Exhibits, galleries, theater and more: Seacoast arts and culture news

The Art Center and NH Art Association presents the 2024 "Creme de la Creme" Members' Exhibition

DOVER — The Art Center, in collaboration with the NH Art Association, unveil the 2024 'Creme de la Creme' Members' Exhibition. This exhibit brings together the best works by members of both organizations, promising an inspiring display of artistic mastery. The exhibition runs through the end of June.

Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the exhibition and delve into the remarkable stories and inspirations behind each piece. With diverse mediums, styles, and themes, these works of art promise to ignite conversations about the power of creative expression.

Join us for a reception on Saturday, June 1, from 6 to 9 p.m.  Attendees are encouraged to don their finest artsy outfits, expressing their own unique creativity and style.

Visit the exhibit in person or on our online gallery at www.theartcenteronlinegallery.com.

The Earth, The Air, The Fire, The Water: Voices from the Heart celebrates The Elements

PORTSMOUTH — Celebrating the earth, the air, the fire, the water, Voices from the Heart will sing praise to the elements in song on Saturday, June 1 at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at South Church, 292 State St., Portsmouth.

Tickets are on sale at https://portsmouthnhtickets.com/organizations/voices-from-the-heart and will be $20 each. This welcome home concert is sure to sell out, get your tickets early. Any that are left will be sold at the door.

Ukulele Festival raises over $2,100 for charity

DOVER — The Southern New Hampshire Ukulele Group (SNHUG) raised $2,150 at a recent event, their eighth annual ukulele festival “SNHUGFEST, to benefit the Ukulele Kids Club (UKC). The funds will be used by the Ukulele Kids Club to purchase instruments for children’s hospitals with music therapy programs, including several here in New Hampshire.  The UKC donates these instruments to music therapists who then teach the hospitalized children how to play.  The child brings the instrument home with them as a “gift for life.”  The UKC is a NH registered 501(c)(3) charity.

The event was held on the Rotary Arts Pavilion Stage at Henry Law Park in scenic downtown Dover, N.H. on Saturday, May 11. Featured performers included solo artists Steve Roy and Amy Kucharik.  Ukulele groups included, The Unlikely Strummers, Desperate Strings, Ukulidiots, Ukes of Hazard, Silver Strummers, Ukulele Strummers of Southern Maine, June and the Honey Badgers, Ukes of Hazard, Betty Machete and the Jumping Fleas, The Kukuleles followed by a Grand Finale Strumalong led by Mark Anderson of Austin17.

The Southern NH Ukulele Group’s eighth annual festival drew an enthusiastic crowd of over 200 and raised over $2,100 for the UKC.  Total funds raised by SNHUG is over $104,000.  For information contact SNHUG@outlook.com and visit  www.facebook/snhug.

3S Artspace presents: Dish Works by Laura Tanner

PORTSMOUTH — 3S Artspace announces its early summer exhibition, Dish, running from June 7 to July 28. An opening reception and opportunity to meet the artist will be held Friday, June 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. with remarks from the artist at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The exhibit, Dish, uses drawing and community engagement to explore how local foodways can define a community's identity and reflect contemporary challenges that community is facing, like food insecurity and climate change.

The artist, Laura Tanner, gathers oral histories from farmers, chefs, restaurant patrons and home cooks. Using their stories as inspiration, her drawings present a visual archive of the rituals, recipes, and traditions of different communities. Tanner's project began in the Southeast, and continues in a new iteration along the East Coast. By examining a community’s foodways, we can better understand a group of people, and in turn, their current economies, social structures, political leanings, and needs as a community.

For more information about the exhibition and related events, visit www.3sarts.org.

The Kittery Art Association Music Series presents The Old Hat Stringband

KITTERY, Maine — The Kittery Art Association Music Series presents The Old Hat Stringband, Sunday, June 2, at 7 p.m. Fusing tight vocal harmonies with a propulsive acoustic rhythm section, Old Hat Stringband creates a sound that draws from bluegrass, old time, folk, and country traditions. The band is comprised of Whitney Roy (Guitar, Vocals), Steve Roy (Mandolin, Fiddle, Vocals), Amanda Kowalski (Bass), and Carolyn Kendrick (Fiddle, Vocals).

Tickets $20. Purchase tickets online: https://portsmouthnhtickets.com/organizations/kitteryartassociation.

‘Alice’ A Whimsical Musical in Wonderland comes to the Players’ Ring

PORTSMOUTH – One of the most magical tales of childhood is the story of “Alice in Wonderland.” The Players’ Ring Theatre, in conjunction with Upside Arts, is producing this tale, based on the books by Lewis Carroll, and adapted and directed by Miles Burns and Joshua Goldberg with additional music and lyrics by Scott Hermenau.

“Alice” is on stage at the Ring May 24 through June 2. General Admission: $31; Students / Seniors (65+): $28; Children (under 12): $18. This show is not included in the Ring’s subscription packages. For tickets, visit www.playersring.org.

Racial Unity Team’s 2024 annual Arts & Poetry Challenge is now open

STATEWIDE — Racial Unity Team’s annual Arts & Poetry Challenge is the living breathing proof of the power of creating human connection through the arts. This challenge invites New Hampshire residents to submit their art, poetry, or sculpture based on a unifying theme.This year’s theme is belonging.  Explore and express what it means to belong, or not belong, through original art or poetry. Compete for cash prizes for first, second, and third place in five age categories, kindergarten students through adults.

The deadline for submissions is Aug. 31. After an opening exhibit and award ceremony at the Currier Museum in Manchester, the exhibit will be displayed throughout the state in local libraries, art galleries and on the Racial Unity Team website.

For challenge rules and resources visit the Racial Unity Team website: racialunityteam.com/art-and-poetry-challenge

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Exhibits, galleries, theater and more: Seacoast arts and culture news