Web site gives bigger audience to small art

The Atom Group, a Web site development agency in Portsmouth, has built a new user-friendly Web site for local art gallery Nahcotta, putting the Enormous Tiny Art Show online.

The site, www.enormoustinyart.com, showcases Nahcotta’s biannual event, allowing visitors to easily view the artwork, research the artists, see real-time inventory updates and purchase original artwork online.

“We want everyone to experience the thrill of owning their own artwork,” said Deb Thompson, owner of Nahcotta, in a press release. She explained that the show, which has artwork measuring 10 by 10 square inches, was created to make buying original artwork more affordable and realistic. The event has gained momentum over the years and the Web site expands the experience, making the art accessible to people who may not be able to visit the gallery in person.

The site uses an application that provides an inventory status so online shoppers can see what’s still available for purchase, solving the challenge of updating.

The site launched in late 2008. The Enormous Tiny Art show is displaying the work of more than 40 artists at Nahcotta in downtown Portsmouth through March 6.


local artists needed for local shows

As part of Portsmouth’s monthly Art ’Round Town gallery walks, the Kennedy Gallery is planning themed exhibits highlighting area landmarks.

Each month will showcase images of one or two local sights, including The Wentworth Coolidge Mansion, Portsmouth Harbor and tugs, North Church steeple, Isle of Shoals, lighthouses, Strawbery Banke and Market Square.

The shows will coincide with the upcoming tourist season, said manager Teri Martin, when many people may be seeking local gifts while visiting. “We want to present ourselves as the place to go for that,” she said.

The gallery also hopes to inspire area artists to consider their own surroundings and encourage local talent to participate in a show, Martin added.

Artists of all mediums can apply to have their work shown at the gallery. Interested artists should submit their finished work to Kennedy by Sunday, March 1, for consideration. Call 603-436-7007 for more information and to arrange a viewing of your work.  

Kennedy Gallery and Custom Framing is located at 41 Market Square in downtown Portsmouth.

artists pay taxes, too

The New Hampshire Art Association will hold two tax workshops for visual artists in February, focusing on issues in managing art expenses and the sales.

Some of the topics to be covered are how to maximize tax advantages and minimize tax liabilities, to be or not to be on Schedule C, the distinction between a business and a hobby with the IRS, how to track income and expenses throughout the year, and how to correctly file your taxes. Helen Steele, a tax advisor with HR Block will lead the workshops. They are open to all visual artists.

On Tuesday, Feb. 24, a workshop is scheduled at the Portsmouth Public Library’s Levenson Community Room at 175 Parrott Ave., Portsmouth. On Thursday, Feb. 26, it is at the Manchester Public Library’s Winchell Room at 405 Pine St., Manchester. Both workshops will take place from 6 to 8 p.m.