PORTSMOUTH —All mentioned exhibitions will be showcased at the New Hampshire Art Association from Oct. 3 to the 27. Please join us for the opening reception on Friday, Oct. 4, from 5-8 p.m. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

Main Gallery: No Longer Brushed Aside

The New Hampshire Art Association (NHAA) is proud to present No Longer Brushed Aside, an exhibition that highlights the transformative work of artists who participated in the NHAA’s comprehensive 8-week Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIAB) workshop. Led by Richard Haynes, Amanda Kidd-Kestler, Mandela Pruett, and Greg Hankinson, the workshop centered on understanding race and racism in the United States with more nuance. The first 4 weeks included group discussions on pressing social issues surrounding systematic racism. During the final four weeks of the program, participants engaged in critique groups and exercises to strengthen their ideas for producing artwork. The final exhibition includes a collection of works that reflect and celebrate each artist’s perspective. Their work demonstrates how the workshop has influenced how they approach the artmaking process from idea to execution. Please join us for the opening reception on Friday, October 4th, from 5-8 pm. The participating artists will hold an artist talk on October 19th from 1 to 3 pm at the Levy Gallery. Please join us to learn more about the motivations and inspirations behind each piece. 

Group and Solo Exhibitions:

Interiors/Exteriors by NHAA Photo Group

Discover the delicate balance between what is seen and what is felt in Interiors/Exteriors, a captivating collection of photographs by nine NHAA photographers. Photographs have the power to imply the unseen, often with emotional force, that is the power that these nine photographers have sought to harness. This evocative exhibition invites viewers to contemplate two layers of meaning: the exterior—the surface captured by the lens—and the interior— a deeper exploration of mood, memory, and personal interpretation.

Sea Dreams by Taylor Comisky

 Artist Taylor Comusky bridges myth and modernity in her first-ever solo exhibition, Sea Dreams.  Her collection of oil paintings will transport you to peaceful, whimsical scenes, where mermaids thrive in untroubled environments, far removed from the societal pressures of human life. Whether they're collecting shells, chatting with friends, or simply exploring their tranquil surroundings, these mermaids live free from any struggles. This idea is reflected in the artist’s own challenges with mental health and body image. Her mermaids offer a glimpse of a utopia where people of various sizes and colors can live harmoniously; at peace with themselves and each other. Rich with blue tones, the underwater settings of Sea Dreams evoke a sense of calm, while warm yellow and green hues filter through the surface, creating a relaxing escape for both the artist and the viewer. For Comisky, the world of mermaids has been a cherished fascination since childhood. "Turning back to mermaids has allowed me to reconnect with the joyful memories of my youth, while also applying the technical skills I honed at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt)," she explains. Her education has shaped her ability to create lifelike, atmospheric environments, particularly through her studies of the human form and aquatic life at the New England Aquarium. Taylor is the recipient of the D. Pratt Framer Grant which funded the total exhibition fees. 

A Brush with Nature: An Exhibit in Oil and Watercolor By Sherie Dowsett and Debbie Campbell

While oil and water traditionally do not mix,  Debbie Campbell and Sherie Dowsett seamlessly blend their different approaches in their joint exhibition A Brush with Nature: An Exhibit in Oil and Watercolor. From expansive summer views across lakes and stormy Maine seascapes to intimate moments with woodland creatures, their impressionistic style invites viewers to immerse themselves in the region’s dynamic and ever-changing natural world. The artists work together to capture the diverse beauty of New England landscapes and wildlife.