SEACOAST AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER - SYMBOLS OF PEACE EXHIBIT
The Seacoast African American Cultural Center (SAACC), under the direction of President Vernis Jackson, arranged for artist Richard Haynes, Jr., and his "Fundamentals of Design" graphic arts class at McIntosh College to adapt traditional Ghanian symbols of peace and harmony to create a Treaty Centennial exhibit, "Symbols of Peace." The exhibit opened July 31 with a free gallery reception for the public.
McIntosh College students creating the art for the exhibit included: Tracey Farley, Christina Kennedy, Dawn Gilbert, Kristy Ford, Bryan Oliver, Audrey Kerovac, Sara Standen, Naomi Johndron,Susan Lyndes, Eliot Weaver, Lisa Kearney, Amy-Lynn Michaud, Michelle Church, Heidrun Lemieux, Nicole Weymouth, Lisa Beauregard.
"The Seacoast African American Cultural Center asked us to create from African Symbols a depiction of what peace is as their contribution to the celebration of the Peace Treaty Centennial," said Haynes. "The students have come up with some amazing, extraordinary interpretations Celebrating with art is powerful if the message hanging on the wall makes us think."
McIntosh College students creating the art for the exhibit included: Tracey Farley, Christina Kennedy, Dawn Gilbert, Kristy Ford, Bryan Oliver, Audrey Kerovac, Sara Standen, Naomi Johndron,Susan Lyndes, Eliot Weaver, Lisa Kearney, Amy-Lynn Michaud, Michelle Church, Heidrun Lemieux, Nicole Weymouth, Lisa Beauregard.
"The Seacoast African American Cultural Center asked us to create from African Symbols a depiction of what peace is as their contribution to the celebration of the Peace Treaty Centennial," said Haynes. "The students have come up with some amazing, extraordinary interpretations Celebrating with art is powerful if the message hanging on the wall makes us think."
New Hampshire Art Association Juried Competition & Exhibit: The Art of Peace
The New Hampshire Art Association (NHAA) hosted an art competition and exhibition, "The Art of Peace" with renowned artist and peace activist Yoko Ono and Dr. Susan Lynch, First Lady of New Hampshire, as honorary co-chairs of the event. The exhibition was open to the public from July 20th through September 5th at the NH Art Association, in the Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery, 136 State Street, Portsmouth.
"Visual artists played an important part in documenting the visual history of this historic peace event," commented Robert Thoresen, Chairman of The Art of Peace program committee. "It is only fitting that a special art competition and exhibition be held as part of the treaty anniversary, celebrating one of the world's most celebrated peace events. We are delighted, and honored that Yoko Ono, one of the world's most renowned peace advocates and an acclaimed artist herself, as well as an individual with Japanese ancestry, has agreed to serve as a honorary co-chair of this event. We also greatly appreciate Dr. Lynch's participation and leadership in this event. She is committed to supporting the cultural arts in our state and we are delighted to have her involvement and support."
Commenting on The Art of Peace exhibition and competition, Yoko Ono stated, "It is my pleasure to serve with Susan Lynch as honorary co-chairs of The Art of Peace competition and exhibition. The Portsmouth Peace Treaty is a very important and enduring symbol of peace that is worthy of honoring and celebrating with this visual arts competition and exhibition."
Dr. Susan Lynch commented, "New Hampshire was proud to be host to one of the most important peace treaty negotiations and signing in world history. I am honored to be part of this celebration with the New Hampshire Art Association, and we thank the visual artists throughout the state who are presenting their work in this celebration of peace through art."
The exhibition's Call for Artists encouraged artists to submit original works, prepared specifically for this show, that reflect visions of peace and harmony, cessation of hostility, and negotiation vs. confrontation. Works of art specifically depicting scenes related to the Peace Treaty process were also encouraged. The show will award a total of $4,000 in prize money.
Robert Thoresen of Portsmouth was the inspiration for a similar art show marking the 90th anniversary of the treaty held ten years ago in 1995. Joining Robert Thoresen on the Art of Peace Program Committee are; Mark M. Bodi, Griffin Bodi & Krause, NHAA member Jane Fithian, and Van McLeod, New Hampshire Commissioner of Cultural Resources.The Art of Peace exhibition and competition was made possible, in part, through the generosity of the following sponsors: Byrne & Carlson Chocolates, Coventry Assets, Ltd., D.D. Cook Builders, Greater Piscataqua Community Foundation, Griffin Bodi & Krause, Grubb & Ellis/Coldstream Real Estate Advisors, Keystone Press, Marriott Residence Inn Merrimack, Morgan Stanley, Ocean National Bank, 100 Club, Piscataqua Savings Bank, Maguire Group, and United Beverages.
Special exhibit events:
Friday August 12 -- "The Art of Peace" Award Reception, New Hampshire Art Association, juried art competition and exhibit, co-chaired by NH First Lady Susan Lynch and Yoko Ono Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery.
"Visual artists played an important part in documenting the visual history of this historic peace event," commented Robert Thoresen, Chairman of The Art of Peace program committee. "It is only fitting that a special art competition and exhibition be held as part of the treaty anniversary, celebrating one of the world's most celebrated peace events. We are delighted, and honored that Yoko Ono, one of the world's most renowned peace advocates and an acclaimed artist herself, as well as an individual with Japanese ancestry, has agreed to serve as a honorary co-chair of this event. We also greatly appreciate Dr. Lynch's participation and leadership in this event. She is committed to supporting the cultural arts in our state and we are delighted to have her involvement and support."
Commenting on The Art of Peace exhibition and competition, Yoko Ono stated, "It is my pleasure to serve with Susan Lynch as honorary co-chairs of The Art of Peace competition and exhibition. The Portsmouth Peace Treaty is a very important and enduring symbol of peace that is worthy of honoring and celebrating with this visual arts competition and exhibition."
Dr. Susan Lynch commented, "New Hampshire was proud to be host to one of the most important peace treaty negotiations and signing in world history. I am honored to be part of this celebration with the New Hampshire Art Association, and we thank the visual artists throughout the state who are presenting their work in this celebration of peace through art."
The exhibition's Call for Artists encouraged artists to submit original works, prepared specifically for this show, that reflect visions of peace and harmony, cessation of hostility, and negotiation vs. confrontation. Works of art specifically depicting scenes related to the Peace Treaty process were also encouraged. The show will award a total of $4,000 in prize money.
Robert Thoresen of Portsmouth was the inspiration for a similar art show marking the 90th anniversary of the treaty held ten years ago in 1995. Joining Robert Thoresen on the Art of Peace Program Committee are; Mark M. Bodi, Griffin Bodi & Krause, NHAA member Jane Fithian, and Van McLeod, New Hampshire Commissioner of Cultural Resources.The Art of Peace exhibition and competition was made possible, in part, through the generosity of the following sponsors: Byrne & Carlson Chocolates, Coventry Assets, Ltd., D.D. Cook Builders, Greater Piscataqua Community Foundation, Griffin Bodi & Krause, Grubb & Ellis/Coldstream Real Estate Advisors, Keystone Press, Marriott Residence Inn Merrimack, Morgan Stanley, Ocean National Bank, 100 Club, Piscataqua Savings Bank, Maguire Group, and United Beverages.
Special exhibit events:
Friday August 12 -- "The Art of Peace" Award Reception, New Hampshire Art Association, juried art competition and exhibit, co-chaired by NH First Lady Susan Lynch and Yoko Ono Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery.