Home

The Seacoast Artist Association is a group of artists and people interested in art, based in the seacoast area of New Hampshire. Our gallery, located at 130 Water Street in downtown Exeter, is open:

Wednesday-Saturday 10am – 5pm
Sunday 10am – 2pm

We offer new body of work and theme show exhibitions every month by local artists, public art receptions every second Friday evening, classes and demonstrations, and scholarship programs.

See About to learn more about our all-volunteer non-profit organization.

January Events

Molly Meng has lived and created art in NYC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and, lucky for us, she now creates here in NH. Her art stems from her desire to recreate a piece of the past, a story, and items that have been forgotten and worn over time. Her work emerges through layers, and meaning comes from those within those hidden layers, which put forth energy to reach those who need to find it.

Using vintage ephemera, found photos, discarded books, and textiles from the past, Molly tells us a new story with the found object creations which she has brought to life through layering and stitching. Music, voices, theremins, a word, discarded objects, a page from a vintage book, random sentences and overheard statements, all influence and spark Molly’s creativity. Molly strives to “right some ‘wrongs’ in the world.

On January 11, Molly will discuss the opportunities around showing and/or selling artwork in your community and beyond. She plans to focus on her current exhibition installed for the 2025-2026 season at The Players’ Ring theatre in Portsmouth, NH. The exhibition is titled Strangely Fantastic” and explores “…the connections made, the preparation and research, the makeup of the specific pieces of work, the display, the opening night, and what comes next.

My work in watercolor is rooted in 6 years of living year- round on Monhegan, where I learned to paint. When I arrived as a newcomer, the island artists welcomed me and Paul Neimeic, the first person I met on the island, who became and remains my strongest mentor.

These paintings reflect the Monhegan I came to know in the “white” season, sometimes quiet but often harsh with windswept vistas few ever see. The stillness, desolation, the relentless wind, and the stark beauty shaped my days and artistic voice.

This show offers a glimpse of a season most never experience. I want to share that hidden season when the island becomes an ice covered rock. My aim is to reveal the solitude and beauty of “Winter on Monhegan”, offering viewers a glimpse into the landscape that taught me how to see.

Refocus on the much larger themes of life: the improbable phenomenon of our existence and the epiphanies of experience. We are beautiful creatures surrounded by darkness. Practice awe. Never stagnate. Peace ∙ prosperity ∙ happiness.

Ty’s art projects a positive philosophy offset by darkness. It’s about finding beauty in the world despite the difficult times. It’s uplifting and dark, expressing love and struggle via humble critters and a lot of scrollwork.

Ty grew up in Willits, CA, a tiny town in the redwoods, spent a tour in the Army in Germany driving tanks and then spent 20 years in the San Francisco Bay Area. He enjoyed semesters abroad in Florence, Italy and Paris, France. Ty spent two years in Russia in St. Petersburg but eventually landed in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, to raise his daughter who has turned out wonderful. He now lives and works in Concord, NH.

Theme Show
January 2026
Black & White

Black and white is not a lesser color image – it is, in many ways, more powerful. It gets to the core of what is important in an image, leaving behind the distractions of color.
– David Präkel.

This theme uses black and white photography or artwork to evoke the cold, serene beauty of winter images. Feel free to use your own definition of “winter”.

Monthly theme shows are open to all artists – see our SAA 2026 Theme Show brochure (PDF) and entry form (PDF).

Second Friday Reception
January 9, 2026 5-7pm
Music by: Betsy Heron

Receptions for our monthly body of work and theme shows are FREE and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Meet your local artists!

The Seacoast Artist Association is running the Fundraiser “Panel by Panel” to raise money for the scholarship fund. We have 80+, 5” by 7” birch wood panel cradle boards. Starting January 2nd you will be able to pick up one or two panels at the gallery for free.  Use your panel to create a piece of artwork to donate.  Panels will be available in January, February and even into March as long as they last.

As the artist you may choose your medium.  You may choose to make your art vertical or horizontal.  Be sure and sign your artwork! Bring your finished panel art as a donation to Seacoast Artist Association on or before March 21, 2026.  

Your panel art will lead a glamorous life.  It will be photographed and featured in a video on the SAA Website, Facebook and Instagram.  April 1-10th your panel will be hung in the gallery where it can be admired.  Then…(drum roll, please) on Saturday, April 11th all panels will be available for sale for $50 each!  Funds raised from this event will help provide scholarships to High School students from the 13 area High Schools. Eligible students need to be pursuing art in a 2 or 4 year Visual Arts program  in a college or university.

Please go have fun making a little panel during the cold winter months and help the next generation of artists. Also remember to come back in April to see and purchase some wonderful art.

Learn more in this short video.

Art Class
Doris Rice
Thursdays 5:30–7:30 pm

Each week features a new subject designed to teach both technique and topic – open to all levels. Visit DorisRice.com, where you can also sign up for her newsletter for updates on classes and workshops. Cost is $35/class or $168 for a 6-class card.