The Great Bay Stewards are pleased to announce the upcoming Art of Great Bay fine art exhibit and sale, now in its 19th year. This event celebrates works inspired by the theme “New England from the Mountains to the Sea: The People and Places You’ll Find Along the Way.” More than 50 local and well-known artist and makers of fine crafts will be represented at the event, which is a major fundraiser for the Great Bay Stewards, the friends group to the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Held in the Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center on the grounds of the Great Bay Discovery Center in Greenland, N.H., the event in this unique barn-like venue begins with an opening reception with the artists and Stewards supporters on April 4 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The show will then continue on Saturday, April 5, and Sunday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Every year we are thrilled to receive works celebrating the natural beauty, flora and fauna, iconic buildings, agricultural heritage, and people of this special part of the country,” says Allison Knab, executive director of the Great Bay Stewards. “This is such a unique celebration of the region and a really cherished event for our supporters, volunteers, participants, and all those who attend. We were so impressed by the quality of the work submitted for this year’s jury selection, including many artists new to the show.”
In addition to painting and photography, visitors will be able to view and purchase jewelry, sculpture, fabric art, and more. Many of the participating artists have also generously donated original works to be raffled off, from small paintings to jewelry to original weavings, with raffle tickets just $1 each.
Coffee and cookies is planned for 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, while on Sunday at 11 a.m., visitors will enjoy a casual brunch while they view the show. The entire weekend is free and open to the public, although we encourage visitors to bring an item to donate to a local food bank. Thirty percent of the sales support the Steward’s mission of education, research, and stewardship of the Great Bay Estuary, and while at the exhibit, visitors can also walk the grounds of the Great Bay Discovery Center and enjoy the boardwalk that leads out to beautiful views of Great Bay.
About the Great Bay Stewards
The Great Bay Stewards, a non-profit organization established in 1995, play an integral role in a variety of programs associated with the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Through fundraising events, private donations, and educational programs, the Stewards provide critical support to supplement state and federal funding received by the Reserve.
To fulfill its mission to protect Great Bay for future generations, the Stewards also work with area organizations to raise awareness of critical issues and promote estuarine conservation. Our Become a Great Bay Tide Turner initiative is an education program that encourages local residents to reduce stormwater pollution from their properties.
To learn more about supporting the Stewards and our work, please visit us at www.greatbaystewards.org.
About the Great Bay Discovery Center
In 1993, the Great Bay Discovery Center was opened on the shores of Great Bay and serves as the education headquarters of the Reserve. Located in Greenland, N.H., the Center is a popular destination for thousands of annual visitors.
Inside the Discovery Center there are interpretive exhibits about the Great Bay estuary and the amazing creatures that call it home. Children can get their hands wet in an estuarine discovery tank as they learn about lobsters, horseshoe crabs, and mud snails. There are also interactive displays about being a saltmarsh scientist, horseshoe crabs, tides, and research on the Bay. Outside there are interpretive trails, a boardwalk through the marsh, a children’s play area, and other facilities.
About the Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center
The Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center, site of Art of Great Bay, is a modern education facility next door to the Great Bay Discovery Center that provides valuable meeting space as well as exhibits on the upland habitats of the Great Bay watershed. Built in 2005 as an old New England post and beam style barn, the building features several sustainable design features, including composting toilets and a geothermal heating/cooling system. On the lower level, the Special Collections room features artifacts of Great Bay and Seacoast New Hampshire with a focus on hunting and fishing.
For more information about the Reserve and its programs, go to: www.greatbay.org.