Color is often used to evoke meaning and emotion in art. The absence of color has the same effect, communicating a different mood and beauty. The League of NH Craftsmen challenged its juried members to create fine craft in black, white and shades in between, with a pop of color if desired. The result is the League’s latest multi-media exhibition titled Black and White Encore, which explores the diversity and range of work created by League juried members in this specific palette. Visitors will see a wide variety of handcrafted art, including wood folk art; fiber wall hangings, placemats, African ceremonial pieces; scenic photography; wearable art including hats, shawls, scarves, and jewelry; glass and clay vases and sculptures; mixed media art and more. Most items are available for purchase. The exhibition is open to the public from January 12th to March 28th at the Exhibition Gallery at League Headquarters, 49 South Main Street in Concord, NH. (A list of participants appears at the end of this release).
The public can meet and speak with the artists and craftsmen during the exhibition’s opening reception on Friday, January 12th from 5 pm to 7 pm. The Exhibition Gallery is open Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm during the exhibition.

“The minimalist use of black and white provides sharp contrast, enhancing the use of form, line and texture,” said League Standards Manager Catherine Green. “Each craftsman has a unique interpretation of the theme and the overall effect is stunning – it is a must-see exhibit.”

Special Art & Bloom Show
The League is partnering with the Concord (NH) Garden Club for the 16th annual Art & Bloom show on January 19th and 20th featuring floral arrangements inspired by pieces in the Black and White Encore exhibition and the Grodin Permanent Collection Museum. Members of the Concord Garden Club and local floral designers will create up to 24 arrangements that will be paired with pieces in the exhibition and Museum. The opening reception for this special show is Thursday, January 18th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

About the League of NH Craftsmen
The League of NH Craftsmen is a non-profit, craft education organization. Its mission is to encourage, nurture and promote the creation, use and preservation of fine contemporary and traditional craft through the inspiration and education of artists and the broader community. The League represents the signature of excellence in fine craft, through the work of its juried members, and its rigorous standards for self-expression, vision, and quality craftsmanship. The League of NH Craftsmen is supported in part by a grant from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. The Exhibition Gallery has been made possible through the generosity of Concord Orthopaedics.

For information about the Exhibition Gallery exhibitions or the League of NH Craftsmen, call 603-224-3375, email nhleague@nullnhcrafts.org, or visit www.nhcrafts.org.

Participants in Black and White Encore Exhibition

Alton Bay, NH: Louis Pulzetti

Ashuelot, NH:  Nancy O’Connor

Atkinson, NH:  Paul Wainwright

Barnstead, NH: Teresa Taylor

Bedford, NH:   Joy Raskin

Boscawen, NH: Adele Sanborn

Bradford, NH:  J. Ann Eldridge

Canterbury, NH: Jane Balshaw

Center Sandwich, NH: Susan Lirakis, Adam Nudd-Homeyer

Chichester, NH: Andy Hampton

Concord, NH:   Robert Dorr, R.P. Hale, Lauren vonDuyke-Dadmun

Deerfield, NH: Debra Bury

Dover, NH: Betty Lathrop, Carol VanLoon

Dublin, NH: Miriam Carter

Exeter, NH: Peg Irish

Henniker, NH: Douglas Masury

Hopkinton, NH: Annie Frye

Londonderry, NH: Kate Kilgus

Marlow, NH: Art Anderson

Merrimack, NH: Ruth Boland

Mont Vernon, NH: Cheryl Miller

Nashua, NH: Anne Sherman

New Durham, NH:  Sarah Burns

New Ipswich, NH: Loring Cheney

Newfields, NH: Duane Floyd Martin

Newton, NH: Wendy Jackson

North Hampton, NH: Diane Louise Paul

Rumney, NH: Marcosa Santiago

South Sutton, NH: Carolyn Wright

Strafford, NH:  Wen Redmond

Washington, NH: Camille B. Gibson

Wilton, NH: Sussy-Rose Shields

Windham, NH: Carol Babineau

Wonalancet, NH: Andrew Thompson

Andover, MA:  Sandra Dukeshire

Newbury, MA: Lloyd Hamovit

Tyngsboro, MA: Ritvaliisa Ojanen

Kittery, ME: Lawrence Elbroch

York, ME:  Lars Turin

Bellows Falls, VT: Christopher Sherwin

Putney, VT: Linda Sturgeon

South Ryegate, VT: John Layton

Berkeley Springs, WV: Jane Frenke