The community is invited to the Lake Sunapee Region Center for the Arts’ First Fridays program on August 2 from 5 to 7 PM. Gallery openings and the artists’ receptions are taking place at several New London locations. All Center for the Arts events are free and open to the public. Join us for great art, light refreshments, and a chance to meet the artists at the three CFA Micro Galleries. All are located on Main Street in New London. Many First Friday attendees enhance their evening with a walking tour to each gallery! Each Center for the Arts Micro Gallery features the art of regional artists, working in a variety of media.

The Micro Gallery at the New London Inn will host Jean Cronin Connolly and Margaret Miller.

Originally from Needham, Massachusetts, Jean Cronin Connolly moved to New London four years ago. An oil painter and fine art photographer, she finds her inspiration not only from exploring new places, but also from observing the way light falls on simple objects around her, how it reflects, penetrates, and illuminates. Her oils of still life and landscapes will be on exhibit.

Margaret Miller was exposed to fine art as a child and took lessons and painted throughout her teens. She graduated from the University of Arts in Philadelphia with a focus on graphic arts. Abstract art and Impressionism are the core to her work in oils, as she seeks beauty, the play of light, and atmosphere in her work.

The Micro Gallery at Country Houses will host Robert O’Brian.

Robert O’Brian is a full time award winning artist and instructor, who has been painting in watercolor for forty years. He focuses on landscape and architectural studies. Robert lives in rural Vermont where he finds beauty in the ordinary, with subtle reminders of everyday life in rural New England. He regularly teaches workshops throughout the United States and abroad.

The Micro Gallery at Zero Celsius Wealth Studio will host Evan Clayton Horback and Cherie DeAugustinis.

Evan Clayton Horback grew up on the Jersey shore, attended college for two years, leaving to experience ashram life for five years. The experience profoundly influenced his artistic perception. “My paintings are a balance of constructed images along with deconstructed methods. I apply additive and subtractive processes in order to convey a sense of depth. This layering is an indication of time, cultural transitions, and parallels the impact of nature on human culture.”

Cherie DeAugustinis is a self-taught artist who worked as a graphic artist and illustrator for many years. Most of her artwork originates “within my head, not in front of my eyes.” Cherie moved to Sunapee five years ago which afforded her time to concentrate on a variety of media, including ceramics, jewelry, wood, and textiles.

All First Fridays are free and open to the public. On the First Friday of each month, the Lake Sunapee Region Center for the Arts hosts a series of free arts programs for the community, including Gallery Openings and Receptions, Classical & Folk Music Nights, Literary & Poetry Nights, as well as Theater Night. Working with their business partners in the community, CFA continues to showcase local and regional talent in the Lake Sunapee area for the benefit of the artists, performers, residents and, visitors to our beautiful region.

The Center for the Arts is a volunteer organization which welcomes your participation. If you enjoy our cost free programs and would like to become a member or make a donation, please find our membership applications and donation jar near the site entrance. If you would like to volunteer, perform, or sponsor a program, please contact us at 603-526-4444. For more information please visit CenterForTheArtsNH.org.

The CFA Micro Galleries are located at New London Inn, 140 Main Street, New London; Country Houses Real Estate, 370 Main Street, New London; Zero Celsius Wealth, 228 Main Street, New London.