Curator Tours

Curator Tours

by | Jun 7, 2024

The Matter of Memory Curator Tour. Every first Friday at noon and 5:30 pm. Free.

A behind-the-scenes look at our current exhibitions

“The Matter of Memory” explores the ways that museums are the vessels of communal and individual memory along with how they consciously or unconsciously shape memory through what types of items are displayed and shared. Walk through the gallery with our museum curator and get a deeper understanding into some of the choices made in museum collections and exhibitions in both the past and present.

“Finishing Touches” highlights items from the collection that would add personality and individuality to the wearer’s outfit as well as demonstrate gender and class. Functional and fashionable, these pieces highlight accessories through the decades. Spend 30 minutes with our exhibition curator and make sure to ask about her “favorite” pieces.

“The Matter of Memory” Tours occur at 12:00 and 5:30 pm at 10 Middle Street.
“Finishing Touches” Tours take place at 2:00 pm and start at the John Paul Jones House.
This is a free tour, no registration required.

Learn more about "The Matter of Memory"
Learn more about "Finishing Touches"
Memories In Blue: Cyanotype Prints

Memories In Blue: Cyanotype Prints

by | Jun 4, 2024

Big Trees of Portsmouth Tour and Presentation with Kevin Martin Saturday, June 22

Get creative with this cyanotype workshop!

Through the generous support of our donors, we are able to offer two tickets for this workshop at reduced cost. If cost would be a barrier to your participation, please reach out to Sarah Robbitts-Terry sarah@portsmouthhistory.org for more information.
Presenter Kevin Martin

About the Artist:

 
Kristy Cavaretta is an artist and mother of three living on the Southern Maine seacoast. She enjoys exploring the minutiae of domestic life through a variety of media.

Cavaretta earned her undergraduate degree in Visual and Media Arts from Boston’s Emerson College and a Graphic Design Certificate from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. In 2012 she moved to the seacoast with her husband after a decade of working in the film industry in Los Angeles. She worked as a graphic designer until she had her first child in 2016 and continued to work as a freelance designer for numerous nonprofit organizations, including the Ogunquit Museum of American Art (2015-2019) and Old York Historical Society (2015-current.) Cavaretta began printmaking in 2014 at Chases Garage in York, Maine in various workshop settings. Since having her children she has leaned into block printing, direct object printing, and collagraph printing for their accessibility and speed. Either the ability to make a piece in a single nap time sitting or chipping away at a larger work little by little over a long period of time.
In 2021 Maine Magazine named Cavaretta one of the years’ artists to watch, in 2023 she held her first solo exhibition at the Rochester Museum of Fine Arts.

Cavaretta teaches printmaking at Chases Garage in York, Maine and is proud to sit on the board of art and wellness non-profit ArtHope ( 2015-present.) In 2024 Cavaretta was honored to become a juried member of the New Hampshire Art Association and the New England Monotype Guild.

Read It and Eat + “DISH” Summer Dinner Party

Read It and Eat + “DISH” Summer Dinner Party

by | May 17, 2024

Read It and Eat! + “DISH” Summer Dinner Party Wednesday, July 24 6–7:30 pm potluck at Portsmouth Historical 8–9 pm dessert and cash bar at 3S Artspace $15 single location/ $30 both location

If you cannot attend our events this year (May 20th, July 24th, September 23rd), you can still submit a recipe for our community cookbook! Email our Programs Coordinator, Sarah Robbitts-Terry at sarah@portsmouthhistory.org to submit your recipe.

FAQs

What is currently in-season?
Blueberries, peaches, raspberries, beans, peas, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, corn, eggplant, lettuce and salad greens, onion, peppers, potatoes, scallions, spinach, summer squash, Swiss chard, tomatoes, turnips, rutabagas
How many people should my dish serve?
We usually have 15-20 people at each Read It and Eat event, however each of those individuals will all be making a dish! If your recipe serves 4-6, that should be more than enough. People tend to take small portions so they can try everything.
Will alcohol be served? Can I use it in a recipe?
Per the conditions of the Historical Society’s liquor license with the city, we do not serve alcohol at these events, and guests cannot bring alcohol to drink. However, dishes with cooked alcohol are perfectly fine to bring.
3S Artspace has a bar and will be serving drinks.
How are food allergies handled?
We do ask people to provide us with a list of ingredients in their dishes, but this is a potluck-style dinner with dishes all laid out together on a long table and served family-style. Dishes are prepared at individuals’ homes and cross-contamination cannot be ruled out.
Are non-alcoholic drinks provided?
Yes! In addition to water and seltzer, we provide fun mocktails for everyone to enjoy!
Can I plug in my crock pot?
Unfortunately, we do not have enough outlets to accommodate crock pots or other electrical equipment. Dishes must come ready to be served.
Laura Tanner standing in front of large scale art work.
Learn more about "Dish"

About “Dish” at 3S Artspace

Who prepares the food and who sits at the table? Through drawing and community engagement, Laura Tanner explores how local foodways define a community’s identity and reflect contemporary challenges that the community is facing, like food insecurity and climate change. Gathering oral histories from farmers, chefs, restaurant patrons, and home cooks, her drawings present a visual archive of rituals, recipes, and traditions. Alongside works focused on Miami and New Orleans, the artist will premiere works inspired by the Portsmouth area in the exhibit at 3S Artspace. Her site-specific works examine foodways of the Seacoast, deepening the understanding of our community, its economy, social structures, political leanings, and needs.

“The Matter of Memory” Exhibition Explores Recollection and Commemoration

“The Matter of Memory” Exhibition Explores Recollection and Commemoration

by | May 6, 2024 | News

“The Strenght of the Nation Lies with the Women – We Remember” by Rhonda Besaw took first place in the juried portion of “The Matter of Memory” exhibition.

The Portsmouth Historical Society, in collaboration with the New Hampshire Arts Association, is proud to present “The Matter of Memory,” a thought-provoking exhibition that delves into the intricacies of recollection and commemoration. Located at the Portsmouth Historical Society, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, this joint venture brings together contemporary artworks that offer unique responses to the concept of memory.

Since its opening on April 1, “The Matter of Memory” has captivated audiences with its diverse range of artistic expressions. Running until November 3, this exhibition invites visitors to explore the complexities of memory through the lens of contemporary art.

One of the highlights of the exhibition was the recent awards ceremony held on Friday, May 3, where outstanding artworks were recognized for their exceptional contributions. Sponsored by the Puddledock Restaurant, the awards celebrated the talent and creativity of participating artists.

The winners of the awards are as follows:

First Place: “The Strength of the Nation Lies with the Women – we remember” by Rhonda Besaw
Rhonda Besaw’s artwork combines traditional materials and techniques with a modern message, shedding light on the overlooked narratives of Native Americans in New England while emphasizing their enduring presence in contemporary society.
Second Place: “Wedding Day, 1924” by Diane St. Jean
Diane St. Jean’s linocut artwork pays homage to the immigrant experience, capturing the essence of treasured family photographs and the stories they hold within a single page. With intricate symbolism and patterns, St. Jean invites viewers to delve into the rich history of her grandmother’s wedding day.
Third Place: “Truthful Reminiscence” by Maya Michaud
Maya Michaud’s compelling portrait intertwines fragments of newsprint and written word, symbolizing the significance of documents in shaping memories, whether truthful or not. Through meticulous composition, Michaud invites reflection on the nature of remembrance.

In addition to the award-winning artworks, visitors have the opportunity to vote for a People’s Choice favorite, which will be revealed in the final month of the exhibition. The contemporary artworks showcased in the upstairs gallery are available for purchase, including the prize-winning pieces.

“The Matter of Memory” exhibition was made possible through a grant from the Rosamond Thaxter Foundation and the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, underscoring its significance in the local arts community.

Admission pricing for single site admission (either Portsmouth Historical Society or John Paul Jones House) is as follows:

  • $10 General
  • $5 Discount (for seniors, students, and military personnel)
  • $15 Family (two adults, two minors)
  • Free for members

We invite members of the public and the local art community to visit “The Matter of Memory” exhibition and engage with the evocative artworks on display. Together, let us explore the intricate interplay of recollection and commemoration in contemporary art.