EXETER — The Seacoast Artist Association awarded Best in Show for the April Theme “Pure Poetry” to David Blomquist of Brentwood for his Digitally Manipulated Photograph and original poem titled “Lifetime.”
“I recently heard that a special friend in my life had passed,” says Blomquist.
“The news brought both shock and a host of other feelings because I had always assumed that I would see my friend again, but that would now never be.”
This realization made Blomquist pause to question the time we have, in essence to question one’s lifetime.
“The poem came first, and I wrote it as if I was having a conversation and questioning the entity, Lifetime,” he said.
The artwork came second, and it’s a compilation of three photographs taken over time in three different locations.
The People Choice Award, voted on by attendees of the SAA monthly Second Friday receptions, went to Peter Gumaskas of Goffstown for his photograph “Vermont Barn,” shown with Susan Cook’s poem “Winter Barn.”
“Susan, the poet, and I were together when we saw the barn in Vermont and were both very inspired by the scene,” says Peter.
“We were returning from a long weekend getaway, and it was a special weekend for us. She was inspired to write the poem after seeing the print of the barn. At that time, I was also heavily into Andrew Wyeth and was feeling very influenced by his work.”
Visit the gallery before April 27 to read these poems and see the rest of the show, along with new artwork.
The Seacoast Artist Association gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.
Next month’s themes are “Primavera: the Art of Spring” at the Town Hall; and “In Full Bloom” at the Water Street gallery.
Details at www.seacoastartist.org, on Facebook and on Instagram.