Please join us for the exhibit’s opening reception to honor all exhibiting artists Friday, May 4th, 5-7pm.

http://www.libraryartscenter.org/exhibits/juried-regional-exhibition/work-included-in-2012-juried-regional

Newport Holds Peeps Contest – Video – WMUR New Hampshire.

For more information about entering the Library Arts Center’s 2012 Juried Regional Competition, click here.

Snow may have recently fallen, but sure signs that spring may soon be upon us are the aisles of marshmallow Peeps candies popping up at local retailers.  Newport’s Library Arts Center is encouraging area residents to get creative with the bunny & chick-shaped sugar-coated marshmallows by using them to create dioramas for its first annual Peeps Diorama Contest, to take place on April 6^th.  Similar contests have been sweeping the nation for nearly a decade, with popular contests hosted by urban news publications such as the Washington Post, the Twin Cities Pioneer Press and the Denver Post.  The Library Arts Center’s contest, however, is the first of its kind in the Upper Valley region. “It is exciting to bring a Peeps Diorama Contest to New Hampshire,” says Arts Center executive director Kate Niboli. “Too often, we forget that art is for everyone, and that art can be fun and even silly!  We hope people will join in and have some fun being creative.”

A creative diorama from the Washington Post's Peeps Diorama Contest.

People of all ages are invited to create a diorama of any size featuring Peeps bunnies and chicks as the characters.  For those in need of inspiration, a Google image search of “Peeps Diorama” will reveal dozens of ideas, and may even inspire a good laugh.  “Some of the ideas children, families, community members & artists have shared with me about what they might create for the competition have made me laugh out loud” says Niboli. “I cannot wait to see these witty and fun creations in the gallery.” Peeps may be melted, squished, and manipulated in other innovative ways to create unique dioramas with scenes inspired by recent news stories, celebrities, or books & movies.  Dioramas in other contests have depicted scenes such as the Chilean mine rescue, Occupy Wall Street, or the landing of Captain “Sully’s” US Airways flight on the Hudson River.  Others boast celebrities, past and present, such as Elvis Presley or Justin Beiber (also known in marshmallow-speak as Elvis “Peep”ley & Justin “Peep”er).  Others boast fictional characters from literature & cinema such as Harry Potter and Scarlett O’Hara, or even a Biblical reference to Moses declaring “Let my ‘peep’-le go!”  In case you were wondering, it seems there are an infinite number of puns on the word “peep”.

The deadline for entries is Friday, April 6^th at 12:00 noon.  The entries will be displayed at a “Peeps Party” that evening in the Library Arts Center’s main gallery, from 5-6:30pm.  Refreshments will be served, and 1^st, 2^nd, & 3^rd place prizes will be awarded, as well as a grand prize for “Best in Peeps.”  Prizes have been generously provided by Peeps & Company.  The dioramas will also be on display in the gallery Saturday, April 7^th from 10am-2pm.  There is no entry fee, and the contest is open to all residents of New England.

The Library Arts Center is non-profit art gallery and studio located at 58 N. Main Street in Newport, New Hampshire.  The gallery is housed in the former carriage house of the historic mansion occupied by the Richards Free Library, across the street from the Newport Town Common. 

Contact:

Laura Jean Whitcomb editor/publisher, Kearsarge Magazine and Art & Gallery Guide editor/co-publisher, Upper Valley Life, UV Home Improvement Guide, and Kid Stuff phone/fax: (603) 863-7048 www.kearsargemagazine.com

If you are interested in this opportunity, please see this letter of invitation and the application form:  Visiting Nurse & Hospice Invitation to Artists

Robert Carsten's "Sunset"

The Many Moods of Light / Sunsets and Sunrises: A pastel painting workshop
Instructor: Robert Carsten, PSA, IAPS -MC
Date/Times: Saturday, July 14, 2012,  9:30am – 4pm
Description:  Explore the subtle, exquisite, poetic, and other visual qualities achieved with dramatic skies. Using bold color combinations, subtle, nuanced color temperatures, and rich, deep darks, we can create luminous, uncommonly strong and stunning visual effects using a subject that has figured prominently throughout art history. We will work from your sketches or photos.  Demonstration, critique, loads of fun and lots of painting time! All levels welcome.  Click here for a recommended Materials List.

Robert Carsten's "Early Autumn"

Farmlands in Pastel: A pastel painting workshop
Instructor:  Robert Carsten, PSA, IAPS -MC
Date/Times: Saturday, October 13, 2012, 9:30 AM – 4 PM Description:  Inspired by concepts and practices of early agrarian painters – as presented and demonstrated by the instructor – barns, silos, fields,  orchards, animals and more will be our muse. Work from your sketches and/or photos. Pastel techniques, composition development, value, color, dramatic light effects, quick sketch and finish techniques and more. Demonstrations, individual instruction, critiques and lots of fun.  All levels welcome.  Click here for a recommended Materials List.

Robert Carsten, a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, is a board member and signature member of the Pastel Society of America, a master’s circle artist in the International Association of Pastel Societies, and is a contributing writer to the Pastel Journal and The Artist’s Magazine. He is the Editor of PSA’s Pastelagram and Annual Exhibition Catalog. His pastel paintings have been shown in many museums and galleries and are collected worldwide. He is featured in Pure Color/The Best of Pastel, the Pastel Journal, American Art Review, the Artist’s Magazine and Strokes of Genius/The Best of Drawing. Visit his website: www.robertcarsten.com

Join in on the creative craze that is sweeping the country!  Newspapers, arts organizations and communities nationwide have hosted “Peeps Diorama Contests” in recent years, and in 2012, the Library Arts Center is pleased to bring this fun and creative competition to Newport and surrounding communities.

Inspiration:

Use your imagination.  The possibilities are endless!  If you are still in need of inspiration for your diorama, see examples of other dioramas by doing a Google search for “Peeps Diorama”.

The process:

1. Come up with an original scene featuring Peeps.  Both bunny & chick Peeps may be incorporated into your design.

2. Make your diorama using a shoebox or comparable item of reasonable size. The diorama must be able to be transported to the Library Arts Center to be eligible. Peeps may be altered, melted, and manipulated in any way you choose.  All entries must be in good taste.  The Library Arts Center reserves the right to omit any entries that contain any distasteful or vulgar content.

If you don’t know how to make a diorama, Google “how to make a diorama.”

3. You will also be asked to provide on the official entry form with the following:

a. Your name, age and hometown

b. The names, ages and hometowns of anybody who contributed to the diorama

c. A phone number and e-mail address

d. The title of your diorama and a sentence or two about its significance.

e.  Anyone under the age of 13 will be able to enter with parental permission.

4. Submissions are due no later than Friday, April 6th at 12:00 Noon. Submissions may be delivered to the Library Arts Center on Thursday, April 5th or Friday, April 6th during the gallery hours of 11am-4pm. The Entry Form should accompany your submission.

5. Winners will be announced at the Peeps Diorama “Opening Reception” on Friday, April 6th.  1st, 2^nd & 3^rd Prizes will be awarded, as well as a “Best Peeps in Show” award.

6.  The Peeps Dioramas will be on display during the opening reception on Friday, April 6^th, 5-6:30pm, and also on Saturday, April 7^th 10am-2pm.

7. Entries will be judged based on the following criteria a) a creative & original concept  b) creative use of and/or manipulation of peeps c) artful design

8. If you have additional questions, please contact us at lac@nhvt.net.

2012 LIBRARY ARTS CENTER JURIED REGIONAL EXHIBITION

Artists of the region are invited to submit work for the Juried Regional Exhibit.

Drop Off: Fri. April 20, 11:00am – 4pm & Sat., April 21, 10am – 12 noon, or by prior arrangement

Exhibit:  May 5 – June 15, with an opening reception Friday, May 4, 5 – 7pm

This is a juried exhibit, selected by arts professionals familiar with regional art work.  Painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography and mixed media are welcome.  Artists may submit two recent works made in the last two years.  All works must be labeled with artist’s name, address, title of work, medium, price and be gallery ready for hanging or display.  Large sculpture entries may be submitted as digital jpeg images by April 10^th.  Bring the ENTRY FORM and ENTRY FEE with you when dropping off your work.  Please do NOT send these items to the Library Arts Center before drop-off.

ENTRY FEE FOR TWO WORKS: $5 for LAC members, $10 for non-members

PICK UP:  Work not selected for the exhibit will not be insured past the official pickup date & must be picked up promptly. Pickup date for unselected work is Saturday April 28, 10am – 12noon or by arrangement made with the director. Work selected for the exhibit must stay for the entire exhibit, and is subject to 30% LAC commission on sales if you choose to have it for sale.

Pickup for work included in the exhibit : Work may be picked up after the close of the exhibit Friday June 15 from  4 – 5:30pm or Saturday June 16 from 10am – 12noon or by arrangement made with the director.  Prompt pick-up or arrangements for pick-up are essential.  Work in the exhibit is insured until pick-up dates. No exceptions are made for work to be picked up before the close of the exhibit.

SELECTIONS COMPETITION:

Artists are encouraged to also compete for a chance to exhibit  their work in the Library Arts Center Regional Selections Exhibit.  Jurors will choose a select number of artists, from those who choose to compete, to return to the Arts Center and exhibit a larger body of work in a group show to be held in the gallery during the 2013 exhibit season.  Artists must submit 6-8 examples of their work as digital jpeg images on disk, or photographs, as well as their bio & artist statement (in addition to the two works submitted for Juried Regional) to be considered for the Selections exhibit. Artists should note their wish to be considered on the entry form.

Click here for the Juried Regional 2012 Entry Form

Creating Comics Workshop for Kids

Instructor: Marek Bennet

Ages: 4th-6th Graders

Tuition: $15.00 (includes both days, and materials!)

Dates/Times: Mon., Feb. 27 & Fri., Mar. 2 (during school vacation week)

Hours: 9am – 3pm (bring a brown bag lunch)

Maximum enrollment: 10

Description: Everybody can be a cartoonist! In this fun, two-day workshop students will learn quick & powerful ways to create characters & develop interesting stories from professional cartoonist & instructor Marek Bennet! This class is the first of hopefully many partnerships with Communities United Regional Network for Sullivan County, supporting kids living healthy lives and making positive choices. At the end of the second class, each participant will have a self-published pocket-sized mini comic. Directly following the end of the second class, there will be a “comic convention” in the studio where students can share their finished comics with family and friends.

This class is co-sponsored by The Library Arts Center and Communities United Regional Network for Sullivan County, supporting kids living healthy lives and making positive choices.