The New Hampshire State Council on the Arts has awarded Exeter artist Barbara Rita Jenny matching financial support for an Internet-based art project she plans to launch at First Night Portsmouth on New Year’s Eve.

“Kaleidoskins” is a Flash-based interactive art project based on Jenny’s SkinPrints, digital images that magnify folds and surfaces of human skin to create mysterious new images.

The Arts Council awarded her an Artist Opportunity Grant, which is aimed at helping individual artists “develop new work, advance their careers through professional development, or provide opportunities for established artists to mentor emerging artists.

Jenny has teamed up with Portsmouth design and development company Lightfin Studios (www.lightfin.com) to create Kaleidoskins Kiosks in the community room of South Church during the New Year’s Eve festivities. Afterward, the artwork will be available online at www.barbararitajenny.com.

Jenny’s work has also been funded in party by grants from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation-Piscataqua Region and the National Endowment for the Arts.