Conserved Farmlands is the
Focus of New Exhibition at the Harris Center
August 7 reception for “Monadnock Barnyards Revisited”
July 27, 2010 – Knowing how important farmlands are to the quality of life in the Monadnock Region, a group of five area artists have dedicated a new exhibition to these beautiful and familiar landscapes.
What’s more remarkable about these particular farmland paintings – all of the places depicted are protected, conserved for future generations to enjoy.
“Conserved Farmlands: Monadnock Barnyards Revisited” will be on display through September 22 at the Harris Center for Conservation Education in Hancock. It features the works of Francelia Mason Clark of Hancock, Mary Iselin and Alicia Geilenberg-Drakiotes, both of Marlborough, and Chris Reid and Ann Sawyer, both of Jaffrey.
There will be an opening reception for the exhibition on Saturday, August 7, 3 to 5 p.m., at the Harris Center. The artists will be on hand to discuss their work.
This is the second time the five artists have exhibited collectively. Three years ago, their exhibition “Monadnock Barnyards” was a tribute to the region’s agricultural settings.
The new exhibition is a natural extension of the first, and takes a step further by emphasizing the farmlands that have been permanently protected through conservation easements held by the Harris Center, the Monadnock Conservancy, Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and other organizations.
“We wanted to highlight the farmlands that we paint that have been legally conserved and that will always remain as open landscapes,” said artist Mary Iselin. “That’s very important for the future of this region.”
“In many ways, these farmlands are our life,” Iselin said. “We all have connections to them, and we all have connections to the farming that they provide.”
“Real farms contribute so much to the New Hampshire fabric and landscape,” said Jaffrey artist Ann Sawyer. “I would like to think that we would not lose all of our remaining agricultural heritage.”
Artists in the exhibition have been working on these pieces for about three years. They’re all very excited about this work and pleased to have it featured at the Harris Center, Iselin said. A portion of the proceeds from paintings sold during the exhibition will support the Harris Center.
For more information, contact the Harris Center at 603-525-3394, or visit www.harriscenter.org.
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Established in 1970, the Harris Center for Conservation Education is a member-supported nonprofit organization that:
- Promotes understanding and respect for our natural environment through education of all ages;
- Protects and practices exemplary stewardship of the region's natural resources; and
- Provides programs that encourage active participation in the great outdoors.