AVA’s Fall 2012 and Winter 2013 brochure is now available throughout Lebanon and Hanover, NH, and White River Junction, VT. Please look where you regularly find print publications to find yours.
If you are on AVA’s mailing list, you should get your copy in your mailbox in the coming week.
If you are not on AVA’s mailing list, but would like to have a copy sent to your home – please email us.
June 29 – August 3, 2012
Juror: Janie Cohen, Director, Fleming Museum of Art, University of Vermont, Burlington
The Juror’s Recognition Awards were given to Duncan Johnson of Hartford, VT for his work in reclaimed wood and mixed-media, “Nightshade”; to Phil Lonergan of Campton, NH for his steel sculpture, “Kitchen Triptych”; and to Laurie Sverdlove of Randolph, VT for her oil painting, “Quick Now, Here Now, Always.” The three award winners received cash prizes made possible by Ledyard National Bank’s sponsorship of this exhibition.
Cohen also gave Honorable Mention awards to three artists “working figuratively in vastly different ways.” These awards were given to Harry Bernard of Walpole, NH for his mixed-media painting, “Was Here 12.2”; to Lisa Rae Spahl of Henniker, NH for her stitching on fabric, “Stumped in Thought”; and to Seano Whitecloud of Fairlee, VT for his video, “The Shape of Being: Universal Body.”
This year’s inaugural recipient of the Annual Cornelia M. Rahmelow Photography Prize was M.L. Gitchel of Piermont, NH for her black and white photograph, “The Captain and Marion.”
Click here to read Janie Cohen’s juror’s statement.
Sponsored by Ledyard National Bank
The historical display area features part of an exterior wall of an old warehouse that came to light during AVA’s 2006-2007 renovation of the former H.W. Carter & Sons overall factory. The warehouse was built in 1859 by H.W. Carter when he was a young traveling salesman, then known as “The Merchant Prince of New England.” From 1870 on, after Carter had decided to become a manufacturer of work clothes, he built addition after addition around this warehouse as the factory expanded.
After more than a hundred years of manufacturing, the H.W. Carter & Sons overall factory closed its doors in 1985. In 1990, AVA became a tenant at 11 Bank Street, then acquired the building in 2003. During the ensuing renovation, part of the old warehouse, with its original slate roof supported by Victorian brackets, was revealed. Segments of the slate roof have also been incorporated into the east walls of the adjacent renovated bathrooms on the first floor – unsuspecting visitors all delight in the fact that these modern “green” restrooms, with dual-flush toilets, also feature the “archeological remains” of a nineteenth-century structure. This historical display area, which is augmented with vintage clothing, tools and mementos showcasing a vital manufacturing past, offers visitors a fascinating insight into the building’s importance in the history of Lebanon and the Upper Valley.
At the reception and unveiling on Saturday, April 28, remarks will be given by Stephanie Jackson, granddaughter of H.B. Jackson, who was co-owner of the H.W. Carter & Sons from 1902 to 1928, and sole owner until 1965, when his two sons, Frank and Stanley took over the ownership. Members of Lebanon Historical Society and trustees from the Lane and Elizabeth C. Dwinell Charitable Trust will also be present.
Artist Cornelia M. Rahmelow (1943-2012) had her studio in AVA’s 11 Bank Street building in the 1990’s.Her photographs exhibit an innovative use of perspective and a mastery of natural light in her traditional black-and-white portraits.
This prize is designed to provide an incentive for rising young artists and to recognize an artwork that combines original artistic vision and outstanding technical skill—elements that characterized Cornelia’s own work.
The winner will be selected by the Juror and a member of the Upper Valley artistic community familiar with Cornelia’s work. The prize is accompanied by a $250 award.
Presents:
In partnership with Art in the Twenty-First Century (Art21) and its Access ’12 initiative to increase knowledge of contemporary art, AVA is proud to present free screenings of two new episodes from the sixth season of Art 21, the only primetime national television series focused exclusively on contemporary art. AVA is located at 11 Bank Street in Lebanon, NH.
On Thursday, April 19 at 6pm, AVA will show Episode 2: Boundaries. This program looks at artists who synthesize disparate aesthetic traditions, present taboo subject matter, discover innovative uses of media, and explore the shape-shifting potential of the human figure. Featured are David Altmejd, assume vivid astro focus, Lynda Benglis, and Tabaimo.
On Thursday, April 26 at 6:30pm, AVA will show Episode 4: Balance. Through sculpture, paintings, and installations, the artists in this hour grapple with equilibrium and disequilibrium as they create highly structured works that challenge conventional notions of perception and representation. Featured are Rackstraw Downes, Robert Mangold, and Sarah Sze.
Both screenings are free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. Please join us!
Announcing:
July 30—August 3, 2012
AVA is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for The First Annual Greg Hemberger Sustainable Architecture Workshops for Teens, which will take place from July 30-August 3, 2012. This workshop was created in memory of the architect Greg Hemberger, with the support of the Greg Hemberger Memorial Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, established by Hemberger’s family and friends.
Structured for young people with an interest in sustainable design and construction, this five-day workshop will consist of hands-on morning sessions at AVA, led by local professionals, and afternoon visits to local architecture offices, construction companies, and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings. The workshop will incorporate architectural design principles, free-hand drawing, model-building, sustainability standards, and other pertinent topics. It will also provide students with new design skills, personal portfolio material, and an idea of whether sustainable architecture and construction is of potential career interest to them.
Participation is limited to 12 students from grades 10-12. Tuition for this five-day (9am-5pm), 40-hour workshop is $350. Scholarships are available to those who need assistance with all or part of the tuition. >> Application forms are available by clicking here <<, as well as in guidance counselors’ offices at area high schools.
Eliza McLellan, a senior majoring in Sustainable Architecture in Connecticut College’s Architectural Studies program, will be running the workshop; local professionals will be guest instructors.
Greg Hemberger’s commitment to architecture started at age 15 with his model-building business, which served architects in the New Haven, CT area. Before his sudden death in 2006, Hemberger, as a partner at Banwell Architects, worked on many buildings in the region, Including the Norwich Elementary School, Hanover’s Middle School and High School, Crossroads Academy, Thetford Academy, Proctor Academy, Kimball Union Academy, and Cardigan Mountain School.
AVA wishes to thank the many individuals who have worked to make possible this new program: Brian Walsh, Stu White, Jack Wilson, Bill and Betsy Peabody, Eliza McLellan, Ingrid Nichols, and especially June, Ben and Gretchen Hemberger. The Hemberger’s commitment to making this program a part of AVA’s multi-faceted offerings takes on a special significance, given that the architectural firm responsible for the renovation design of AVA’s LEED Gold-certified building is Banwell Architects.
Last November, during the presentation of the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce (HACC) Business and Community Leadership Awards, much praise was bestowed upon AVA. As noted in our previous publication, AVA was the recipient of the “2011 Business Innovator of the Year Award”—one of four HACC awards.
Each of the awardees had sponsors who, in their eloquent speeches, succinctly summarized the specific achievements that earned their awards. AVA was deeply honored to be sponsored by longtime supporters Jane Kitchel and Peter McLaughlin of Chicago Soft. In her lovely presentation, Jane emphasized that she and her husband Peter appreciated the wealth of inclusive art programming that AVA offers. She went on to say that they were particularly impressed with “AVA’s ability and desire to reach outside of their own interests and bring value and art to unrelated organizations, populations and programs.”
While Peter was unable to be present at the festivities, Jane said that his many years of service to the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts had made him appreciate, with great pride, that AVA holds a special position among arts organizations in the state. She concluded her speech by saying that Peter believed it was AVA’s “willingness to take programmatic risks while demonstrating fiscal prudence that has allowed them to not only sustain, but to thrive during tumultuous times.”
We wish to express our gratitude to Peter and Jane for their generous support and gracious sentiments; to former AVA Chair Linda Roesch, who spoke compellingly about AVA; and to Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce for so masterfully organizing the award ceremony and producing the impressive program for the event. (This publication showcases AVA in a stunning double-page color spread.) Finally, we wish to congratulate our fellow winners: Advance Transit; Julia Griffin, Hanover’s Town Manager; and Lou’s Restaurant.
The cross influencing of one art form to another brings an added dimension by taking an idea further into a totally different experience–like a sequel to a story. By relating movement and dance to these specific art works, a train of thought is created. The collecting of these particular works, starts with an idea of rebalance in our lives, showing possibilities, our need to deal with states of mind as we journey through loss, ending with our need to become present to our surroundings.
Artists have always been the witnesses of our times. FLOCK is a conscious carrier of such intentions as their work embraces issues of social concern. Langstaff believes that movement and gesture are strong purveyors of heart moving information and therefore a helpful way to instigate change.
For more information contact Carol Langstaff at (802)765-4454 or visit: www.flockdance.org.
C. Stuart White, Jr., who headed Banwell Architects’ superb design team for AVA’s building renovation, has received yet another prestigious award. Last November, Stu was honored with the Sustainable Designer of the Year Award by the New Hampshire Chapter of The United States Green Building Council. In addition to being cited for his recent achievements (including AVA’s LEED Gold-certified building), Stu was also celebrated for his “lifelong commitment to innovation in the sustainable design industry.”
In celebration of their 50th anniversary, The Hopkins Center at Dartmouth College is launching Hands on Pianos, a public art project that will install fancifully decorated pianos in public spaces throughout the Upper Valley in July 2012!
The Hands on Pianos public art project is free to enter.
Get involved with this public art project — it promises to be a great one!
AVA Gallery and Art Center is delighted to be one of the co-sponsors of Hands on Pianos!
