Sharon Arts Launches Holiday CSArt Project with NHIA Artists

Sharon Arts Center Executive Director Keri Wiederspahn has announced that ten artists artists who are members of the New Hampshire Institute of Art (NHIA), including faculty, alumni, and students, have been selected to participate in a Special Holiday Community Supported Art (CSArt) project at Sharon Arts, which will feature a "Pick-Up Party" at the Sharon Arts Center Gallery, 30 Grove St. in Peterborough, on Dec. 6, from 5 to 6:30 pm. 

Sharon Arts launched their first CSArt projects last fall and spring, modeled after the popular Community Supported Agriculture movement (CSA) where consumers buy seasonal food directly from local farms. In this case, shareholders buy a pre-selected body of works ranging from paintings, prints and photographs to ceramics. 

"CSArt is an endeavor to support regional art, artists, and collectors," said Wiederspahn. "Our first two CSArt projects have been very well received, and we're excited now to have the New Hampshire Institute of Art partnering with us now in expanding this movement as we broaden our relationship with the Institute." 

NHIA artists include Gary Samson, Chair of the Photography Department; Maureen Mills, Chair of Ceramics; Marcus Green, Painting faculty; Chris Archer, Ceramics faculty; Mary Goldthwaite-Gagne, Liberal Arts Faculty; Ian Hartsoe, Photography alumnus; Caitlin Pallischeck, Painting alumnus; Justin Gerace, Ceramics alumnus; Tim Donovan, Photography alumnus; and Audrey Kay, undergraduate student in Painting.

Each of the participating ten artists will receive a stipend for creating 50 "shares" for the program, Wiederspahn explained. The artwork will be limited editions for CSArt only--art that is rare and unique, unavailable elsewhere. Shares for 10 works of art are $350, and can be paid for in two installments of $175. 

"A lot of people say this is an incredible bargain," Wiederspahn added. "And it is! But it's a win-win situation for both the shareholder and the artist. Along  with the prestige of being selected, the artists will gain enormous potential for marketing and visibility, while shareholders will have an opportunity to broaden their artistic appreciation through learning about the artists directly. The long-term results of a project like this hold the potential for generating many wonderful relationships and educating the public on a specific set of local talent and artistry.”

Those interested in purchasing shares can do so by calling 603-924-7676. For further information, see sharonarts.org.

The mission of Sharon Arts Center, a non-profit organization, is to engage the community in the artistic process, to support and serve artists and craftspeople, and to foster the relationship between artists and the community through education, exhibitions, and the promotion and sale of arts and crafts as well as through special programs and events.

Sharon Arts center offers a wide variety of art classes and programs in their School of Art & Craft, 457 Rt. 123, Sharon, as well as a Fine Craft Gallery, a Juried Artist Member Gallery, and an Exhibition Gallery located at 30 Grove Street and Depot Square in Peterborough. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday 11 am to 5 pm.

Sharon Arts Center is non-profit 501(c)3 Organization supported in part by:The New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, The Arthur L, Getz Charitable Trust, The Bean Family Foundation, The Gilbert Verney Foundation, The Grimshaw-Gudewicz Charitable Foundation, The Jack & Dorothy Byrne Foundation, The Kingsbury Fund, The Lizzie Cheney Charitable Trust, The Samuel P. Hunt Foundation, The Susan A. & Donald P. Babson Charitable Foundation, The Parker Nelson Foundation, The Putnam Foundation, Sequoya Technologies Group LLC & art lovers like YOU!

(photos: Untitled Photo by Gary Samson, Straw Brush Box by Maureen Mills)