Forty artists are taking part in a juried art exhibition this summer at the Historical Society of Cheshire County in Keene. The title is “Nature and Humanity in the Monadnock Region,” and the exhibition is free and open to the public June 3 through Aug. 26 in the society’s exhibit hall at 246 Main St. in Keene
The nature and humanity theme will highlight how people in southwestern New Hampshire have affected the environment and, in turn, how nature affects the people who are there.
“The Monadnock Region has often been referred to as the ‘Currier and Ives corner’ of New Hampshire because of its remarkably intact early New England historical record and built environment, which survives in harmony with nature, ” Historical Society Director Alan Rumrill stated, noting that people have had a varied relationship with the landscape in the region. “At times, residents of the region have lived in harmony with nature and at times they have exploited the area’s natural resources.”
The “Nature and Humanity” exhibition includes some of the region’s well-known artists: John Traynor and Jeanne Maguire Thieme from Swanzey, Richard Whitney and Sandy Sherman from Stoddard and Mary Iselin and Alicia Drakiotes from Marlborough. Drakiotes is working with the society as the guest curator of the exhibition, and many of her bring to mind the nature and humanity theme, such as a series of paintings of old trucks left to rust in the New England landscape.
“The Monadnock Region holds unending vistas which embrace the nature and humanity theme. From stonewalls built generations back, to stone arch bridges and train trestles, to currently revived water power fueling production in historic mill buildings, we are blessed with a thriving natural environment and the evidence of human interaction with it,” she stated. “I am excited to be working with contemporary artists in the region to bring this exhibition to the Historical Society of Cheshire County this summer for all to appreciate.
Several events are planned in conjunction with the exhibit. The opening reception is scheduled for June 3 from 4 to 6 p.m. Iselin will give a plein air demonstration on the Historical Society’s lawn on the morning of June 4, while Drakiotes provides guided tours and demonstrates in the exhibit hall.
A guided hike to Sip Pond with Monadnock Conservancy Executive Director Ryan Owens will take place July 22 at a time to be determined. On July 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., several of the artists will take part in a plein air day at Monadnock Berries in Troy. In August (date to be determined), Rumrill will give a talk on the built environment’s relationship with nature. Visitors of the show will be able to vote for a “people’s choice” winner.
Exhibit hours are Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday open late until 8 p.m and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon June 4 and 18, July 2 and 16 and Aug. 6 and 20. For information on the Historical Society of Cheshire County, go to hsccnh.org.