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.
June Events
Don Demers was born and raised here in New England, vacationing along the coast near Boothbay Harbor, ME. His exposure to maritime and the sea comes from extensive time spent as a crew member on a variety of sailing boats, and ships and he continues to be an avid sailor. After college, Don began working as an illustrator and branching into the world of fine art. His paintings are featured in multiple and diverse publications, venues, on television, and in many other places nationally. Additionally, Don has received and holds many awards for his work. You can read more about him and see more of his paintings on his website: http://www.donalddemers.com.
During Don’s Second Sunday Demonstration, he will paint an oil demonstration piece that includes waves breaking on the shore. This painting will be based on a scene from the New Hampshire seacoast using a photograph for reference. Please join us for this excellent opportunity!
This event is free to the public.
Plein Air at Sandy Point Discovery Center – Sketching and Painting on Location
Don will also lead a plein air workshop as a fundraiser for our SAA Scholarship at Sandy Point Discovery Center located at 89 Depot Road, Greenland on Friday June 19 from 9 am to 5 pm. In the morning, artists will gather in the barn on the Center’s property. Don will present a short tutorial on plein air painting. After the presentation, artists will spread out along the Great Bay shoreline to paint and sketch. Don will circulate among the participants providing construction suggestions, and tips. At 3:30, the group will gather once again in the barn. Here, Don will give individual critiques. There is room for 12 participants. The cost for this wonderful painting opportunity is $125. This is a first-come first-serve event, so if you want to participate call Richard Page at 1+(603) 799~2710. Bring your lunch.
Flemish flower painting flourished in 17th century Netherlands where it combined botanical detail with dramatic compositions and symbolic meaning. “Impossible” bouquets were often created with flowers that bloomed at different times of the year, hence many of these historical paintings were not completed on sight but were inventive. The two large compositions I have here were painted on sight with flowers, sent to me by my oldest son, from a florist in Portsmouth, “Flowers by Leslie”. My fascination with this genre of painting stems from an interest in the fragile beauty of flowers and the joy they represent.
Primarily a painter of boats, landscapes and flowers, Jane works in both acrylic and oil paints, capturing the shapes, compositions and light that define her visions. Jane has a degree in art education from the University of New Hampshire and is the author of “Visual Arts for Middle Schools”. She maintains a studio in North Hampton, NH and exhibits her work here in Exeter and at Ceres Gallery and the NHAA in Portsmouth, NH.
One of my favorite places is out at sea. We are lucky enough to have a boat and whether I’m heading out to the Isles of Shoals or beyond, I’m always filled with anticipation of what treasures we will discover. With my camera always at the ready, one can find endless images to spark creativity, both in photography and painting. The warm sun, the smell of the salted air and the sound of the ever moving water, it is an artist’s treasure chest of possibilities.
This BOW collection is an extension of moments out at sea, embracing wildlife, seascapes, lighthouses and some waves in between. I’m always taking notice of changing light, color, shadows or the constant movement that is surrounding me and my lens. From there, I let my imagination run free. This sampling is a glimpse of time spent out at sea… my happiest place to be!
“I must have flowers, always, and always.”
– Claude Monet
Because these fragile masterpieces of nature evoke such profound emotion, they have provided infinite inspirations for artists for centuries.
Monthly theme shows are open to all artists – see our SAA 2026 Theme Show brochure (PDF) and entry form (PDF).
This month’s reception at the SAA Gallery is from 5-7pm featuring music by Betsy Green.
Betsy has been playing music in the Seacoast area for the past ten years; she’ll serenade you with fiddle tunes and old-timey songs. Betsy is also a Seacoast Artist Association member and her work can be found at betsygreenart.com. Come on out and tap your feet!
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!
Classes and Workshops
Watercolor Series: The Ways of Water- #1 June 16th 10-2 $100
Water in the landscape wears many faces. Everchanging in form, color, and its relationship with light. Still water offers reflections in tidepools, ponds, marshes and lakes. Rivers provide moving water that breaks against whatever is in its path. And of course, the grand ocean gives us water patterns, crashing waves, and dramatic shorelines. This workshop will begin a series that focuses on one form of water at a time, beginning with still water and reflections. Images that convey water reflections can have strong visual impact, as they add an additional layer of light and illusion. An overview of techniques and brushwork will be demonstrated. Color options and different ways of saving white areas will be discussed. There will be samples and references on hand to work from, but feel free to bring in your own. Is there a familiar view of water that you’ve been wanting to paint?
Watercolor Series: The Ways of Water #2 June 23rd 10-2 $100
This week will also feature reflections as they can appear in marshes and ponds in dramatic lighting. Moody skies only add to the glowing effects of water reflections. Taking the previous workshop is not a requirement for taking this one. If you did take the previous workshop, feel free to work on paintings you have started and add new elements as you are ready.
Contact Margaret for more info or to register: dwyerdavis@gmail.com
Or visit MargaretDwyerArtist.com
(discount given if you sign up for both workshops)
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.
See Doris’ instructor profile on our Classes page.