Concord artist and gallery owner Jess Barnett is currently inviting entries from the public for the gallery’s first group art exhibition, titled “Summer Haze,” happening from Aug. 6 to Sept. 3. An in-person or virtual (Zoom) reception will be held on Aug. 13, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Whether the reception will be held in person or over Zoom will be determined in early June and is dependent on the COVID-19 situation in New Hampshire at the time. The entry deadline is June 30. The gallery, located in the Patriot Investment building at 4 Park Street in Suite 216 in downtown Concord, is now open by appointment and will be open to the public to view the exhibition, with hours to be determined. The public is welcome to attend the in-person or virtual opening reception on Aug. 13. Jess Barnett, a self-taught artist who has been painting since 2004, relocated from Massachusetts to Concord two years ago. She hopes the gallery will help fill the void in Concord as there have not historically been many venues displaying and selling abstract art. Below are more details about the group exhibition. Full details and instructions on how to apply can be found at tinyurl.com/summerhaze2021.
What does “summer haze” mean to you? New England artists (those from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) are invited to submit 1-2 works for consideration for this group exhibition with the theme “Summer Haze.” This group art show is open to 2D artists, 3D artists, and photographers. No reproductions of original paintings or drawings are allowed. The maximum size of an artwork display area is 24” width x 36” height. Types of 2D work accepted are book/paper art, digital art, paintings, drawings, collage, encaustic, fiber art, textiles, mixed media, photography, and printmaking. Contact jesskbarnett@gmail.com.
Hawk Baseball Camp will be held June 28 through July 1 (rain date July 2) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is a kid-friendly opportunity for young players 7-15 to learn the skills and fundamentals that will help them gain confidence and improve their game. In the morning, Hopkinton High School coaches and players will provide instruction for each age level on different fields. Campers will have the opportunity to showcase what they’ve learned in afternoon games. For a registration form, please call Dave Chase at 545-2960 or email 4chaseteam@comcast.net. Space is limited.
Twenty-six candidates will share $100,000 in educational grants being awarded by the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program during its competition on April 30 and May 1 in The Armory Exhibit Hall at the DoubleTree Inn by Hilton in downtown Manchester. The competition returns after having to cancel in 2020 due to COVID-19. The young woman crowned Miss New Hampshire 2021 will receive a $20,000 educational grant and compete for the national title at the Mohegan Sun Hotel & Casino in Connecticut this December. “While we were forced to cancel last year’s competition, our non-profit Foundation continued their efforts to raise scholarship funds and placed us in a position where we could make a substantial award this year,” said Board President, Brenda E. Keith. “It’s really fitting that we are able to give $100,000 in a year when the Miss America Organization is celebrating the 100th Anniversary of its competition that began in Atlantic City, NJ in 1921.” Sarah Tubbs, the current state titleholder has held the title for the past two years and most all of the 26 young women representing their towns and cities have likewise been waiting for almost two years for the competition to determine who will succeed Tubbs. The competition, usually held in the Stockbridge Theatre at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, had to be relocated this year because of COVID restrictions. Because of limitations placed on venues with live audiences, each competition event will be limited to 312 attendees. To compensate in providing families and friends of the candidates who could not purchase tickets, the three shows will be livestreamed on missnh.edifymultimedia.com. Face coverings are being required for audience members as well as staff during the three-day event in accordance with CDC recommendations.
The Hopkinton Town Library is seeking two- and three-dimensional work created during the COVID-19 pandemic. This might be work created to escape the situation or inspired by it. All media welcome. The library will be installing the new show on the walls of the gallery and in the library in September 2021. The gallery committee will review all submissions and select the items for display. Please submit photos of your work with your name and a note regarding dimensions and medium by July 6 to info@hopkintontownlibrary.org. One submission per individual.