Brighten up a dreary January weekend by checking out “Art & Arrangements” at the Kimball-Jenkins Estate, 266 N. Main St. The two-day fundraising event to benefit the Kimball-Jenkins School of Art will showcase the works of regional artists and floral arrangements by members of the New Hampshire State Florists’ Association.
On Jan. 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. guests are welcome to a free open house at the estate to preview the art and arrangements. Plus, there will be an opportunity to meet the new estate trustees, artists, florists and lifestyle and entertainment expert and author, Matthew Mead. Refreshments will be served.
After perusing the creative works on Friday evening, you’ll want to come back for the main event. Jan. 16, from 5 to 7 p.m., is the auction, which will give people the opportunity to maybe bring something beautiful back to their humble abode. While you’re there, enjoy champagne, wine, hors d’oevres and music. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door.
To get the scoop on the flowery affair, we talked with Steve Metzger, chairman of the School of Art Supporters – a group of volunteers who, among other things, help the school by organizing fundraisers such as Arts & Arrangements. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit kimballjenkins.com or call 225-3932.
How did this event get started? We contacted Lorrie Carey, owner of Marshall’s Florist in Boscawen to brainstorm. She suggested we feature works of regional artists along with floral arrangements. Lorrie talked to Valerie Dawes of the New Hampshire State Florists Association, whose organization agreed to be event co-presenters with the School of Art Supporters.
We decided on a two-day gala. At Friday night’s open house the community can learn more about the school and estate. Saturday night will feature an auction for those interested in acquiring professional painting, sculptures, fine art photography and original designer floral arrangements. The school wants anyone who loves art to have the opportunity to own an original piece.
Who are the exhibitors? Exhibiting regional artists include Scott Bulger, Al Jaeger, June Latti, Linda Johanson, Lee Roy Johnson, Kim Roth, Mark Ruddy, Aaron Smith, Natacha Sochat and Ian Torney. Participating florists include Fortin-Gage Flower of Nashua, Hollyhocks Florist of Dunbarton, Cobblestone Design of Concord, Jacques Flower Shop of Manchester, Cole Gardens of Concord and Studley’s Flower Garden of Rochester, with some businesses offering multiple arrangements. Inpidual floral designers are represented as well.
Here’s a chicken or the egg question –which came first: Art or arrangements? We decided that the art would be selected first to provide a creative challenge to the talents of the floral designers. Many florists are capable of creating an arrangement that works well with a still-life painting, but it takes a special floral designer to interpret, for example, a Natacha Sochat painting. Ryan Linehan, the school’s director of education selected the artists and the art, and the florists each chose the art they would be interpreting.
Will there be food? Friday night there will be refreshments provided by Nancy and Rachel Young, but Saturday night will be the piece de resistance. Chef David G. Collise III and his assistant from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., will be donating their time in preparing such specialties as salmon crostini with mascarpone cheese, stuffed Belgium enpe and risotto cakes with mushroom and spinach and more. Even if there were no art or florals, this experience alone would be worth the price of a ticket.
How will the school use the money raised? These are challenging times for all nonprofits, and like all nonprofits the school needs funds to support its scholarship program, maintain facilities and pay everyday expenses.
What are you most looking forward to at the event? Naturally I hope that this event brings in much needed funding for the school, and of course I hope everyone has a great time. But more than anything I hope that attendees walk away with a new appreciation of the treasures they have at the Kimball-Jenkins Estate and its School of Art. This is designed to be an event that no one in the cultural community should miss!
