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hen thinking about New Hampshire, you’re forgiven if farmland and mountains come to mind rather than provocative plays and gallery openings. Yes, our forests, lakes, oceans, mountains and other sites of natural beauty are some of the big perks to calling the Granite State home. But if you’re ready to trade your muddy hiking boots for dress shoes (or just regular sneakers), then you’re in luck — a vibrant arts scene awaits discovery. New Hampshire has a history of inspiring great artists, such as the mid-19th century painters of the White Mountain School and writer, naturalist and philosopher Henry David Thoreau. Today, New Hampshire continues to draw and showcase talent from New Hampshire and beyond. Though you’ll find artists and galleries all over the state, a great place to start is at McGowan Fine Art in Concord. This contemporary gallery has been a home to local and New England artists — in a variety of mediums — since 1980. For those on the Seacoast, Nahcotta in Portsmouth has become a mainstay since its opening in 2000. Returning to the White Mountains, 42 Maple Contemporary Art Center in Bethlehem is part gallery, part entertainment space and part studio housed in an 1877 church. For 50 years, the Thorne-Sagendorph Art Gallery at Keene State College has hosted work by local and international artists, and provided a gathering place for students, artists, educators and patrons. In Manchester, two newcomers to the city (which is already home to the renowned Currier Museum of Art) are already doing big things. Kelley Stelling Contemporary gallery is located on Elm Street and Jupiter Hall on Hanover Street is an intriguing multipurpose venue. Perhaps it’s something in the water (or granite) that makes New Hampshire a continuous source of artistic inspiration. In the western corner of the state is the charming town of Peterborough, itself inspiration for the Thornton Wilder play “Our Town” (which, by the way, you can occasionally catch at the historic Peterborough Players, founded in 1933). Here, tucked into the woods, is the renowned MacDowell Colony, a retreat for artists of all types. Founded in 1907, it is the oldest such retreat in the country. Over the years it has supported composers, authors, painters, filmmakers, poets and more from
Willa Cather to Michael Chabon. Each year in August on Medal Day, the public is welcome (with free admission) to explore the grounds. You can also attend the ceremony where the Edward MacDowell Medal is awarded to “an artist of enduring vision and creativity.” Five poets from New Hampshire served as US Poets Laureate, including iconic New England poet Robert Frost. The RobCurrier Museum of Art in Manchester
ert Frost farm in Derry still stands, and its grounds are open to the public. Take a tour, listen to a reading or simply walk along the trails through the landscape that inspired his writing. In fact, Frost attributed many of his poems to his years spent at this two-story white clapboard farmhouse. The Granite State’s poetic tradition continues with the help of the Poetry Society of New Hampshire, which hosts an annual poetry fest in September at Manchester’s New Hampshire Institute of Art. It’s also a great resource for other poetry events happening around the state. Continuing in the vein of the written word, New Hampshire also claims a number of famous authors: John Irving,
J.D. Salinger, Grace Metalious and Jodi Picoult are among them. Aspiring authors will want to hook up with the NH Writer’s Project, which organizes meet-ups, workshops, readings, book clubs, conferences, socials and much more. If you want to find a literary event or like-minded folks, then check out this excellent local organization. Lest you think it’s all painters and wordsmiths, New Hampshire is no stranger to the performing arts. The historic Peterborough Players were mentioned earlier, but there are two other places to soak up a unique mix of small-town New Hampshire charm, history and great performances. Along with the Players, the New London Barn Playhouse and the Barnstormers Theatre in Tamworth represent three of the oldest — and most respected — summer theaters in the country. All three opened back in the 1930s, and each is home to excellent companies and cherished traditions. If you want more history with your plays, musicals, concerts, film screenings or comedy shows, nearly each region of the state has a beautiful, fully restored historic venue. Among them are the two Colonial Theatres, one in Keene and one in Bethlehem, The Music Hall in Portsmouth, The Palace Theatre in Manchester and The Rochester Opera House in Rochester. Music of all genres is in no shortage, but New Hampshire happens to have an abundance of ways to enjoy classical music. With the New Hampshire Philharmonic, Symphony NH, the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra and the Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra, you’re able to enjoy a huge range of performances around the state. One of the summer festival season’s crown jewels is the New Hampshire Music Festival, which aims to make classical music accessible to all with a month of concerts. Fans of the blues should follow the Granite State Blues Society for the lowdown on concerts and festivals, and jazz lovers will want to catch a show at Pittman’s Freight Room in Laconia or the Purple Pit Coffee Lounge in Bristol. Finally, one of the state’s hidden gems mixes nature, history, art and music together at one gorgeous estate. The Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site in Cornish is the former home of one of America’s premier artists, sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Spend a summer day strolling the incredible grounds and galleries that are peppered with over 100 of his artworks. We could go on, but consider this an excellent starting point to understand our cultural roots and vibrant present. Destination NH | 2019 33