Sharon Arts Center To Hold Kick-Off Launch Party Sept. 14 for CSArt Project

The Sharon Arts Center will hold a celebratory Kick-Off launch party for their new CSArt (Community Supported Art) project on Wednesday, Sept. 14 from 6 to 8 pm at their Downtown Galleries, 30 Grove Street. The event is free and open to the public.

CSArt is modeled after the agricultural Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) “buy local” movement–in this case to support artists in the creation of new works, establish relationships with local collectors and patrons, and be part of a new model of art support and distribution.

After a juried selection process, nine local artists were chosen recently to participate with Sharon Arts in offering up 50 shares of work. Shareholders will receive, as is typical with farmer shares of CSA, three pieces per month (November through January) of locally-produced artwork specifically created for the program.

The nine artists chosen to participate in Sharon Art Center’s CSArt are: Craig Stockwell, a well-known area painter; Soosen Dunholter, collage artist; Colette Lucas, printmaker; Tanya Prather, fiber artist; Jack Ahearn, photographer; Kate Lenahan, oil painter; Lynn Latimer, glass artist; Jean Meinhardt, ceramic artist; and Fernando Martins, photographer.

Judges for this year’s CSArt project included Virginia Prescott, New Hampshire Public Radio “Word of Mouth” host; Katherine Doyle, an accomplished painter and independent curator at the Portsmouth Museum of Fine Art and other East Coast museums; and Vincent D’jon Perette, known as “Vinx,” a renowned musician and founder of “Soul Kitchen” creative workshops.

During the Sept.14 launch party there will be an opportunity to meet the jurors and the nine artists selected to participate in CSArt, see some of their work, discuss the project, and find out how it operates for both the artists and the shareholders. Those interested in purchasing a share or donating a corporate sponsorship can also learn more details during this event, which will include wine and cheese along with live music provided by the Half-Diminished Swing Band.

In her proposal for CSArt, Lynn Latimer wrote that “Although we have had CSAs in this area for many years, this is the first time I have been introduced to the concept being applied to another population: artists, the farmers of aesthetics that feed our spirits and minds. What an interesting way to engage the public on so many levels.” Soosen Dunholter said that when she received a message about CSArt she realized that it was a ”chance to join with other pilgrims on an artistic journey together…where we will each walk our own way on the route to a shared goal.”

Sharon Arts new executive director Keri Wiederspahn says she hopes that the public will “walk with these nine artists and Sharon Arts on the route to a shared goal in the renewal of artistic visions and the strengthening of art in our culture–both here in the Monadnock region and beyond.”

For more information, call (603) 924-7256 or see www.sharonarts.org.