Rock, Paper, Scissors

Collagraphs, serigraphs, photographs. Encaustics, jewelry, woodwork. The local artists of Exeter Fine Crafts (EFC) do it all. In celebration of EFC’s 50th year, the Lamont Gallery opened its current exhibit, “Rock, Paper, Scissors: 50 Years of Fine Crafts,” last Friday night. Dozens of community members attended the reception, as well as some of the 60-plus local artists who contributed to the exhibit.

According to Lamont Gallery Director and Curator Lauren O’Neal, opening night was a success. “The reception was fantastic,” she said. “Everyone has been thrilled with the outcome.”

Featuring an extraordinary diversity of work, ranging from weaving to glassblowing to woodturning, the exhibit was alive with color and the unique authenticity of local artists. The show boasted novel pieces of artwork such as the Boston sky line created from meticulously stitched seed beads, a handcrafted urn and delicate handmade scarves.

According to upper Diana Davidson, the broad display of different types of art made the show particularly appealing. “I liked the variety of pieces in the gallery,” she said.

O’Neal was also intrigued by the creative techniques used to make the art. “The range of techniques, from weaving to woodturning, is significant,” she said. “This is probably the only exhibition where we’ve had a portrait of the Academy Building made from hundreds of tiny beads and work made from pressed flowers grown by an artist in her garden.”

“The exhibition highlights the fact that local artisans are and have been creating world class work for many years.”

She said that not only the variety of pieces, but also of the contributing artists, set the exhibit apart. “The collaborative nature of this show is also a wonderful example of a creative partnership between PEA and another organization,” she said.

EFC was founded as a non profit organization in 1966. It opened in downtown Exeter as an extension of the Exeter Home Industries Group and as a gallery for the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen. “EFC actually began as a way to help small cottage industry arts businesses to get started,” EFC manager Janice Earley said. “It has always been a community effort and focuses people’s attention on locally made products.”

Over the course of the past 50 years, EFC has continued to preserve, as well as promote, handcrafted arts, celebrating the cherished craftsmen and craftswomen of the day. EFC raises public awareness about the value of craft in the past, present and future, through its educational programming and its gallery.

“We are extremely proud to be able to showcase some of the best work in the country,” Earley said. “And also offer classes in traditional and modern techniques.”

O’Neal explained that she had long been considering hosting a show featuring contemporary craft. Around the same time as she was thinking about this, EFC was busy brainstorming how to celebrate its 50th anniversary. This was a happy coincidence, and EFC and the Lamont Gallery decided to partner together. “It was perfect timing for us to join forces,” O’Neal said.

Earley explained that EFC’s role in the exhibit was mostly logistical and organizational. EFC reached out to their membership of well over 200 artists, soliciting submissions. Over 25 percent of members contributed to the show, eager to celebrate EFC’s 50th anniversary. EFC also helped with storing and transporting artwork properly over the summer.

For Earley, the work involved in organizing the show was well worth the final product. “Accommodating this many exhibitors and their varying work and exhibit schedules can be a large undertaking,” she said. “Getting a quarter of our membership in one place at one time was worth the effort.”

O’Neal echoed this sentiment. “We are especially pleased that the exhibiting artists have enjoyed the show so much,” she added.

New Hampshire is renowned for its tradition of supporting and promoting fine craft, which has encouraged social, civic and even economic growth statewide.

According to Earley, art and the tradition of craftsmanship are integral parts of a community’s identity, particularly in smaller towns. “We view art as an essential part of a community’s structure,” she said. “Often it is what draws people to an area and enhances the lives of the community in many ways.”

In addition to this, Earley pointed out the economic benefits of an active arts scene in a town or area. “Business development planners throughout the country have started to realize that a healthy arts scene in their communities can be a catalyst to draw people and other businesses to an area,” she said. “It is not just a ‘nicety,’ but [it] plays a vital role in a thriving economy.”

O’Neal expressed gratitude at the chance to showcase the work of local artists and celebrate New Hampshire’s traditions. “New Hampshire has long been recognized as a leader in craft, and we have an exceptional community of artists and craftspeople right in our midst,” she said.

She commended the EFC for their long-lived success. “The exhibition is also testament to the longevity of Exeter Fine Crafts, an organization that has survived and thrived for 50 years,” she said. “This is an incredible accomplishment for a business of any kind, but it is particularly noteworthy for an arts organization.”

In turn, Earley applauded O’Neal and her co-workers for their execution of the exhibit, which is emblematic of the vast skill that Exeter artists bring to the community. “The staff at the Lamont gallery did a fabulous job of displaying a very eclectic mix of work,” she said. “The exhibition highlights the fact that local artisans are and have been creating world class work for many years.”