Arts Spotlight: Jeff Kolter
Jeff Kolter is an artist, musician, and film maker who has been living and creating art in the Monadnock Region for the last 12 years. He graduated from Keene State in 2008 with a degree in film production, also studying fine art briefly at Savannah College of Art and Design. Since then, Jeff has occasionally put on subversive, surrealist performances which he calls, ‘anti-comedy “experiments”.’ He also writes esoteric poetry, performs in several bands and draws psychedelic detailed ink illustrations. Read more about his vision in his own words:
Arts Spotlight: Molly Fletcher
Spotlighting artist Molly Fletcher:
My personal work explores what it means to be a New England Native. Through buffalo plaid patterns, a suggestion of flannel, and expressive portraiture my work challenges the notion of quaintness that New England is often associated with and emphasizes the often dark sense of humor that this area is known for. Creating traditional and non-traditional venues for art to be viewed has been a passion of mine over the last 15 years. I am impressed with the changes that have been happening in Keene over the past few years. The city’s commitment to the arts is whole-hearted and I feel lucky to be able to create in a community that is so supportive of the arts.
Arts Spotlight: Thorne Sagendorph Art Gallery
This month we’re spotlighting the Thorne Sagendorph Art Gallery on the campus of Keene State College in downtown Keene New Hampshire. The gallery is always free admission - a great place to spend an hour on a cold winter afternoon. We spoke to Thorne director Brian Wallace to learn more about the gallery:
Currently on exhibit at the Thorne is a show of Mark Hogancamp’s work. Hogancamp is the subject of a nationally released feature film, Welcome to Marwen, in theaters now! The exhibit, Mark Hogancamp: Women of Marwencol and Other Possible Histories, features photographs and photo-series by an upstate New York artist who, as a mode of recovery from a violent assault and as an art practice, customizes and arranges 1/6 scale figures in miniature settings of his own design to tell an ongoing, looping, personal, epic story of conflict, loyalty, love, loss, and stockings.
Artist Spotlight: Rich and Sandra Wallace
This month we interview Rich & Sandra Neil Wallace of Keene! Who are they? Sandra had a long career in television as an ESPN sportscaster and host of a travel show on public TV. Rich was a senior editor at Highlights for Children magazine. Now they are authors bringing light to inspiring stories!
“We’ve both published several novels, but we consider ourselves investigative journalists,” says Rich. “When we became empty nesters, we moved to Keene, and we love it here.”
Artist Spotlight: Mary Goldthwaite Gagne
We recently spoke with artist, educator, and arts community organizer Mary Goldthwaite Gagne about her work, her connections to the region, and her passion for community. Here is more about her in her own words.
About Mary: I have been making cut paper illustrations since 2012. I have been interested in portraiture since I was a high school student. I am enamored with likeness and family resemblance. In addition to being a visual artist, I teach art and I am the Visual & Performing Arts department chair at ConVal High School in Peterborough, NH. I also am on the leadership team of The Thing in the Spring and Broke: The Affordable Arts Fair.
Artist Spotlight: Monadnock Art Studio Tour
“The landscape here seems to nourish creative energy. At the end of the 19th century artists were drawn to the area by its bracing scenery and the inspiration of Mount Monadnock. They cultivated a unique community centered on the arts, and today we strive to follow their example.” Joe Caracappa, Chair of the Monadnock Art Studio Tour board.
