— Plainfield Barn, Ellen Hopkins Fountain
The Great Bay Stewards are pleased to announce the upcoming Art of Great Bay fine art exhibit and sale, now in its 18th year. This event celebrates works inspired by the theme “New England from the Mountains to the Sea: The People and Places You’ll Find Along the Way.” More than 50 local and well-known artist and makers of fine crafts will be represented at the art show, which is a major fundraiser for the Great Bay Stewards, the friends group for the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
The event will begin with an opening reception with the artists on April 5 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The show will then continue on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event takes place at the Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center on the campus of the Great Bay Discovery Center at 91 Depot Road, Greenland, N.H.
“Every year we are thrilled to receive works celebrating the region’s recreational opportunities, iconic buildings and natural beauty, agricultural heritage, people, flora and fauna, and more,” says Allison Knab, executive director of the Great Bay Stewards. “This is such a beloved event for our supporters, volunteers, participants, and all those who attend. We are so impressed by the quality of the work submitted, and are thrilled to have both long-time participants as well as emerging artists this year.”
In addition to painting and photography, visitors will be able to view and purchase jewelry, sculpture, fabric art, and more. Many of the participating artists have also generously donated original works to be raffled off, from small paintings to jewelry to original weavings, with raffle tickets just $1 each.
A tea with live music is planned for 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, while on Sunday at 11 a.m., visitors will enjoy a casual brunch while they view the show. The entire weekend is free and open to the public. Thirty percent of the sales support the Steward’s mission of education and conservation in the Great Bay Estuary, and while at the exhibit, visitors can also walk the grounds of the Great Bay Discovery Center and enjoy the boardwalk that leads out to beautiful views of Great Bay.
The Great Bay Stewards would like to thank its sponsors for supporting this important event, Bay Breeze Dentistry and Piscataqua Savings Bank.