SOLD: at Art Up Front Street in Exeter, NH

 It has been an interesting few months to say the least, but we are so grateful for the support we have received from community friends AND from new acquaintances who are just finding us for the first time.

We have had a recent surge in art being appreciated and sold. Some are buying as a gift, some are buying for their homes. No doubt there is a little nesting going! 

These wonderful pieces are by Ree Katrak and were sold at her recent opening with Anne Marie Kenny this past Saturday. Enjoy!

Holidays are just around the corner.

October Art Exhibit at Art Up Front Street in Exeter, NH

 We are so excited! Our next art exhibit will offer private tours for one week after the opening event. We are doing this so you can count on covid safety procedures being in place when you come. 

There are so many ways to stay connected "in person" and still be safe. To arrange your tour dates, give us a call or send us an email. We can accomodate up to 4 adults as one group .... or 1 adult plus up to 3 children as one group. A great way to stay in touch and keep art experiences in your life during these times. 

~~ Ree Katrak's newest body of work, "Painting Thru Uncertainty" is a
collection of emotional processings during a time of unresolve. Her
mixed media works on raised wood panels consist of strong bold marks
and large movements of color and texture.

"As an abstract artist, my work is an expression of
thoughts and feelings. Since March of 2020 I have developed this body
of work which reflects my personal journey during the height of
Covid-19 — a time in world history that has been fraught with
suffering and confusion. But also with the possibility of seeing
beyond the despair into moments of connection and joy."

~~ In contrast, Anne Marie Kenny's newest work "Industrial Quilts: Whisks & Microchips" is an organized assemblage of "hard" materials such as metal, wire, and recycled computer chips. Her bronze, steel, and copper patina elements become "quilts" which reflect her passion for textiles and fiber arts.

"My Industrial Quilts have been influenced by industry
and technology both aesthetically and conceptually. The methods and
materials I use in my quilts are nontraditional. The repetitive format
and industrial materials are used for their standardized, manufactured
appearance. The Amoskeag Textile Mill history in New Hampshire and
the "mill girls" continue to inspire my work."

These artists, in their first-ever two-person exhibition, together bring balance in a time of chaos...perhaps a "stitching-together" of disconnects as they explore "New Work 2020".

Katrak can be found at reekatrak1@gmail.com https://www.reehallkatrak.com/
Kenny can be found at amkennyart@comcast.net, http://www.industrialquilts.com/

Thank you for coming to "Of the Wood" art exhibit by Deb Wheeler-Bean & Natasha Stoppel in Exeter, NH

A beautiful weekend... celebrating artists' creativity in a collaborative outdoor exhibit held in the large open space of Deb Wheeler-Bean's backyard.

Such a success all the way around. Several pieces of art were sold - something we feel we need to mention just so everyone is reminded of how the community comes together to honor the creative process... which we all need in these uncertain times.

As we move through the seasons, we, at Art Up Front Street take special care to create exhibit opportunities in safe environments. 

Keep an eye out for more fresh air events.

Nature is out there. We just need to bundle up and mask up to have fun with other people.

Thank you for coming and supporting our events. Even through the pandemic we have sold art. It would not be possible without you... our dear patrons... who make it possible for us to keep creating.

Skate Party, Sunday, October 4, Art Up Front Street, in uptown Exeter, NH

 woo hoo... look out... fun ahead.

We're hosting a skate party in the back parking lot at Art Up Front Street and you're invited! 

This is a free, outdoor event and all ages welcome (please see rules below for the kiddos!)

DJ BUG will be spinning some upbeat retro tunes as we have fun on our skates and enjoy the fall air!

If you don't have skates but want to stop in to enjoy some tunes and say hi, feel free to do so on the sidelines!

RULES:
+ Masks Required
+ Roller Skates or Roller Blades - Please No Skateboards
+ No unaccompanied minors
+ Helmets, pads, etc. are required for minors
+ Signed waiver by legal guardian is required at event

Please email artupfrontstreet@gmail.com with any questions!

We can't wait to skate with you!

Things to do in uptown Exeter, NH

Uptown Exeter is changing - new businesses are opening! We love our spot here on Front Street and we are excited to see businesses moving in. Of, course, we were always "walkable" and bike-able" here, but lately it seems we have a little more kick to the community. 

All within a 1/3 mile area. 

I know I will risk leaving someone out, but I wanted to do a little shout out to some of the previous and some of the new businesses that bring our uptown neighborhood an arts and culture flavor. 

Exeter Bowling Lanes is an icon of mid-century here in town. A haven for candlepin bowling plus a hub for music, fun and an outdoor beer garden. 

Cam's Antiques is huge and sells used furniture, oddities, and vintage treasures. 

Architectural Salvage. If you are renovating, this is THE place for those stunning old house needs. 

Enna Chocolate is well, pure heaven for the dark chocolate lover. 

Exeter Pilates  is the only Pilates studio in uptown and so easy to find right on Front Street. 

And us!

Of the Wood. An outdoor exhibit by Natasha Stoppel and Deb Wheeler-Bean.

Art Up Front Street comes to the neighborhood in a collaborative exhibit featuring artists Deb Wheeler-Bean and Natasha Stoppel. Together they explore the beauty OF THE WOOD. 

For two days, Friday evening and Saturday, a stunning collection of art made from natural materials awaits. 

This is a first-ever exhibit from two resident artists at Art Up Front Street who are "taking it outside and to the neighborhood". 

This "satellite location" on Walnut Street in Exeter, NH 

is the perfect setting to spread out, enjoy the outdoors, and safely distance while absorbing the creative energies of the two artists working with some of the most naturally beautiful materials.  

From Deb Wheeler-Bean:
I am of the wood: searching out the story in its grain & the treasures on its pathways. Wood is both my material and my inspiration. Walking the woods fills my pockets with its artifacts. Examining the wood shows me its history, its beginnings & endings.

Connections from outreaching branches to grounded trunk serve as a tangible reminder of our transitory state and are used to connect dream worlds to waking worlds. Collections of tree joints are presented on old fence boards that once encircled this house - a house made of wood, surrounded by wood. Photographs document the gifts the woods present to me each day. This exhibit is displayed outdoors on a fence made of cedar wood.

For Natasha Stoppel exploring Of The Wood is a deep dive into the materials and subject matter both from the woods and within it.

Natasha has been working with wood for 4 years, her work combines the explosive elements of gunpowder, drawing with fire, and a dash of watercolor to create elements of creature and plant life both real and imagined. Natasha loves to design and play with layering hand cut and machine cut wood intricately woven together into illustrative stories.

This exhibit will feature her full scale work as well as her handmade jewelry, hand-carved wands, ornaments, and smaller decorative creatures.

DETAILS:
This is a social distancing friendly event. It is hosted outside in the Walnut Street neighborhood of Exeter, NH in Wheeler-Bean's large wrap around backyard with one-way entrance and one-way exit. Visitors are asked to maintain social distancing or wear masks. Please, park respectfully as this is a neighborhood of families. Light refreshments will be provided.

We fondly look forward to your presence at "Of the Wood".

14 Walnut Street, Exeter NH 03833
Friday September 18th, 4 - 7pm
Saturday September 19th, 11 - 4pm

Anne Kenny and Ree Katrak sneak peek....

 This October, we feature two artists here at Art Up Front Street for a special exhibit of their newest works. More info to come!

Anne Kenny "Industrial Quilt" framed

Ree Katrak mixed media

Best wishes to all ...

We can tell things are changing in town. We had wonderful cooler weather today - so many people doing things outside. We would like to take this moment to welcome friends back. We hope you have had a lovely summer ....and to those heading to school, good luck. So many changes this year and we wish all of you health and safety as you start new adventures and make new friends.

Art by Deb Wheeler-Bean

Painting in the Garden. Wednesdays in September!

 One of our favorite things to do...and now the weather is a little cooler. Sign-ups by email are necessary.

5 Wednesdays in September. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30.
Reservations needed. 10 people maximum.

Sign up for one or all by email to artupfrontstreet@gmail.com.
We will be in the back garden with safely distanced tables, chairs, umbrellas and a canopy.

Open to all media... so bring whatever you want to work on!
Some people sketch, some paint, some write.
No instruction, just a simple time to gather and create.

~ Free parking is on the left rear side of the studio in the back lot.
~ Bathrooms, water, tea.
~ $10 each day.
~ pick one or all days.
~ please, bring your mask for entering the studio.

Sign-ups by email to artupfrontstreet@gmail.com
are required. See you soon.

Taking a little break from the heat...

Thank you to all who have returned after NH opened back up! We have had great reconnections with protocols safely in place. We are taking a little break from the heat this week and will close for 4 days. Apologies for the inconvenience but we look forward to seeing you when we return. Happy summering!

A glimpse around the studio...Art Up Front Street

Thank you for being in our supportive flow here at the studio. What a time we are in right now in this world.

Do you have a place to turn for respite? Is it outside? Is it your vegetable garden? Is it a zoom call with relatives in another state? So much to process with extra challenges for many.
Our thoughts are with you all.

Take a little escape and drop by the studio, Tuesday-Saturday 11-5. (Closed holidays). Wear your mask, have a seat, or take a walk through. We welcome anyone who needs a diversion, a moment, an infusion of happy. We have had visitors sharing their enthusiasm that we are open again...and we appreciate the visits and supportive words!

We just sold a very large artwork by Rose Bryant to a couple who had recently finished a new home build. So many people in this area are living "more fully" at home, remodeling, clearing and re-inventing how they relate to their homes. Contractors are in short supply, interior designers have multiple projects, surveyors are finding a surge. The pandemic has definitely prompted the "review" of home space.

We hope to see you very soon.

In the meantime, enjoy a few thoughts and creations here.

natasha stoppel wood, watercolor, pyrography

anne kenny industrial quilts detail

artful harper studios mural

deb wheeler bean, handmade journals

side entrance

rose bryant, kayaking triptych

ree katrak, mixed media

laura harper lake, watercolor and ink

deb wheeler bean assemblage

dawn amey designs, thoughts

friends in the back painting garden

Call to Art by our Friends at Creative Guts Podcast

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Creative Guts for this special call to art for young creatives. Celebrating new visions and energy.

Creative Guts is a podcast focused on the pursuit of creativity. This interview-style podcast, founded by Laura Harper Lake and Sarah Wrightsman, will explore the roots of creativity, dive into the hearts of creators, and discover how creativity connects with the world around us.

Thank you, Creative Guts!