Friday, November 26, 2010

Flights of Imagination Exhibit Comes to Children’s Museum of NH


DOVER—
From the beginning of history, humans have been fascinated by flight and the possibility of exploring worlds beyond our own. The new Flights of Imagination exhibit at the Children’s Museum of NH showcases the fanciful work of three New Hampshire artists who share their otherworldly visions in this intergalactic artistic treat. This exhibit will be on display in Gallery 6 at the Children’s Museum of NH from December 3, 2010 – March 6, 2011.
David Random reclaims antique mechanical and architectural parts and transforms them into exquisite antique airships and retro rockets. Think Jules Verne and Buck Rogers with a uniquely “Random” twist!
The late Bill Oakes had a love of adventure. One night, he noticed a piece of rusted steel that looked like a moonscape. Thus inspired, he began a 5-year exploration of imaginary planetary surfaces, revealing the mountains and valleys of these worlds through painting and monoprints.
Nationally known for his murals, including two commissioned by the McAuliffe-Shepard Planetarium in Concord, NH, as well as for his graphics, illustration, and paintings, Gordon Carlisle offers his own wonderfully humorous depiction of space travel in a series of collages and paintings.
The Flights of Imagination exhibit in Gallery 6 can be viewed during regular business hours at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday noon – 5 pm. No admission fee is required to view the gallery only. Regular admission applies for families who wish to explore the rest of the museum.
About the Artists
David Random graduated in 1969 with a Fine Arts degree from Massachusetts College of Art. Since that time, he has been prominent in the Boston advertising community, and is currently retired from his position as Executive Creative Director at DiBona, Bornstein & Random, the advertising agency, which he co-founded in 1989. David is currently a resident of the New Hampshire seacoast area. His studio is at the Mills at Salmon Falls in Rollinsford, New Hampshire, a mid-nineteenth century mill complex with one hundred resident artists. More of his work may be viewed at www.davidrandom.com.
Bill Oakes was a celebrated artist, illustrator, art educator, inventor, and community activist. He held a Master’s Degree in Critical and Creative Thinking from the University of Massachusetts in Boston where he taught several creativity courses. Bill did numerous illustrations for The Franklin Library, “Time Magazine,” “National Geographic,” “Reader’s Digest,” “American Magazine,” “Yankee Magazine,” The Washington Post, The Christian Science Monitor, ABC News and CBS News. He was a courtroom artist for the historic Watergate hearings. He illustrated numerous books, magazines, and a record album as well as his own art instruction manuals and children’s books. Later in his career, Bill was inspired to explore paintings and constructions depicting imaginary planetary surfaces. He passed on in October 2005, but information about his art remains available at www.mindleaps.com.
Gordon Carlisle began studying art as a teen and has enjoyed a career that has included silkscreen printing, oil painting, set-building and more. He moved to Portsmouth in 1982 and set up a studio in the historic Button Factory. His work focus shifted to mural painting and decorative commissions, and he has completed projects for Fidelity Investments, NH Hospital, the NH Veteran’s Home and the NH Department of Fish & Game, among many others. In 1999, Gordon was awarded a NH State Council on the Arts Individual Artist Fellowship for his activity as a muralist. Additionally, he offers portraiture, graphics and illustration. More information about his work can be found at www.gordoncarlisle.com.
About the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire: The not-for-profit Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is located at 6 Washington Street in Dover and offers two levels of hands-on, custom-created exhibits for children ages 1-12. Children can explore a wide range of subjects, from dinosaurs, music and aeronautics to world cultures, art and natural history. Open year-round, the museum hosts a variety of live performances, workshops, classes and special events for families. For more information, please call the museum at (603) 742-2002 or visit www.childrens-museum.org.
Photo caption: Artist David Random creates rockets from found objects. His work will be on display at the Children’s Museum of NH from December 3 – March 6. (Courtesy photo)

Time-Honored Seacoast Tradition Returns to Strawbery Banke


PORTSMOUTH—
With nearly 7,000 visitors in attendance at last year’s event, Strawbery Banke Museum is gearing up to make its 31st annual Candlelight Stroll the best ever. The Stroll takes place December 4-5, 11-12, and 18-19 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm on Saturdays and 4:00 to 8:00pm on Sundays. Candlelight Stroll is generously supported by the New Hampshire State Council for the Arts, Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, Lincoln Financial Group, the Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel, Darrell’s Music Hall, Bruce Mast & Associates, Inc., Northeast Credit Union, and Wentworth Greenhouses.
The Stroll showcases 350 years of seasonal and holiday traditions against the backdrop of the Museum’s furnished historic houses. On these weekend evenings, the Museum grounds glow with hundreds of luminaria, the houses are adorned in period-appropriate holiday finery of live greens and dried flowers, and the scents and sounds of the season abound. As visitors stroll from house to historic house, costumed role players demonstrate the traditions of times past, inviting guests to indulge their senses and sensibilities in a visit to simpler times.
The Museum’s annual gingerbread house contest will showcase the architectural confections of many talented individuals and groups and is a true “can’t miss” exhibit. Music of all kinds, past and present, will heighten the holiday mood throughout the museum. Visitors can stroll the candlelit Museum grounds on foot, or travel in style in a horse-drawn carriage. A toasty bonfire crackles throughout the event to warm frosty fingers and toes. Complimentary refreshments and hot apple cider are offered at the Cider Shed. Pitt Tavern – visited in its heyday by such luminaries as George Washington, John Hancock, and the Marquis de Lafayette – will serve savory hot soups and fresh baked goods throughout the evening. Traditional hearth cooking demonstrations, craft demonstrations, and winter crafts for kids provide interactive fun for young and old alike. Now an annual holiday tradition for many families, the Candlelight Stroll provides a charming, intergenerational return to the roots of America’s most treasured holiday activities and customs.
“The beautiful, lively, and festive atmosphere of the event combined with the rich history of the Puddle Dock neighborhood really make the Candlelight Stroll a unique way to celebrate the season with friends and family,” states Strawbery Banke Museum president Lawrence Yerdon. “It’s a magical holiday experience and we hope you’ll join us as we celebrate the 31st year of the Stroll.”
Avoid lines by purchasing tickets in advance. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.strawberybanke.org. Tickets are $20/adults, $10/children (ages 5-17), and $50/family. Group and corporate rates are available. Visitors who are concerned about parking for this popular event can enjoy all that Portsmouth has to offer hassle free with the free Vintage Christmas trolley connecting Strawbery Banke Museum, The Music Hall, the municipal parking garage on Hanover Street, and numerous free satellite parking areas. The trolley is generously provided by the City of Portsmouth as part of a Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth. The Vintage Christmas collaboration aims to highlight the rich seasonal programs of Strawbery Banke Museum and The Music Hall, and is the result of a fruitful collaboration among the City of Portsmouth, Strawbery Banke Museum, The Music Hall, the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, and local hotels and retail shops. For more information on scheduled activities and participating hotels, visit www.VintageChristmasNH.org.
Photo caption: The Strawbery Banke Museum will host its 31st Annual Candlelight Stroll in December. (Photo by David J. Murray)