Beautiful Scheier Pottery Featured at Discover Portsmouth
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Ed and Mary Scheier were  wildly creative New Hampshire artists whose pottery will be featured in a new exhibit. Presented by the Portsmouth Historical Society, the show opens April 30and runs until October 22015 at Discover Portsmouth.  (Click title to read more) 

Enjoy works of pottery, paintings & textiles by two internationally-known NH artists. Learn the story of how NH was one of the first states to recognize the economic development potential of arts and crafts in the post-Depression era.

The exhibit is in collaboration with the University of New Hampshire and in partnership with the League of NH Craftsmen.  Maryellen Burke, executive director of The Portsmouth Historical Society notes, “As always, we work in collaboration to bring an important cultural story to the seacoast.  This year we’re pleased to strengthen our ties to both UNH and The League.  We couldn’t do it without them.”

The exhibition includes 75 to 100 examples of the Scheiers’ art from a dozen institutions and private collections. Central to this are the UNH collections and the Currier Museum of Art, which inherited the Scheier estate. The exhibit focuses on their work from 1940 to the late 1960s, when Mary and Ed lived and worked in NH. It also covers their later work from Mexico and Arizona.

“We’ve gathered examples of their full careers as artists. The life and art of these two remarkable people is a great New Hampshire story, and we hope it delights and inspires,” says guest curator Dale Valena.

The scheiers in their pottery  studio

A series of special events are planned throughout the five-month exhibit.  Including the opening gala on April 30.  Curator Dale Valena and society president Richard Candee will host a series of gallery talks.  Michael Komanecky, Chief Curator of the Farnsworth Museum (author ofAmerican Potters: Mary and Edwin Scheier) will offer a lecture on the extraordinary couple.  Award winning producer and editor, Ken Browne, will present his two Scheier-related documentaries – "Four Hands, One Heart" and "A League of Their Own"(the story of the League of NH Craftsmen).  A collectors' panel and reception will be held during New Hampshire Antique Week.  And stay tuned for "pop-up" special events throughout the spring and summer months.

Sponsors

Eastern Bank, Jumpin’Jays Fish Café, Brown & Company Design, Dos Amigos Burritos, The Banks Gallery

The Portsmouth Historical Society is a nonprofit organization that operates a museum and visitor center in downtown Portsmouth, publishes books, manages the Black Heritage Trail and advocates for historic preservation. We tell Portsmouth stories and our mission is to provide a central city location where, in cooperation with other groups, we can introduce, interpret, and stimulate the study of Portsmouth history. The Society is the only institution focusing on the history of the entire community. 

Open seasonally, seven days a week, 10am to 5pm. 

Follow us on Facebook at Discover Portsmouth Center; For more information go to: www.portsmouthhistory.org

Address:  Discover Portsmouth, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801