Previous Art Exhibitions
Art Work of Dolores “Mickey” Bartlett at St. Kieran Arts
Antony and Cleopatra mural on display at the Berlin Middle School
The works of Dolores Bartlett (b. 1930, d. 2015) are currently on display in the main hall of St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts. A lifelong resident of the area, Mickey’s interest in art was greatly influenced by her Berlin High School Art Instructor, Robert Hughes (1915-2004) a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. She participated in a number of art related projects spearheaded by Mr. Hughes including the mural project of 1950. The results of this project, a large mural of Antony and Cleopatra, has remained on a corridor wall at the Berlin Middle School (formerly Berlin High School) for 70 years!
Mickey hoped to follow in the footsteps of her mentor and applied to the Rhode Island School of Design. She was denied acceptance due to an affliction with tuberculosis. This set back did not diminish her passion for creativity. Early on, Mickey sculpted with wood and created a number of water color paintings. From 1948 to 2005, she created new artwork which found its way onto custom Christmas cards mailed to hundreds of friends and acquaintances. In 1956, Mickey won the top prize ($30.00) in the Brown Company Industrial Safety Poster contest. Her clever design featured a chess board on which the chess pieces were capped with drawings of various industrial safety equipment to deliver the message, “You Can Win The Game of Accident Prevention If You Make The Right Moves.”
Mickey found great joy in her creativity and especially enjoyed her week-long summer trips with fellow artists to the artist’s haven on Monhegan Island (Maine). Several of her works originated there including hand-drawn post cards sent from the island’s post office. She enjoyed participating in and selling her paintings at juried art shows. She caringly shared her talents with the residents of the Coos County Nursing Home while serving as Activities Director.
A selection of Mickey’s works will be on display until late Spring and can be viewed prior to or following any performance series event or by contacting the arts center office at 603.752.1028 to arrange a scheduled visit.
Artist, Illustrator, Author and Educator; Judi Calhoun at St. Kieran Arts
Belushi
Berleigh & Delaney
John Coltrane
Angel
Kittens
The main hall of St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts is adorned with works by artist, illustrator, author and educator, Judi Calhoun. Calhoun studied Art and English at Palomar College in San Marcos, California. Over the years, she has produced over 60 published stories and hundreds of artworks. In 2009, Ms. Calhoun was the recipient of the Artist Innovation Award given by Art Works, NH. She was also twice commissioned to create a cancellation stamp for the US Postal Service. Additionally she teaches art to students ranging from Kindergarten age, to 92 years young.
Calhoun works in nearly every medium, pencil, acrylic, ink, and pastel and loves to create pieces representing items she finds interesting, fun, or unusual.
2018 - Residents of Coos County Nursing Home Display Artwork at St. Kieran Arts Center
This unique art exhibit is a collaboration between Arts Center Executive Director, Monique Lavertu and Coos County Nursing Home Activities Director, Diane Booth. The idea came from a visit to the nursing home by the North Country Bell Choir to perform for the resident’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. While assisting with clean up at the end of the celebration, Monique noticed the art work that was adorning the walls in the home’s corridors. “I knew right then and there that I needed to have those or similar items in the community arts center,” Ms. Lavertu stated, “What a great show of community and the arts!” She made contact with Ms. Booth to inquire about the possibilities and, as they say, “The rest is history!”
“These pieces have touched me somehow. I don’t know a single artist in person, but to know that they are here in our community and that the arts are still a part of their lives, well, it’s moving is all and I’m going to hold onto them until at least September if they’ll let me.”
Since the works have been on display, Ms. Lavertu has received many positive comments about the exhibit. A couple of the artists have even made the trip over to the center to see their works with family members. Although, not technically a “for sale” display, there have been a few inquiries. “Perhaps it’s something that we’ll look into for the future,” claims Lavertu, “Maybe that’s how these local artists make their mark. We non-profits have to stick together!” she says with a twinkle in her eye.
2017 - Berlin Quilters Guild Display
The Berlin Material Girls, will be on display through the end of 2017. The broad array of quilted pieces can be viewed during the regular performance series events or by contacting the arts center office to arrange a special viewing.
The Material Girls have been gathering for the common love of quilting for 19 years. These artists in residence gather weekly to sew. They hold a monthly business meeting to assemble their now 30-member guild. Of those 30 members, 11 currently have work on display in the main hall; Barbara Barbieri, Sylvia Charest, Lorraine Farrar, Heidi Glines, Ann Gosselin, Arlene Lambert, Terry Montminy, Sherry Morin, Dottie Sanschagrin, Cecile Strout and Sally Tourangeau.
The Material Girls are involved in a number of community and charitable giving programs. They make comfort quilts for newborns, shelters, nursing homes and veterans in need. They are currently preparing for their seventh biennial quilt show which is scheduled for September 14-15, 2018 at the arts center. The center’s historic St. Kieran building is a perfect venue for showcasing their efforts. Each show is as unique as the quilts on display.
2016 - A collection by ED SOLAR
Saturday, September 24th thru the end of 2016
Born and raised in northern New Jersey, Edward Solar studied at Montana State University Utah State University and Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) in New Jersey. The now-retired business owner taught high school mathematics for two years before deciding to work for himself. His interest in woodcarving first began at about the age of 10. He was fascinated by a hand-carved chain. His first project was his very own short, six-link chain. It didn’t take him long to realize that he wanted to continue carving and his hobbies now include not only woodcarving, but also woodworking, basket weaving and the art of staining glass.
Mr. Solar’s exhibit, being housed at St. Kieran’s, includes a variety of items from his personal collection: a wooden reindeer, a moose antler depicting a carved nature scene, wooden plates and bowls, jewelry, pens, oil paintings, weaved baskets, stained glass and a multitude of other items adorning virtually the entire space! The exhibit includes a large wood carving of a carousel horse which holds a special place Ed’s heart. The history of the carousel horse is posted near the work.
KIRSTAN LUKASAK - A Walk In The Park
Spending the first part of her life in Bow, Lukasak moved to Berlin when she was just 16. After a period of travel, she returned to call Berlin home. Her love of the visual arts is expressed in her photography, but she also finds joy and beauty in painting, drawing, crocheting and working with clay.
With the purchase of her first camera, she began taking pictures of everyday things that caught her eye. Lukasak fell in love with flowers and grew to appreciate the uniqueness of each one. Beyond her passion for photography, Lukasak acknowledges that she loves to share her work with others.
“My favorite part is telling people that most of the photos are taken right here in town. People are always surprised to learn that there are several botanical gardens within walking distance of downtown,” said Lukasak.
With the support of her family and friends, she decided to turn her images into greeting cards, postcards and prints. Lukasak sells her cards locally at the Berlin Farmers’ Market and at Rumorz Boutique on Main Street in Berlin.
Lukasak is currently employed as a reporter for the Berlin Daily Sun and is working to earn her Master’s Degree in Creative Writing with a concentration in Non-Fiction. Perhaps we will see her name pop up again in the literary field.
St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts 
155 Emery Street . Berlin, New Hampshire 03570 . Call 603-752-1028