Alicia Ethridge’s paintings in Nature of the Beast rove through a menagerie of animals inhabiting a range of landscapes from tranquil to lively. The work invites the viewer to consider these animals as watchers and observers. These paintings seek to bring the viewers closer to nature, and awaken the part of us that is nature itself. We all need to need to bear in mind that we are;

proud as a lion

clever as a fox

bold as a blue jay

wise as an owl

mysterious as a crow

free as horse

loyal as a wolf

resilient as a seal

devoted as a deer

Artist Bio

Alicia Sampson Ethridge (b. 1984, New Jersey) is an artist living in Coastal Maine and a founding member of Seven Artists Collective. She received her MSW in Expressive Arts from the University of Southern Maine (2012) and BA in Anthropology and Art History from Montclair State University (2007). Ethridge studied abstract painting, life drawing and experimental drawing at Maine College of Art (2014-2019). Ethridge was ordained as a Soul Friend and Art Monastic through Inner Life Creations (2024), a modern Sanctuary and Wisdom School.

Ethridge’s work has been exhibited regionally in galleries such as: the George Marshall Store Gallery (York, ME), the University of New England (Biddeford, ME), the Parsonage (Searsport, ME), the Rochester Museum of Fine Arts (Rochester, NH), 3S (Portsmouth, NH), the Maine Art Gallery (Wiscasset, ME), the Center for Maine Contemporary Art (Rockland, ME), 82Parris (Portland, ME), Katzman Contemporary (Dover, NH), Blue Door Gallery (York, Maine), Harlow Gallery (Hallowell, ME), and Zero Station (Portland, ME). 

Ethridge works primarily in oil and mixed media collage. Her practice is influenced by a personal spirituality practice, myth, dreams, nature and motherhood. Ethridge’s work fuses life and art in her decade long study of art monasticism. Through contemplative art techniques such as Lectio Divina, Pantoum, and the embodiment of dream characters, Ethridge has found that art and prayer have much in common - both are rooted in an intense encounter involving a surrender of willfulness, openness to inspiration and lead to a deep engagement with mystery.

Connect with Alicia on Instagram @alicia.ethridge or Facebook @Alicia_Ethridge.

See "Nature of the Beast" at PMAC's Haas Family Gallery

Gallery Hours

• Monday: 12PM-5PM
• Tuesday – Thursday: By Appointment
• Friday: 12:30PM – 7PM
• Saturday: 9AM – 3:00PM
• Closed Sundays

Highly acclaimed classical guitarist John Muratore performs a free concert of classical music as part of the free Guitar Sundays series. This event is free and open to the public and audiences of all ages! No registration necessary. 

About John Muratore

John Muratore performs regularly as a solo recitalist, concerto soloist and chamber musician. As a solo artist he has appeared extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Russia. He has collaborated with numerous chamber ensembles in and around the Boston /New England area. The Boston Globe has described him as “a fleet-fingered” and has characterized his playing as…”unleashing many different varieties of tone and color in quick succession…a kind of aural iridescence.” His recording, Noël - A Classical Guitar Christmas, has been listed by CD Baby as one of the top-selling Holiday-Classical albums in 2012. Mr. Muratore has been on the faculty at Boston University, Dartmouth College and is coordinator of the guitar program at the All Newton Music School. johnmuratore.com

About Guitar Sundays

Guitar Sundays is a free, family-friendly monthly concert series that showcases a rich lineup of classical guitar talent. The 2024/25 season includes a Grammy Award-winner, internationally-recognized guitarists, and local New England artists.

This series is free and open to the public! The location alternates between PMAC and the library, so please see event listings for details. 

The program is co-presented by Portsmouth Music and Arts Center (PMAC) and Portsmouth Public Library, in association with the Boston Classical Guitar Society and curated by Mitch Shuldman.

Alicia Ethridge’s paintings in Nature of the Beast rove through a menagerie of animals inhabiting a range of landscapes from tranquil to lively. The work invites the viewer to consider these animals as watchers and observers. These paintings seek to bring the viewers closer to nature, and awaken the part of us that is nature itself. We all need to need to bear in mind that we are;

proud as a lion

clever as a fox

bold as a blue jay

wise as an owl

mysterious as a crow

free as horse

loyal as a wolf

resilient as a seal

devoted as a deer

Artist Bio

Alicia Sampson Ethridge (b. 1984, New Jersey) is an artist living in Coastal Maine and a founding member of Seven Artists Collective. She received her MSW in Expressive Arts from the University of Southern Maine (2012) and BA in Anthropology and Art History from Montclair State University (2007). Ethridge studied abstract painting, life drawing and experimental drawing at Maine College of Art (2014-2019). Ethridge was ordained as a Soul Friend and Art Monastic through Inner Life Creations (2024), a modern Sanctuary and Wisdom School.

Ethridge’s work has been exhibited regionally in galleries such as: the George Marshall Store Gallery (York, ME), the University of New England (Biddeford, ME), the Parsonage (Searsport, ME), the Rochester Museum of Fine Arts (Rochester, NH), 3S (Portsmouth, NH), the Maine Art Gallery (Wiscasset, ME), the Center for Maine Contemporary Art (Rockland, ME), 82Parris (Portland, ME), Katzman Contemporary (Dover, NH), Blue Door Gallery (York, Maine), Harlow Gallery (Hallowell, ME), and Zero Station (Portland, ME). 

Ethridge works primarily in oil and mixed media collage. Her practice is influenced by a personal spirituality practice, myth, dreams, nature and motherhood. Ethridge’s work fuses life and art in her decade long study of art monasticism. Through contemplative art techniques such as Lectio Divina, Pantoum, and the embodiment of dream characters, Ethridge has found that art and prayer have much in common - both are rooted in an intense encounter involving a surrender of willfulness, openness to inspiration and lead to a deep engagement with mystery.

Connect with Alicia on Instagram @alicia.ethridge or Facebook @Alicia_Ethridge.

See "Nature of the Beast" at PMAC's Haas Family Gallery

Gallery Hours

• Monday: 12PM-5PM
• Tuesday – Thursday: By Appointment
• Friday: 12:30PM – 7PM
• Saturday: 9AM – 3:00PM
• Closed Sundays

Acclaimed Armenian-American guitarist Gohar Vardanyan performs a free concert of classical music as part of the free Guitar Sundays series. This event is free and open to the public and audiences of all ages!

Artist Sponsor: The Augustine Foundation

About Gohar Vardanyan

Gohar Vardanyan began studying the guitar in her native Armenia at the age of five. She was the
first prize winner in the Armenian National Music Contest “Amadeus” and was accepted into the
prestigious group, “New Names,” for talented young musicians. She studied with Antigoni Goni at
the Pre-College Division of the Juilliard School. In 2001, Ms. Vardanyan studied with John
Wunsch at the Interlochen Arts Academy and was awarded the Young Artist’s Certificate from
Interlochen Center for the Arts and the Harold Randolph Prize in performance from the Peabody
Conservatory. Ms. Vardanyan holds a Master of Music Degree from The Juilliard School where
she studied with Sharon Isbin and a Bachelor of Music degree from the Peabody Conservatory of
Music where she studied with Manuel Barrueco. In addition to her performing career, Ms.
Vardanyan is an avid teacher. www.goharvardanyan.com

Guitar International Magazine has described Ms. Vardanyan as “the complete package,” “with a
musicality and emotional quality . . . that one would expect from someone much older. Not only is
she able to draw yoerfou into her prmances with engaging musical interpretations, but she has
the technical facility that is required of any concert-level guitarist.” Her playing has been
described as “passionate,” “evocative,” and “virtuosic.”

About Guitar Sundays

Guitar Sundays is a free, family-friendly monthly concert series that showcases a rich lineup of classical guitar talent. The 2024/25 season includes a Grammy Award-winner, internationally-recognized guitarists, and local New England artists.

This series is free and open to the public! The location alternates between PMAC and the library, so please see event listings for details. 

The program is co-presented by Portsmouth Music and Arts Center (PMAC) and Portsmouth Public Library, in association with the Boston Classical Guitar Society and curated by Mitch Shuldman.

All community members & ages are welcome to participate in a West End Master Series workshop with artist Alicia Ethridge, who will speak briefly about her exhibition "Nature of the Beast" and then facilitate the contemplative art practice Lectio Divina. 

Lectio Divina is a traditional, meditative form of prayer that began with early monastics and has developed over time to include spiritual and secular texts and imagery. The idea is to enter into the text or image and experience it in the imagination and allow communication to come through from the Divine, whatever that may be for you.

The artist will provide images but you are welcome to use your own inspiration. Participants are invited to find an image that evokes a strong feeling within you. Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite materials (art supplies, pen, journal, sketchbook). Participants will be encouraged to respond visually or by writing.

Artist Bio

Alicia Sampson Ethridge (b. 1984, New Jersey) is an artist living in Coastal Maine and a founding member of Seven Artists Collective. She received her MSW in Expressive Arts from the University of Southern Maine (2012) and BA in Anthropology and Art History from Montclair State University (2007). Ethridge studied abstract painting, life drawing and experimental drawing at Maine College of Art (2014-2019). Ethridge was ordained as a Soul Friend and Art Monastic through Inner Life Creations (2024), a modern Sanctuary and Wisdom School.

Ethridge’s work has been exhibited regionally in galleries such as: the George Marshall Store Gallery (York, ME), the University of New England (Biddeford, ME), the Parsonage (Searsport, ME), the Rochester Museum of Fine Arts (Rochester, NH), 3S (Portsmouth, NH), the Maine Art Gallery (Wiscasset, ME), the Center for Maine Contemporary Art (Rockland, ME), 82Parris (Portland, ME), Katzman Contemporary (Dover, NH), Blue Door Gallery (York, Maine), Harlow Gallery (Hallowell, ME), and Zero Station (Portland, ME). 

Ethridge works primarily in oil and mixed media collage. Her practice is influenced by a personal spirituality practice, myth, dreams, nature and motherhood. Ethridge’s work fuses life and art in her decade long study of art monasticism. Through contemplative art techniques such as Lectio Divina, Pantoum, and the embodiment of dream characters, Ethridge has found that art and prayer have much in common - both are rooted in an intense encounter involving a surrender of willfulness, openness to inspiration and lead to a deep engagement with mystery.

Connect with Alicia on Instagram @alicia.ethridge or Facebook @Alicia_Ethridge.

See "Nature of the Beast" at PMAC's Haas Family Gallery

Gallery Hours

• Monday: 12PM-5PM
• Tuesday – Thursday: By Appointment
• Friday: 12:30PM – 7PM
• Saturday: 9AM – 3:00PM
• Closed Sundays

Alicia Ethridge’s paintings in Nature of the Beast rove through a menagerie of animals inhabiting a range of landscapes from tranquil to lively. The work invites the viewer to consider these animals as watchers and observers. These paintings seek to bring the viewers closer to nature, and awaken the part of us that is nature itself. We all need to need to bear in mind that we are;

proud as a lion

clever as a fox

bold as a blue jay

wise as an owl

mysterious as a crow

free as horse

loyal as a wolf

resilient as a seal

devoted as a deer

Artist Bio

Alicia Sampson Ethridge (b. 1984, New Jersey) is an artist living in Coastal Maine and a founding member of Seven Artists Collective. She received her MSW in Expressive Arts from the University of Southern Maine (2012) and BA in Anthropology and Art History from Montclair State University (2007). Ethridge studied abstract painting, life drawing and experimental drawing at Maine College of Art (2014-2019). Ethridge was ordained as a Soul Friend and Art Monastic through Inner Life Creations (2024), a modern Sanctuary and Wisdom School.

Ethridge’s work has been exhibited regionally in galleries such as: the George Marshall Store Gallery (York, ME), the University of New England (Biddeford, ME), the Parsonage (Searsport, ME), the Rochester Museum of Fine Arts (Rochester, NH), 3S (Portsmouth, NH), the Maine Art Gallery (Wiscasset, ME), the Center for Maine Contemporary Art (Rockland, ME), 82Parris (Portland, ME), Katzman Contemporary (Dover, NH), Blue Door Gallery (York, Maine), Harlow Gallery (Hallowell, ME), and Zero Station (Portland, ME). 

Ethridge works primarily in oil and mixed media collage. Her practice is influenced by a personal spirituality practice, myth, dreams, nature and motherhood. Ethridge’s work fuses life and art in her decade long study of art monasticism. Through contemplative art techniques such as Lectio Divina, Pantoum, and the embodiment of dream characters, Ethridge has found that art and prayer have much in common - both are rooted in an intense encounter involving a surrender of willfulness, openness to inspiration and lead to a deep engagement with mystery.

Connect with Alicia on Instagram @alicia.ethridge or Facebook @Alicia_Ethridge.

See "Nature of the Beast" at PMAC's Haas Family Gallery

Gallery Hours

• Monday: 12PM-5PM
• Tuesday – Thursday: By Appointment
• Friday: 12:30PM – 7PM
• Saturday: 9AM – 3:00PM
• Closed Sundays

Portsmouth and Other Delights by artist Mike Jacobs is a vibrant exploration of nautical themes, the essence of Portsmouth, and the boundless creativity of music and art. Jacobs, a self-taught artist, brings his unique style to life using a menagerie of colored pencils, gel pens, and acrylic markers. His work is crafted on 4-ply black cotton boards and wood cradled panels gessoed black to provide a rich, dramatic backdrop.

Jacobs' artistic process blends both planned and spontaneous elements. He begins with a single line, allowing instinct to guide the creation of each piece as images leap out from his imagination. Says Jacobs, "Once a piece is hatched, it becomes. Until I conclude it's done."

Jacobs's visual heroes include 20th century art namesakes, but his work transcends conventional categories to convey an unmistakable unique style, which has been described as "urban, jazzy, non-drug induced psychedelic mayhem" and akin to the "French free figuration" (figuration libre) movement. However it is characterized, it is easily identifiable as Mike Jacobs.

Artist Bio

Born and raised in New York City, Mike started drawing in his early 20’s when he was offered a technical drawing pen that felt so right in his hand that the black inked line took on a life of its own. He tried on several occasions to take art classes but Mike's strong-willed belief in his approach didn’t make him the ideal student. He quickly dropped out and continued to create drawings that expressed his vision, eventually learning to paint in vibrant color.

Mike has exhibited in a number of shows, mostly in and around NYC. He recently returned from a stint as an artist-in-residence at the Galerie Plurielle in Sete, France, his representative in the EU.

Connect with Mike on Instagram @mikejacobsart.

See "Portsmouth and Other Delights" at PMAC's Haas Family Gallery

Gallery Hours

• Monday: 12PM-5PM
• Tuesday – Thursday: By Appointment
• Friday: 12:30PM – 7PM
• Saturday: 9AM – 3:00PM
• Closed Sundays

Grammy Award-winning classical guitarist Jason Vieaux performs a free, special Friday night concert as part of the Guitar Sundays series. This event is free and open to the public and audiences of all ages!

Note that this event takes place on a Friday evening and not a Sunday afternoon.

About Jason Vieaux

Grammy-winner Jason Vieaux, “among the elite of today’s classical guitarists” (Gramophone), is described by NPR as “perhaps the most precise and soulful classical guitarist of his generation”. Cited for his “eloquent and vibrant performances” on disc (Gramophone Magazine) Vieaux is hailed as “virtuosic, flamboyant, dashing and, sometimes ineffably lyrical” (New York Times) onstage. Jason Vieaux won the 2014 Best Instrumental Classical Solo Grammy Award for “Play”. The Huffington Post declared PLAY is “part of the revitalized interest in the classical guitar”.

Vieaux’s extensive discography includes his “Bach Volume 2: Works for Violin” released on Azica in 2022 to rave reviews for his “eloquent and vibrant performances” (Gramophone). Additional 2022 releases include “Shining Night” featuring his duo with acclaimed violinist Anne Akiko Meyers (Avie Records) and Michael Fine’s “Concierto del Luna” with flutist Alexa Still (Sony Classical), both enjoying strong critical acclaim. Vieaux recorded Pat Metheny’s “Four Paths of Light”, a solo work dedicated to him by Pat, for Metheny’s 2021 album “Road to the Sun”. 

In 2011 Vieaux co-founded the guitar department at the Curtis Institute of Music (with David Starobin). He has taught at the Cleveland Institute of Music for 25 years. Jason’s online Guitar School for Artistworks Inc. has hundreds of subscribers from all over the world.

https://jasonvieaux.com

About Guitar Sundays

Guitar Sundays is a free, family-friendly monthly concert series that showcases a rich lineup of classical guitar talent. The 2024/25 season includes a Grammy Award-winner, internationally-recognized guitarists, and local New England artists.

This series is free and open to the public! The location alternates between PMAC and the library, so please see event listings for details. 

The program is co-presented by Portsmouth Music and Arts Center (PMAC) and Portsmouth Public Library, in association with the Boston Classical Guitar Society and curated by Mitch Shuldman.