PHOTO CAPTION: Bid on over 100 works of art by nearly fifty regional artists. Photos courtesy of the artists and Ken Goldman.
Only days remain to bid on over 100 works by regional artists in the Portsmouth Historical Society’s “Jubilee” art auction that ends October 7 at 6pm. Half of the proceeds support Discover Portsmouth and the John Paul Jones House Museum while the other half goes directly to 50 contributing artists. The online exhibition offers a fantastic array of paintings, many featuring familiar scenes, plus handcrafted jewelry, sculpture, woodworking, and clothing.
“It’s a triple win,” says executive director Brian LeMay. “Buyers take home a treasured original new work of art while supporting its talented creator and the city’s 100-year-old historical society.”
This year’s fall auction lets bidders join in from home or office with a special online platform. BiddingForGood is a charitable e-commerce company designed to connect fundraisers, cause-conscious shoppers, and socially responsible businesses. Users are advised that a desktop or laptop computer is the best way to view the online gallery.
Art lovers can reach the auction until October 7 via the PHS website (PortsmouthHistory.org) and click through the entire gallery. Bidding instructions are included. Each item has an opening bid minimum, a description of the artwork, and added details about the artist. The auction software also features a “Buy Now” button for those who just can’t wait to own a favorite item.
“We’ve already had three exciting buy-out sales,” says development associate Joyce Tucker, who prepared the auction with Beth Jefferson and the 2020 Jubilee Committee. Tucker says the buy-out bidders purchased a beautiful pair of handcrafted silver and pearl earrings, an intricate piece of woven art entitled African Necklace, and a colorful woven cotton rug named Splash of Color. Tucker notes that buyers who wish to see specific works “up close and personal” may contact her at joyce@Portsmouthhistory.org or by phone at 603-570-2492 for a private viewing at the Discover Portsmouth Welcome Center.
William Taylor, Jewelry Box with Hummingbird, mahogany. Photo, Ken Goldman.
“Art, culture, and history define Portsmouth,” Brian LeMay says, “and this year both our artist community and our local nonprofits have been hit hard financially by the pandemic.” Since the opening of the Discover Portsmouth Welcome Center in 2010, PHS has featured fine art exhibitions by classic artists like Edmund C. Tarbell of Boston (who summered in New Castle) and Gertrude Fiske. Galleries in the historic 1810-era Academy Building have showcased scores of local artists, including special exhibitions by Jane Kaufman, Sumner Winebaum, John Stobart, Michael Stasiuk, Wendy Turner, Jay Goldsmith, and many more.
This year’s hugely popular exhibition “Threads 2020” highlights an amazing array of contemporary and historical hand-sewn quilts in three galleries on two floors of Discover Portsmouth. Two giant “Community Quilts” created from swatches made by society fans during the ongoing pandemic have recently gone on display.
Oleg Kompasov, Sky Mirrors, oil painting. Photo, Ken Goldman.
Despite hard times and social distancing, welcome center visitors have been blown away by “Threads,” according to dedicated Discover Center staff and volunteers. The 2020 exhibition—including George Washington’s bedspread and a stunning 1876 Centennial Quilt loaned by New Hampshire resident and documentary filmmaker Ken Burns—continues through November 9.
“It’s been a very tough year for corporate sponsorships, particularly from small, local businesses, which have traditionally been our bread-and-butter,” says exhibition manager Meredith Affleck. “That’s why our Jubilee auction, donations, new memberships, and museum shop sales are so important. Despite it all, we’re extremely proud of the work we’ve accomplished and the wonderful response from the community.”
Rose Umerlik, Orange Line, oil on graphite, 2019. Photo, Ken Goldman,
“The art of today becomes the exhibition inspiration for tomorrow,” says PHS development director Judy Loto. “Portsmouth simply would not be Portsmouth without its arts community. And this is a perfect chance to own a piece of it.”
“Threads: A Community Quilt for 2020” is open at 10 Middle Street from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Fridays through Mondays. Admission is free. Masks are required and available free. For walking tour tickets, guided tours of the John Paul Jones House Museum, Society memberships, and the latest events and virtual lectures please visit www.portsmouthhistory.org or call 603-436-8433.
Don’t forget our Fund-A-Need campaign to commission a work of art for the Discover Portsmouth Welcome Center! Just follow the auction link and click “Donate Now!”
Walking Tours End October 31
It’s the perfect weather for a historical walking tour!
Take our Portsmouth Downtown tour or book a specialized tour on a neighborhood of your choice with legendary local historian Richard M. Candee!
Private tours can be booked if you want to have a special tour for your quarantine group! Just call 603.436.8433 or email RobinLM@portsmouthhistory.org
Creative Reuse at the Museum Shop
New in stock!
Handpainted suncatchers made from CDs!
These beautiful suncatchers will brighten up any space in your home!
Arts, history, and culture define Portsmouth, and we realize that the artist community, so integral to the city’s unique character, has been hard hit by the pandemic. Portsmouth Historical Society has also seen financial challenges due to the stay-at-home order and social distancing requirements. To that end, we have decided to use our annual fundraiser, which provides a significant portion of the Society’s income, as an opportunity to “pay it forward” in support of artists. Our online auction will feature more than 100 original works of art by more than fifty artists, with 50% of the net proceeds from the sale of each item going to the artist.
Bid from Anywhere in the World
Bidding opens to the public on Thursday, September 10 at 9pm.
Bidding Closes on Wednesday, October 7.
If you are a Portsmouth local, and would like to see a work of art in person before bidding, please contact Joyce Tucker, joyce@portsmouthhistory.org to set up a viewing appointment.
Our 2020 John Paul Jones Jubilee and Auction Fund-A-Need will allow Portsmouth Historical Society to commission a piece of public art or sculpture from a regional artist to be displayed on permanent view at the Discover Portsmouth Welcome Center. In this way, we can support local artists, celebrate public art, and help enliven our facility, which is considered to be the gateway to the rejuvenated West End of downtown Portsmouth!
To support our 2020 Fund-A-Need, please click on the “Donate Now” button in the sidebar on our Bidding for Good page, or click below!
Annual Fundraiser will Support Local Artists & Portsmouth Historical Society
Our benefit auction through Bidding For Good, featuring more than 50 works of art by local artists, opens to bidding on the evening of September 10th and runs through October 7th. Your winning bid will be split equally between the Portsmouth Historical Society and each artist! Our exclusive, online Jubilee program will have a VIP preview of the auction, the unveiling of the “Threads” Community Quilt, music, and more! Plus, everyone who purchases a ticket gets a take-out goodie-bag with delicious treats from Wood Stove Kitchen, Port City Pretzels, and Naughty Good Bites! A huge thanks to our event sponsors Ashton & Company, P.A., Lynne Joyce/Tate & Foss Sotheby’s International Realty, Westerly Portsmouth,Southport Printing, and Seacoast Flash!
Coverlet (George Washington coverlet), detail. Probably Bolton, England, ca. 1780; cotton. Portsmouth Historical Society; Gift of Mrs. John F. Tyler (2005.033).
Zoom with us Thursday, August 27 at 7:30pm for a special lecture with Jennifer Swope, Assistant Curator of Textile and Fashion Arts at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. In her talk, “Coverlets & Counterpanes of New Hampshire: Bedcovers for a New Nation,” Swope will discuss some of the oldest objects on display in the “Threads” exhibition, and their brushes with colonial fame.
Arts, history, and culture define Portsmouth, and we realize that the artist community, so integral to the city’s unique character, has been hard hit by the pandemic. Portsmouth Historical Society has also seen financial challenges due to the stay-at-home order and social distancing requirements. To that end, we have decided to use our annual fundraiser, which provides a significant portion of the Society’s income, as an opportunity to “pay it forward” in support of artists. Our online auction will feature original works of art, with 50% of the net proceeds from the sale of each item going to the artist.
Additionally, our Fund-A-Need campaign will be dedicated to raising funds to commission artwork which will be displayed at the Discover Portsmouth Welcome Center, thereby supporting a local artist and beautifying a city landmark.
This month-long online auction kicks off with an exclusive online virtual gala event on
September 10, 2020 at 7:00 pm
So get comfy, sit back, tune in, and enjoy some treats by Woodstove Kitchen, Port City Pretzels, and Naughty Good Bites.
Tickets include:
VIP Preview of Works by Local Masters in our Online Art Auction through Bidding For Good!
The Unveiling of the “Threads” Community Quilt!
Our Favorite Refreshments in a Take-Out Gourmet Goody Bag!
Wine Raffle for a Case of Expensive Small Batch and Unusual Wines!
Historical Society’s Annual Fundraiser Goes Online; Event & Auction will “Pay it Forward” to Local Artists
PORTSMOUTH – The Portsmouth Historical Society’s 7th annual John Paul Jones Jubilee and Auction will take place virtually on Thursday, September 10 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
This year’s celebration is a benefit designed for two! Arts, history, and culture define Portsmouth. Both the Portsmouth Historical Society and the local artist community have been hit hard by the pandemic. This fundraiser, which provides a significant portion of the Society’s income, is a great opportunity for donors to “pay it forward” and support local artists as well.
The online auction will feature original works of art by local artists, with 50% of the net proceeds from each sale going to the artist. The Fund-A-Need campaign will raise funds to commission a work of art that will be displayed outside Portsmouth Historical Society, thereby supporting a local artist and beautifying a city landmark.
For the safety and wellbeing of all, the event will be hosted at a secret online location to be revealed only to those who purchase advance tickets. The party will include music, a VIP preview of works by local masters in the online art auction (on the Bidding For Good online platform), the unveiling of the “Threads” Community Quilt, and the announcement of the raffle winner of a mixed case of expensive, small batch, and unusual wines! Attendees will receive a take-out gourmet goodie-bag with some of our favorite refreshments from Wood Stove Kitchen, Port City Pretzels, and Naughty Good Bites to enjoy while watching the event.
Save the date and reserve your spot! Event tickets are $40 for members, $50 for non-members; wine raffle tickets are $20 each or three for $50. To purchase, visit www.portsmouthhistory.org or call (603) 436-8433.
PHOTO CAPTION: In previous years, Portsmouth Historical Society has hosted in-person and silent auctions for local goods and services. This year not only will the annual fundraiser be an exclusive online event, but the month-long online auction will split profits with local artists donating their works to the cause.
