Summer Arts Season Kicks Off at Jaffrey Civic Center with Trio of New Exhibitions

JAFFREY — The Jaffrey Civic Center will officially launch its summer arts season on Friday, June 12, with a public opening reception for a vibrant triple-feature exhibition. The reception, running from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., offers community members a chance to explore the new collections, meet the artists, and enjoy light refreshments. All three exhibitions will remain on display through Saturday, July 25. The summer lineup brings together two solo showcases from prominent regional artists alongside a unique collaborative group exhibition from out of state. 'Form & Color' by Bessann Triplett Visitors to the galleries will first encounter a solo exhibition of non-objective abstract paintings by artist Bessann Triplett. The collection marks a creative evolution for Triplett, who transitioned to painting and mixed media after a successful 30-year career owning and operating a professional hand-weaving studio. Drawing on a lifetime of observing world cultures and the natural environment, Triplett uses line, shape, and a bold palette to activate the canvas. "I've always been drawn to the expressive possibilities of color, shape, and material," Triplett said of her work, which invites viewers to explore perception and memory. 50-Year Retrospective by James Cusmano Sharing the summer spotlight is Peterborough multimedia artist James Cusmano, whose exhibition offers a sweeping retrospective spanning more than 50 years of creative output. A Pratt Institute alumnus and a recent inductee into the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, Cusmano works across an array of mediums—including oils, pastels, pottery, and relief watercolor monoprints. His current passion lies in the meticulous art of silk painting, created by applying liquid French dyes by hand onto white China silk. Inspired by the rhythm and fragility of the environment, Cusmano's vibrant, nature-themed installations challenge viewers to see nature as a living force that shapes human emotion. 'Hello, Neighbor!' Group Exhibition Rounding out the lineup is a collaborative cross-border greeting organized by the Midcoast Maine Book Artists. The group exhibition features 14 Maine-based artists who are extending a creative hand to New Hampshire—Maine's only bordering state. Through a diverse array of handmade book forms, the artists explore shared concepts of community, boundaries, and what it truly means to be a neighbor. Featured artists include: Geralyn Campanelli, Laura DeGrace, Avi Good, Rebecca Goodale, Naomi Howe, Cindy McGuirl, Judy O'Dell, Karen Olson, Jan Owen, Abbie Read, Richard Reitz Smith, Joelle Webber, Sandy Weisman, and Dudley Zopp. For more information, visit jaffreyciviccenter.com.