This weekend is full of fun opportunities to meet and support local artists, including opening receptions and open studios. If you can’t make it to the party, most of these new art shows will remain on view for at least the month of November. Here are some of the highlights.
EXETER
Lamont Gallery at Phillips Exeter Academy
11 Tan Lane
Choice Seeds-Fukushima by William Evertson
More than 140 members of the nonprofit Boston Printmakers use their work to confront current issues, including human rights and the environment, in “2016, A State of Mind.” A reception is set for Friday, Nov. 4, from 5 to 7 p.m., and there’s a gallery talk on “The Print’s Powerful Potential” on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 10 a.m. The work will be up through Dec. 10.
KITTERY, MAINE
Buoy Gallery
2 Government St.
Cityscape by Shaune McCarthy
“Paper Paint Iron Wood” is a union of four long-time tenants of the Salmon Falls Mill Art Studios in Rollinsford. They are painters Shiao-Ping Wang, Anne Dubois, and Shaune McCarthy, and sculptor Brian Coleman. The show opens with a reception on Friday, Nov. 4, from 6 to 10 p.m.
Wang’s work reflects an inner conversation, often utilizing patterns where there are no words. The sometimes dark and mysterious collages by Dubois are the result of experimenting with gestures and shapes until a moment of clarity. McCarthy’s vigorous use of line and rugged texture are reminiscent of her work in clay. And Coleman’s thought-provoking sculpture uses discarded rusty objects and more to bring irony and humor.
PORTSMOUTH
Discover Portsmouth
10 Middle St.
Jay Goldsmith courtesy photo
Photographer Jay Goldsmith invites us inside the working studios of more than 30 Seacoast artists with his images for “What Artists Look Like 2016,” a sequel to last year’s exhibition. A reception is planned for Friday, Nov. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m., in conjunction with the city’s monthly walking tour, Art ’Round Town. The art show runs through Dec. 23.
For each image, Goldsmith gets to know the artist and studio space in advance of the photo shoot. He hopes to come away with one intimate image that captures the artist inside his or her private, creative world. He pays homage to the artist’s style or career when setting up his shot, or otherwise makes each one unique and personal. Works by the featured artists are also on display.
Goldsmith uses a traditional platinum palladium printing process in a darkroom, in which the images are embedded within the fibers of the paper, resulting in rich black and white tones. They hang on the second floor of Discover Portsmouth, while the national juried exhibition of “It’s Pastel” continues on the main floor through Nov. 26.
Nahcotta
110 Congress St.
Look Don’t Touch by Michael Dandley
New work from local painter Michael Dandley and Illinois artist Liza Sylvestre is on view during the month of November. Nahcotta also participates in Art ’Round Town, with an opening reception on Friday, Nov. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Sylvestre’s pieces are like graceful versions of Rorschach tests, drawing from the beauty and mystery of natural elements. The bold work of Dandley transforms typical scenes into the fantastical. The two artists create a sense of otherworldliness with colorful but confusing images.
More information about Art ’Round Town and a list of participating galleries is available at artroundtown.org.
Portsmouth Public Library
175 Parrott Ave.
Nicole’s Window by Patrick Healey
This year, the library building turns 10 years old. And this month, 15 local artists are showing their own ways of seeing the space. They are Barbara Adams, Michelina Croteau, Renee Giffroy, Stephen Godlieb, Adeline Goldminc-Tronzo, Patrick Healey, Thomas Lavoie, Lennie Mullaney, Fleur Palau, Shawn Pelech, Susan Schwake, Diane Stradling, Dave Thompsen, Lisa Tutinas, and Jan Waldron. A reception for “Views of Portsmouth Public Library” takes place on Sunday, Nov. 6, from 2 to 4 p.m., and the show continues until Jan. 3.
ROCHESTER
The Franklin Gallery at RiverStones
33 North Main St.
Country Fair by Bob Goudreau
This month’s exhibit features Rochester artist Bob Goudreau’s scratchboard art, including all of his “Historic Rochester” pieces. The series captures some of the city’s most important landmarks, and this could be the only time that all six pieces are exhibited together. The reception is on Thursday, Nov. 3, from 5 to 7 p.m., and the show runs through Nov. 30.
YORK, MAINE
Chases Garage
16 Main St.
untitled woodblock print by Jake Cassevoy
All are welcome to Open Studios this Saturday, Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Chases Garage provides space for more than 20 artists looking to learn, converse, and create. There will be conversation and demonstrations in a variety of fields. Also, the fourth