Three very different exhibits, all with strong ties to Jaffrey, are on display at the Jaffrey Civic Center.
“Frank Lloyd Wright: The Collection of Charles Hamilton,” is on display in the first floor display case and library, while “By Land and Sea Sea,” an exhibit of paintings by longtime Monadnock region artist David Dodge, is on display in the auditorium. Both exhibits run through Sept. 20.
On Thursday, Sept. 5, Cynthia Hamilton Rouvalis, the daughter of Dr. Charles Hamilton, will give a gallery talk about the Wright collection from 4 to 6 p.m. in the main gallery.
In the Cunningham Gallery on the second floor of the Civic Center, “Born of Silence: Art by Women Who Meditate” is on display until Sept. 18. The exhibit was curated by Jaffrey artist Joan Hanley, author of “Art and Yoga.”
On Saturday, Sept. 6, at 5 p.m., poet Patrice Pinette will give a reading from her book: “Happiness: A Strange Bird,” as part of the exhibit.
A lifelong passion for Wright
Hamilton, a Jaffrey native, developed his passion for the work of Wright after seeing the groundbreaking architect interviewed on television by Hugh Downs in 1953. The interview can be viewed in the Civic Center library room.
Hamilton collected all manner of Wright memorabilia, from a Lego set of a Wright home to a bench from the Unitarian Church Wright designed in his hometown of Madison, Wis., as well an extensive collection of books, many of which are on sale as part of the exhibit.
“Dr. Charles Hamilton was born and raised in Jaffrey, and he collected everything to do with Frank Lloyd Wright,” said Jeanne Duval, a board member of the Civic Center. “Dr. Hamilton had invited me to come see his collection years before he died, but I never had a chance to go see it. When he passed, I reached out to his daughter and asked if they still had the collection or if they had given it away to libraries, and his daughter said they still had most of it.”
Duval offered to curate the show for the Hamilton family, who were “thrilled” that Charles Hamilton’s collection would be displayed in Jaffrey.
The exhibit includes rare photographs of Hamilton, who disliked having his picture taken, as well as correspondence between Hamilton and many owners of Wright- designed homes around the country. Hamilton also corresponded with some of Wright’s apprentices, including Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer, who became the archivist of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, and Wright’s widow, Olgivanna Lloyd Wright.
“Dr. Hamilton became well known in Frank Lloyd Wright circles. He sought out the owners of Wright’s homes and would become friends with them,” Duval said. “He also had strong opinions about things, and he had no problem expressing his opinions.”
The exhibit includes a 1909 portfolio of Wright’s designs published in Germany and signed by the architect.
“The Germans respected his work and were greatly influenced by his work way back in 1909. The fact that this is signed probably makes it the most important artifact in the exhibit,” Duvall said.
Dodge paintings of Monadnock region, Vermont and Maine
The Civic Center auditorium features paintings by David Dodge, who is originally from Peterborough but has recently moved to Maine.
“This exhibit includes scenes from the Monadnock region, as well as scenes around York, Maine, and from time he spent in Vermont,” Duval said.
According to Duval, Dodge was a part of Peterborough’s “Left Bank” group of painters, who used to exhibit at the Sharon Arts Center, and many of whom are now part of the Monadnock Open Studio Arts Tour organized by the Friends of the Dublin Arts Colony.
“David is a member of the Dublin Art Colony and was incredibly important to the beginning of the Art Tour,” Duval said.
One painting depicts the view from the home of the late Monadnock region writer Edie Clark.
“I have a great deal of respect for David’s work; we are very fortunate he agreed to exhibit with us,” Duval said.
This year’s Art Tour is Oct. 11, 12 and 13. For information go to https://monadnockart.org/monadnock-art-open-studio-tour/.
“Born of Silence” features artists who meditate
In the second floor Cunningham Gallery, the “Born of Silence” exhibit features paintings, drawings, ceramics, textiles and and multi media work by women who took part in a 2024-2025 mentorship with Hanley.
The show includes noted artists such as painter Shawn Dulaney and ceramicist Keri Straka.
“This show includes artists from all over the U.S. and from Canada, and what they all have in common is that they are all artists and they all meditate, ” said Laura Gilbert, director of the Jaffrey Civic Center.
Works include a textile collage by Colleen Davidson, abstract landscapes by Elizabeth Kelley and watercolors by Laura Clark.
