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STATE AND SEACOAST REGIONAL ART EXHIBTION in PORTSMOUTHDates: May

The Gallery at 100 Market Street’s spring exhibition may be its most diverse to date. Considering its reputation for diversity, photo realism to abstract – that’s saying some. The "Spring Juried and Invitational" exhibition opens with a reception on Friday, May 11, 5 to 7 p.m., and runs through July 30.

"There are broad strokes, and finely detailed works, subdued moody pieces and riotous colors that jump out from the canvas. This is one heck of a collection," says Michael Simchik, 100 Market’s owner, and gallery patron.

"This show also has a lot of large canvases. In a city with space at a premium it can be difficult for an artist to exhibit their work when working large. So, for some very worthy works, this may be the only opportunity to see them in the downtown."

The diverse works include an abstract black and white drawing on paper by Cappy Whalen, that’s 91" by 48" and an landscape, oil on canvas by Jan Waldron, that only measures 8" by 10." Roger Goldenberg’s brightly colored painterly abstracts will share walls with photos by recent Spotlight Award Winner Jane Sydney.

The exhibited works are both juried and invitational. Artists include Jan Waldron (Rye), Aline Lotter (Manchester), Tess Feltes (Portsmouth), Roger Goldenberg (Portsmouth), Cappy Whalen (Portsmouth), Teri Martin (Madbury), Martine L’Etoile (Nottingham), Mary Vermeersch (North Hampton), Fleur Palau (Wolfboro), Barbara Stevens Adams (Portsmouth), Margaret Leland (Rye), Wen Redmond (Strafford), Ann Lynch (Durham) and Jane Sydney (Portsmouth).

Maine artists are Kathleen Daughan, Portland and Judith Andrews, Kittery. Artists from Massachusetts, Karen J. Jones, Newburyport and Carol Boileau, Andover.

"I think this is a strong show," says Jean Hurlbut, the representative from McLane Law Firm, which awards a cash prize for Best in Show and Honorable Mention.

"This always makes our final award selection a real challenge selecting between such a broad collection, photo realism, impressionism, painterly works and photographs – all of high quality."

From the beginning Simchik planned a diverse gallery that would offer opportunity to work that might otherwise not find a willing wall in the city. The gallery does exhibit the more traditional, such as the strong still lifes, by Judith Andrews in the current show. And it definitely has its share of landscapes, like the snow-touched field by painter Aline Lotter. But it also has works that are decidedly less commercial and have difficulty finding a home in a fair number of area commercial and alternative galleries.

"There are pieces here that will sooth and calm, that will be a window to quiet contemplation," says Simchik. "But, you will defiantly be challenged by others, whether it’s because the piece doesn’t offer an easy in, or because the concept causes visceral reaction. This show certainly has it all."

WHAT "Spring Juried and Invitational Exhibition" at the Gallery at 100 Market Street

WHERE100 Market St., Portsmouth, NH.

WHEN Opening reception May 11, 5 to 7 p.m.; show runs through July 30; Regular Hours; all four floors 9 till 6 p.m Monday thru Friday; Floor 1 and 2, Sunday through Saturday, 9 till 10 p.m.