Art keeps us in the good place

Hello art friends. Like so many of you, we are looking forward to the times when we can all be safe and "in touch" with one another. We hope you have found ways to bridge the gaps, to find peace, and to help others if possible. Everyone has been affected.

Until we see you again, enjoy a few pictures of recent art made by the artists of Art Up Front Street.

Artist Explores the World

 Corrine Gilman Story Dolls

Ree Katrak

Artful Harper Studios

Deb Wheeler-Bean

Danielle Gaynor

Industrial Quilts

Dawn Amey Designs

Rose Bryant

Youth Art Month at Art Up Front Street

We would love to extend a huge thank you to the children of Main Street School, Lincoln Street School, the art teachers - Marnie Bird and Elly LaBranche, and artist educator Deb Wheeler-Bean for all the work and beauty that went into the creation and organization of this exhibit. We, here at the studio, are so lucky to have been surrounded by this energy on our walls.

Due to obvious circumstances, the exhibit has been very short-lived for the public. At some point, when things are safe, we will be able to open our doors again

Take a look at a few of the photos from the prep beforehand and the opening March 7. Thank you again to the community of artists, teachers, parents and children who are responsible for making this event a lovely success. Be well and safe, everyone. Keep making art!

Creative Guts Podcast. Artist "Meet n' Critique" March 10

Another fabulous idea by our friends at Creative Guts. 

Are you an artist looking for a supportive environment and genuine feedback on your work? 

Do you want to meet other artists and share ideas and conversation?

RSVP to CreativeGutsPodcast@Gmail.com

The Afternotes at Art Up Front Street

We are thrilled to be sharing "practice" time with The Afternotes a capella group here at the studios.
This event is open to all creatives.

Email RSVP required to artupfrontstreet@gmail.com.
Bring your writing, your painting, your drawing, any quiet-ish process.
The Afternotes will practice a few arrangements while artists create!

No pressure...
Good community...
Creative energy flowing while we all process our art.

Be inspired by the sounds and the rhythms... and absorb the vibe of a working art environment. 

Wednesday nite, February 19, from 6:30-8:30.
ARRIVE 6:15 ish through the front door.
Tables, chairs, snacks and a few bevs available.

The Afternotes is a women’s a cappella group based on the seacoast of New Hampshire and Southern Maine. This multi-generation group of UNH alumni bring a fun style and varied repertoire to their performances, showcasing their love of making music. The Afternotes also strive to bring awareness to local causes and raise money for NH and Maine based charities.
For information about their upcoming events, go to https://theafternotes.com/

Youth Art Month. March 2020

Celebrating this year's Youth Art Month!
Lincoln Street School and Main Street School
at Art Up Front Street, Exeter, NH.
Student Art Show, Open to the Public.
OPEN HOURS: Tu We 10-7. Th, Fr, Sa 10-4.

We could not be more thrilled to host this event this year!
Thank you to Marnie Bird, Eleanor Croteau-LaBranche, and Deb Wheeler-Bean for coordinating and allowing us to host this lovely event representing some of the beautiful work of the students. We only wish we had more room because we love ALL art made by young students.

A plus this year is there are TWO days each week in which the gallery is open until 7pm.
Tuesday and Wednesday 10-7.

DETAILS::
~ OPENING RECEPTION SATURDAY, March 7th.
2 different times. MSS 10-1. LSS 1-4.

~ LOCATION: Art Up Front Street, 120 Front St. Exeter. 418-6286
~ PARKING: on street. SPECIAL assistance in left back parking lot. (No parking in the lot to the right of the studio. That lot is private.)
~ DURATION: March 7 thru March 28
~ HOURS: Tuesday & Wednesday 10-7, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10-4.

Instagram for 2020, Class in Exeter, NH

Yes! Back again this year..... Natasha Stoppel's very NECESSARY workshop for creatives. Thank you, Natasha.

Details:

February 4th: Beginners Instagram Class

February 18th: Intermediate Instagram Class

6 - 8 pm

$40 each or both classes for $60

MUST PRE-REGISTER! Space is limited.

To register, e-mail your name and Instagram handle to: ArtistExplorestheWorld@gmail.com

For all the details of each class go to facebook

Sean K. Preston at Art Up Front, Exeter, NH

We are THRILLED to be welcoming this bunch to the studio! They are making a very rare acoustic appearance. Sign-ups by email are required. All the details are below.

EMAIL RSVP REQUIRED. Details below.

Sean K. Preston is an internationally touring artist from Baltimore, MD. The band is currently on tour, sharing their raucous honkytonk, dirty blues, roadhouse rock ‘n’ roll, and tear jerking country balladry.

The music of Sean K. Preston draws heavily on the influences of the classic heartbroken sounds of Country & Western music from the 1940’s - 1970’s, the honesty of the Blues by the likes of Robert Johnson and John Lee Hooker, the bombast of 50’s Rock’n’Roll, the lyrical sophistication of musical poets like Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and Nick Cave, the raw energy of Punk, and the spirituality of Mountain Gospel. His own songs range from delicate laments and lullabies to fiery sermons and confessions.

~ Acoustic performances for this event
~ RSVP BY EMAIL to: ArtUpFrontStreet@gmail.com
~ Choose your seating for 5:30 or 7:30 and state how many people
~ $10 couple, $5 individual suggested donation at door
~ DOORS OPEN 5pm
~ BYOB. snacks / apps are provided
~ Over 21 event
~ STREET Parking ONLY
~ USE FRONT DOOR

Merch sales: t-shirts, cds, vinyl

https://open.spotify.com/album/7eQGef5kYJb5Eunscg522i
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-MHIlIEMj4
https://www.facebook.com/seankprestonmusic

Can't wait to see you!

Art Up Front, sneak peek, "The Art Guide to South Coast Maine and Seacoast NH"

ok... we LOVE this publication by Phineas Graphics. You may have seen it. It is available at most local art associations and galleries. 

We are thrilled to be a part of the 2020 publication. We know that all things have gone digital.... BUT paper is not dead.

Friends and local bookstores continue to keep the flames of paper-in-hand burning. (no puns intended).
Phineas Graphics is one of those businesses in Portsmouth.

Yes, digital is awesome, but really..... the texture of a paper page?..... a cozy corner with a favorite read?.... a collection of images and enlightenment with pages that can be turned back and forth?

Phineas has been dedicated, for years, to that process of the hands-on, the eye-to-design, AND the local representation of what we all seek... inspiration, acknowledgement, and the stuff that makes our senses sing.

The cool thing is they put . this . tiny . little . publication . together. for . artists. Drink it in!

If you are an artist, stop asking yourself if paper is passe.

Art Up Front Street page from 2019

You know ...... you paint on paper, you paint on canvas, you make pottery, you sculpt, you carve, you burn, you touch.... all because you are an artist. Why shouldn't you have a love affair with a textural "thing" that shows your textural work?

Imagine this conversation starter.... "I am an artist. Here is a sample of what I do and the community I am surrounded by".

Below is the sneak peek of our page in the next "The Art Guide 2020, to South Coast Maine and Seacoast NH." Look for it around the beginning of May. Thank you Phineas Graphics for keeping us beautifully connected.

Art Up Front Street page for 2020. Sneak peek. Out in May.

OPEN STUDIOS! Save the date.

Annual Art Up Front Street Open Studios

May 2&3, Saturday Sunday, 10-4 each day.

~ original paintings, prints, adornments, pottery,

metal, cards, assemblage, fiber, photography,

mixed media

~ 9 artist studios + 2 guest artists

~ plenty of street parking

Lots of color, fun, treats at Uptown Exeter's 9-studio artists collective. 

120 Front Street, Exeter, NH:

Danielle Gaynor - Bead, fiber, textile

Anne Kenny - "Industrial Quilts"

Artful Harper Studios -multi media

Deb Wheeler-Bean - Assemblage, photography

Dawn Amey Designs - adornments

Ree Katrak - Mixed Media

Corrine Gilman - Stitched Expressions, Story Dolls

Artist Explores the World - jewelry, pyrography, watercolor

Rose Bryant original Paintings - large abstracts 

(guest) Dale Atkins - ceramic vessels 

(guest) Jeff Whittum - upcycled metal sculpture

Painting Open Studio at Art Up Front Street February 13

Group "Painting Open Studio" with Rose Bryant at Art Up Front Street in Exeter, NH.

This is one of our favorite, easy, open-ended, no-stress things to do in the winter. Sign-up by email.

Thursday February 13

10AM to 1PM

Bring your materials.... it can be ANYTHING you want to do... drawing, writing, collage, painting,...

We have chairs, tables, room for your easel. Parking is on the left rear side of the studio in the back lot. Bathrooms, water, accessible... plus nice people. 

Open to all abilities and mediums. Take a break with us to sketch, paint, or watch a process. There is always tea... and cookies. Join us!

$10. 

SIGN-UPS NECESSARY. No drop-ins. Thanks.

We have space for about 7 people.

Sign up by email to artupfrontstreet@gmail.com

Art collective experience in Exeter, New Hampshire

There are so many things on which to reflect as we look back at the three years since opening in January 2017. Like everyone else in an organization, it is easy to look at the things you can measure.... or the things you imagined that did or did not happen.

One of the "things" we didn't expect and never planned for was the sense of friendship and family we have at the studio. Sure... we thought about space, lights, types of art, classes and events that would engage the public.... operational stuff. But.... we did not plan for the relationships and (at the risk of sounding mushy) we did not plan for the love. 

We have seen artists (strangers) meet other other artists and become fast friends. We have seen tears of happiness and tears of sadness. We have held confidences. We have partnered with others. We have shared family and friends and broadened our "knowns". And, we have helped each other make better art by talking about the process and the love of the process. 

Relationships here in the collective have made us all better artists. The relationships have given some of us the ability to fly: to change subject matter, to try a new process, to engage another community connection. This collective experience of growth and change shows in the art we produce and what we aspire to do. These relationships and experiences inside our walls make the experience for a visitor or an art seeker even better. 

Because of the support of the artists for other artists within our collective, the visitor has the unique opportunity to experience that energy. It is kind of a funny thing.... Is it "what goes around comes around" but in a very positive way? ...Do we do make that energy intentionally? Yes. We intentionally make stuff and make friendships.... and that turns into energy. 

Then, one day .... the front door opens. 

We see you, the guest, walk in, look around and say ...

..."what good energy" 

...."such a nice experience".

And we say... that's what we have learned. 

Creative Guts Podcast. Check it out.

Wow. We are stunned at what these friends, Sarah Wrightsman and Laura Harper-Lake, have accomplished in such a short time. What they are doing for the creative community is no less than amazing. They are the storytellers of creatives from all sorts of adventures and associations .... not just "visual artists". You MUST take a look (and a listen). And, yes, they have a mascot. Luna, Sarah's bunny. 💗 Thank you, Laura and Sarah for giving a voice to so many people doing amazing things.

https://www.creativegutspodcast.com/