the art of Russian nested dolls

Russia has changed dramatically over the last 200 years, but the sophistication and beauty of Russian art has remained consistent throughout the country’s tumultuous history. Nothing illustrates that continuity like the famous Matryoshka dolls, otherwise known as nested dolls. These dolls, which are characterized by a series of rotund figures that fit inside one another, were first introduced to Russia in the 1800s. The Russian version of the nested doll is thought to be an adaptation of a similar Japanese model that represented the Seven Gods of Fortune. Since its introduction, the Matryoshka doll has become an important symbol of Russian culture throughout the world. 

On Saturday, Aug. 11, Seacoast residents will have a chance to experience that culture and create their own nested dolls. Traditional Russian artist and lecturer Marina Forbes will be conducting a workshop on the folk tradition of wooden Matryoshka dolls from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Durham Public Library. It’s open to adults and families with children ages six and up.
“It is actually fun for the whole community,” said Forbes, who is originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, but has lived in the United States since 1993. The workshop will include a lesson on the history of nested dolls. After that, participants will practice Russian brush stroke techniques on paper before working on their own seven-, five- or three-piece dolls. The workshop will also feature traditional Russian music and dance. “It’s fun and total emersion in Russian culture,” Forbes said. “Everyone goes home happy, with a beautiful piece of Russian art on wood. It happens all the time,” she added.

Nested dolls traditionally depict robust Russian peasant women. The word Matryoshka is actually a diminutive from the Russian first name Matryona, which is traditionally associated with corpulent, rustic Russian women. But contemporary nested dolls often include animals, presidents, movie stars and family portraits. “People go absolutely crazy. And the possibilities are endless. People are so creative,” Forbes enthusiastically proclaimed. “It started from a tradition when you were supposed to work within small margins. Now everyone is doing whatever they want to do and everything is absolutely beautiful,” she added.
For more information or to pre-register, contact the Durham Public Library at 868-6699 or call Forbes at 332-2255.

where art and the environment shake hands

The third annual Art of Great Bay show will be held Oct. 19-21, with an opening wine and cheese reception on the first night of the show. Although the exhibit is still several months away, artists are invited to start preparing submissions for this year’s juried competition. The Art of Great Bay show features work that depicts Great Bay’s flora, fauna and alluring landscape. “Some of us call it the hidden jewel of the Seacoast, and there is a good reason for that,” said Nancy Cauvet, spokesperson for the Great Bay Stewards. “It is the innermost estuary in the continental U.S.A., and, as an estuary, it has very special features with the tides running in and out.” The Stewards are the friends group for the Great Bay Discovery Center on Depot Road in Greenland, an educational facility for the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. 

The Great Bay Stewards began organizing an exhibition of artwork depicting the inland estuary two years ago. The first Art of Great Bay show was held at the Discovery Center in November 2005. “We wanted to publicize what a wonderful place the Great Bay is,” Cauvet said. Although she is not an artist, Cauvet became interested in the way art could potentially benefit Great Bay. She visited a number of galleries on the Seacoast and sent out invitations to a number of artists. The result was a successful first show that featured 45 artists, most of whom sold all of their pieces.

Another successful show was held in 2006. After that event, a fleet of artists that were not featured in the show began inquiring as to how they could submit work. Because there was so much interest, the Great Bay Stewards decided to do a juried show, which would allow any artist to submit artwork. The two jury members are Carol Aronson-Shore of Portsmouth and Rose Sielian Theriault of Rochester. Pieces that are selected and shown will be available for sale to the general public, with 30 percent of each sale going to support programs at the Great Bay Discovery Center.

Artists can submit work from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Oct. 17, at the Hugh Gregg Center on the grounds of the Great Bay Discovery Center on the Stratham/Greenland town line. The two- and three-dimensional pieces must depict the Great Bay, its flora, fauna, history, landscape or the people that enjoy its use. Two-dimensional artists may submit a maximum of two works, not to exceed 30 inches by 30 inches in size. Jewelry, sculpture, pottery and fabric art is also welcome. There is a $10 entry fee per artist. For more information, call the Great Bay Discovery Center at 778-0015.

‘Food for Thought’ offers sustenance for the eye

For the past three years, the Seacoast Artists Association and Blue Moon Market have worked to bring local art to the Exeter natural foods store and café. An upcoming exhibit features work by Stratham resident Gene Galipeau, who plans to show acrylic and oil paintings, photography, prints and a cookbook illustrated by the artist and written by his wife, Betty. The theme, which is appropriate to the location, is “Food for Thought.”

When Galipeau is not in Stratham, he can usually be found at his property on Prince Edward Island in Canada. The artist, who trained at the Butera School of Fine Art and Design in Boston, has frequented the island since he was two years old. His friends and family who live in the Maritime province were the inspiration for the cookbook that will be on display at the Blue Moon Market. Homemade recipes and homespun stories are interspersed with Galipeau’s illustrations and recipes from his wife.

The exhibit is already on display at Blue Moon on Clifford Street, and a reception for the show will be held on Aug. 17, from 5-7 p.m. It will remain on display through September. 

“It will be quite a bright exhibit, and very colorful,” Galipeau said. Although he has had several exhibits in the area, he is particularly excited to show his art at the Blue Moon Market. He estimates that there is a two-year waiting list to show art there, but said it is well worth the wait. “It’s a wonderful place to visit. The people are nice and it’s a nice venue,” he said.  
“I have seen Gene’s work in the past. The strong shapes and strong colors have really stayed with me. I look forward to seeing them again,” said Peggi McCarthy, spokesperson for Blue Moon Market. The venue seems particularly well suited for Galipeau’s show. “It’s a health store plus a health café. It works well into the theme I have,” Galipeau said.

Galipeau received instruction in both classical and avant-garde forms. Much of his work shows a realistic point of view and often uses elements from graphic design. “I’m influenced from my basic surroundings and the everyday images that I like to portray,” he said.