thrive, particularly if future sales are less than previous sales. And, I'm holding firm to NOT pursuing a "discount" or "buy one, get one free" approach. I will not let the current financial pressures put the value of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen's brand at risk. Indeed, if I can make it to the other side of this, I'll work toward deepening our value proposition by enhancing our customers' experience and by continuing to deliver one-of-a-kind, local, hand-made artworks. Stay tuned!

UPDATE 4/27/20:

The Fine Craft Gallery located at Central Square is closing its doors. Taryn is looking for a new location for the store - either something smaller or in a more affordable location in a surrounding town - for a time when retail stores can get back to regular operations. “I am working through the sad process of getting all artworks returned to artists,” she says, “And, like everyone else, living with lots of uncertainty!”

We are here, Let us bring you joy and comfort!

A Note From the Monadnock Region Arts Community

Right now, people are turning to the arts. One obvious reason is that they have the time - the time to listen, watch, learn to make or play.

Another is that the arts bring joy and comfort. 

Arts organizations are keeping doors open for folks to access the arts, continuing to support staff/employees, continuing to support art-making - all in new ways. Monadnock area arts organizations are still here - and they want to serve the community by bringing that joy and comfort and even a bit of positive distraction to everyone in our community. 

An essential quality of arts experiences in our region is the intimacy of the relationship between audiences and performers, experts and students, masters and viewers. This is continuing through online relationships in a variety of ways.

The sudden shift to social distancing is putting innovation to the forefront in developing new ways to share art and teach art. The experience of staying home and staying safe has been an opportunity for a cultural shift in the arts sector and beyond. We are no longer allowed to disregard or disparage the power of communities coming together or consuming arts experiences digitally. 

Check Facebook. Check Instagram. Check YouTube. Check whatever app the cool kids are using these days. See all the ways artists are working to bring us together and bring joy?

The missions of arts organizations across our region involve enrichment, connection, education, and transformation through creative and cultural experiences. Arts organizations will continue to do that now - in times of crisis and beyond - because we see the arts as an essential part of connecting with our own humanity and with each others’. We look forward to the new ways arts will connect our communities when we are all able to re-open our doors. For now, find us online  and reach out if you'd like to support ways arts organizations are transforming - we are in this together.

Jessica Gelter, Arts Alive!

Alison Scott & Joan Epro, Electric Earth Concerts

Lenny Matczynski, Apple HIll Center for Chamber Music

Esther Rhoades, Grand Monadnock Youth Choirs

Nick Burns, Ashuelot Concerts

Keith Stevens, Peterborough Players

Joe Caracappa, Monadnock Art

Laina Barakat Monadnock Music

Michelle Stahl, Monadnock Center for History & Culture

Pelagia Vincent, Depot Square

Marybeth Hallinan, Two Rivers Community Choir

Rick Swanson & Alan Rumrill, Historical Society of Cheshire County

Holly Gibson & Reagan Messer, MoCo Arts

Deirdre Fitzgerald, Monadnock International Film Festival

Linda Greenwood,  Green Lion Photography

Johniene Papandreas, Artist

Kimberly Kersey-Asbury, Sharing Arts/MAxT Makerspace

Alec Doyle, The Colonial Performing Arts Center

Dominique Boutaud Artist painter and Art Craft


Arts Spotlight: Hannah Ellingwood

Arts Spotlight: Hannah Ellingwood

This month we’re spotlighting independent artist Hannah Ellingwood! We love how her work reflects her passion for the natural world, and how that translates into how her creative business operates. She is working hard to make her small business a success and to make a difference in how people see the beauty of our natural resources - check her out!