On Tuesday, August 26, AVA welcomed sixteen students (and even one Dean!) from Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine to our arts community for a different kind of lesson. Instead of lectures and labs, these future doctors rolled up their sleeves, grabbed some gloves, and got their hands dirty in AVA’s perennial beds and rooftop garden.

The volunteer crew pulled weeds, spread mulch, and breathed new life into our end-of-summer gardens. The transformation was incredible, and proof that many hands really do make light work. Thanks to their efforts, AVA’s outdoor spaces are looking fresh and ready to continue welcoming visitors to enjoy their beauty.

AVA’s Executive Director, Lars Hasselblad Torres, shared:

“It was just amazing to have the energy and spirit of Dartmouth’s Geisel Medical School first year students at AVA for an afternoon of hands-on care for our facility and grounds. A total breath of fresh energy that blew me away: our grounds look absolutely fantastic heading into fall. On behalf of AVA’s board, staff, and community of support — big thanks to Associate Dean Pinto-Powell and the Geisel team for making this happen!”

About the Partnership

This collaboration is part of Geisel’s Community Connect and Collaborate Day, which introduces first-year medical students to organizations across the Upper Valley. AVA was thrilled to be chosen as a partner again this year, and to have the opportunity to share the connection between creativity, wellness, and community involvement.

Many thanks again to the Geisel volunteering crew for bringing their energy, teamwork, and care to AVA. 

Is your organization Interested in making an impact at AVA? Learn more here: https://avagallery.org/support-us/

What do earth, air, water, and fire have in common? For AVA artist Elizabeth D’Amico, they’re more than ancient symbols—they’re a call to protect our planet.

In her Four Elements exhibition presented by the New Hampshire Art Association, Elizabeth transforms upcycled materials—canvas from past works, leftover acrylics, and even plastic paper—into bold, abstract expressions of the natural world. Each piece sparks conversation about the climate crisis, the problem of plastics, and our power to create change.

Experience Elizabeth’s exhibition for yourself at the Concord Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center Gallery in Concord, NH, through September 8. You can also find her work in the Bank Street Gallery at AVA Gallery, and online at elizabethdamico.com.

If you’ve visited AVA’s Sculptural Studies Building in the past four years, you might have met one of AVA’s artists, Leo Reinhard, or maybe even seen his mesmerizing metal sculptures in action.

Reinhard’s work, composed of hand-bent copper wire and mesmerizingly suspended marbles, bridges engineering and play. His sculptures invite interaction, reflecting a deep-rooted belief that art should spark curiosity and movement.

Reinhard recently participated in the 2025 Smithsonian Craft Show, the nation’s premier showcase for the finest in hand-crafted, American artisanal works. His work earned the Artists’ Choice Gold Award – a prestigious recognition voted on by fellow exhibiting artists. “It was incredible to be honored by my peers like that,” Reinhard shared with AVA staff upon his return to the Upper Valley.

Winning the Artists’ Choice Award affirms what many who’ve seen his work at AVA already knew: Leo Reinhard’s art delights and inspires across generations.

Experience the sculptures for yourself at the upcoming Annual League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair in Sunapee, NH, August 2-10, online at lcrart.com, and on Instagram @leo.sculptures.