January’s Featured Artist Spotlight: “Then and Now” Historical Photos

As part of our Featured Artist program in partnership with the Leach Library, we are proudly hosting the Londonderry Historical Society’s display of images of historical sites in town. Titled “Then and Now,” this exhibit is visible on easels set up in front of the large windows along the perimeter of the large reading room. Thank you to the Historical Society and Sandy Dahlfred for curating this exhibit, which may be of special interest to lifelong Londonderry residents and fans of our beautiful local architecture.

Showcasing Our COMMUNITY’s History

Gray Goose Gift Shop, now Daycare Center on Young Rd (built 1890s, photographed 1980)

Have you ever wondered what our old buildings looked like in the past? Step into a time capsule and check out photos of town treasures like the Grange #44, Mack Barn, Morrison House, Coach Stop, and Mayflower Grange. Can you guess which of these buildings is the oldest? Hint: it’s an 18th-century farmhouse that is now a historical museum.

The Londonderry Historical Society has an extensive collection of old photographs, many of which have been published in books such as Images of America: Londonderry. The collection on display at the Leach Library through the end of January includes nine images of historic sites in town. All of them were taken in the twentieth century, and all of the buildings still stand today. Inset within each image is a picture of the building as it appears in 2023. 

The Historical Society hopes that these images will strike a note of familiarity with viewers and instill a sense of pride in our special places and a commitment to preserving them.

Apply to Display Your Work

The Londonderry Arts Council has recently revamped their application process and guidelines for the Featured Artist program. If you’re interested in displaying your work at the Leach Library, please view these details and apply here. To date, we have hosted painters, illustrators, photographers, writers, jewelry makers, and others, and are open to all mediums.

November’s Featured Artist Spotlight: Pamela Wichelns’ Landscapes and Creatures

This month, we are delighted to host a display of oil paintings by Londonderry’s own Pamela Wichelns at the Leach Library. In this set of lovingly framed original works, explore Pam’s perspective on the beauty and wonder of nature. Pam’s use of colors and gentle portrayals of creatures and landscapes great and small brighten the cold and dark nights of New Hampshire’s winter. 

Check out Pam’s works on easels along the perimeter of the library anytime during open hours.

Pamela Wichelns’ exhibit at the Leach Library runs November 1-30, 2023

A Local Multi-Talented Artist

Pam is a talented artist from Londonderry. A lifelong resident, she has often looked for inspiration within the area farms and orchards. Her love of surroundings and animals shows through her work. She began honing her skills at a young age and has spent her life engaging with the local artist community to grow and develop her skills further. At a young age, she received accolades and awards and developed a lifelong passion for painting. In addition to painting, Pam is also a talented jewelry designer and cake decorator and enjoys spending time with family and friends looking for new inspiration.

by Pamela Wichelns

Apply to Display Your Work

The Londonderry Arts Council invites local artists to display their work for a month at the Leach Library. We currently have openings for most months in 2024. Check out more information here and apply here. To date, we have hosted painters, illustrators, photographers, writers, jewelry makers, and others, and are open to all mediums.

by Pamela Wichelns

October’s Featured Artist Spotlight: Craig O’Neill’s Whimsical Scenes of Memory

Stop into the Leach Library this month to view Craig O’Neill’s large bright oil paintings depicting his dreamy artistic vision that honors and prolongs memory. We are delighted to showcase nine of his original works throughout the library. Stop in anytime during the library’s open hours to check them out for yourself.

“Garden Party” by Craig O’Neill

A Well-Established Artistic Practice

Craig has been painting since he was 8 years old. Originally from New York City, he studied at the Pratt Institute and the Art Students League, and an arts high school. In Boston, he studied with Pamela Sienna, Paul Rahilly at Mass Art and David Andrus. His first love is oil painting and also works in pastel, watercolor and pen and ink. His main subjects are portraits, figures, landscapes and interiors. He paints mainly in a realistic manner with a good deal of movement in his compositions which often tell a story. He has shown at Cutter Gallery, the Stove Factory Gallery in Charlestown, Cambridge Adult Education Center, and various libraries.

“Reggie Ascending” by Craig O’Neill

Prolonging Memory Through Art

Craig gave us a glimpse into his artistic practice:

I love to paint in oils and try to start at least two paintings a week both in the studio and outdoors. I paint portraits, figures, landscapes and interiors. My theme is “multiple realities.” which can include family members who have passed away. Recently, I have been including family members and pets who passed away in some of my paintings in a series of “Visitations”. It is a great opportunity to prolong the memory of those we have cared about and who have been part of our lives. My paintings tend to be realistic with some elements of abstraction due to a lot of movement in them. I use a lot of bright colors. Although I tend to paint very quickly I sometimes let the painting stand for several days and let it tell me what else needs to be done. I also like to have views of interiors and exteriors in the same painting. Some influences include Sorolla, George Bellows, Jane Freilicher, Sargent, some impressionists and expressionists. There is a huge treasury of images that inspires me as well as what I see around me.

If you’d like to get in touch with Craig, send us a note using the contact form below and we’ll route your inquiry. And be sure to stop into the Leach Library to view his work through October 31!

“Let there be light!” by Craig O’Neill

Display Your Work

The Arts Council invites local artists to display their work for a month at the Leach Library. We are currently revamping our application process, so if you are interested in displaying, please submit an inquiry using the contact form at the bottom of this page. To date, we have hosted painters, illustrators, photographers, writers, jewelry makers, and others, and are open to all mediums. We are accepting submissions for all months in 2024 except March and October.

“Yellow Roses” by Craig O’Neill