Friday News Flash

April 2, 2010

Around the State

David Lamb Named N.H. Artist Laureate

Furniture maker David Lamb of Canterbury has been named New Hampshire’s fifth Artist Laureate. He takes over from visual artist James Aponovich of Hancock, who had served since 2006. Lamb was nominated by Governor John Lynch; the nomination was approved in March by the state’s Executive Council.

“My life is steeped in the Shaker traditions of excellent craftsmanship,” Lamb writes on his web site, www.davidlambfurniture.com. Raised at Canterbury Shaker Village, he apprenticed with European master Alejandro de la Cruz, then studied at Boston University’s Program in Artisanry. He designs and builds furniture, has won numerous design awards, and has been featured in many prestigious publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Traditional Home magazine, and the New York Times. In addition, he has contributed to major trade journals and books on Shaker traditions.

Lamb’s term ends in February 2012. Previous N.H. Artist Laureates are Gerry Williams, 1998-2000, James Bolle, 2000-2002, Marguerite Mathews, 2002-2004, and Aponovich.

 Arturo Jaras Watts Wins N.H. Poetry Out Loud

Arturo Jaras Watts, a senior at Oyster River High School in Durham, has won New Hampshire's fifth Poetry Out Loud championship. Watts will represent New Hampshire in Washington, D.C., April 25-28 at the national competition. In Sophomore Natalya Tausanovitch of Windham High School was selected as Alternate Champion.

A recitation competition for high school students, Poetry Out Loud is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Poetry Foundation, with major funding provided by the NEA. The state program's major sponsors are the N.H. State Council on the Arts and the Badger Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Learn more about the national program at www.PoetryOutloud.org. More information about New Hampshire's Poetry Out Loud program, including a list of state finalists and high school champions, is available by clicking on "Poetry Out Loud Competition Underway" link at http://www.nh.gov/nharts.

At the Department of Cultural Resources

Commissioner’s Roundtable is Tuesday

Join Van McLeod, Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Cultural Resources, for A Commissioner's Roundtable on Cultural & Heritage Tourism. The event will be held Tuesday, April 6, 2010 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, N.H. The roundtable will offer an opportunity for cultural and heritage tourism professionals from the state to discuss the topic “Reach out! How partners can help you achieve your goals.” For more information, visit http://www.nh.gov/nhculture/mediaroom/2010/march2010_roundtable.htm.

Congratulations to …

Deborah Brown
Poet Deborah Brown of Warner is the winner of the 2010 Boa Editions Poulin Prize. Her first book, “Walking the Dog’s Shadow,” will be published by Boa Editions in March 2011. Brown teaches at the University of New Hampshire, Manchester. For more information, visit http://boaeditions.org/blog/2010/03/the-winner-of-the-2010-a-poulin-jr-poetry-prize-is/.

Tricia Rose Burt
Visual and performing artist Tricia Rose Burt of Hancock will be  performing her one-woman show, “I Will Be Good,” at the Wow Café Theater in New York City later this month. For information, visit www.triciaroseburt.com.

Kathi Kouguell
An installation, “My Father’s Words: Let the Houses by the Witnesses,” by artist Kathi Kouguell of Exeter is on exhibit through April 15, 2010, at Stratham Community Church. In conjunction with the exhibit, she’ll be giving a presentation with the Aliento Chamber Players April 10. For information, visit http://www.alientochamber.org/.

Todd Hearon 
“Strange Land,” the debut collection by poet Todd Hearon of Exeter, was published this month by Southern Illinois University Press. Hearon is on the English faculty at Phillips Exeter Academy. For information on “Strange Land,” visit http://www.siupress.com/catalog/productinfo.aspx?id=5447&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1. 

Christine Destrempes
“13,699,” an installation by Christine Destrempes of Harrisville, will be featured at Down:2:Earth, A Green Living Festival (www.d2eboston.com) at the John B. Hynes Memorial Convention Center on 900 Boylston Street in Boston on April 9, 10, and 11. For information: http://13699bottlecaps.blogspot.com/2010/02/13699-is-going-to-boston.html.

Last updated: October 19, 2016