HISTORY

Governor Wentworth Arts Council
1968-2013

Composed by former Governor Wentworth Arts Council President, Nancy Lane Piper

1968

March: Governor Wentworth Arts Council early formation by Wilfred E. Paro, then Headmaster of Brewster Academy, in “...an effort to promote and stimulate the arts in the southern Carroll County area.”

July 15-16: Governor Wentworth Art Festival on Brewster Field organized by Lewis and Barbara “Willy” Fromm, Marion Quimby, Priscilla Hodges, and Wes Warren. 45 exhibitors.

1970

July 18: 3rd Annual Arts Festival on Brewster Field with 100 exhibitors.

1971

August 28: “Annual Art and Music Fest” at Allen A Resort draws 20 exhibitors and 12 performers.

1976-78

Inaugural Governor Wentworth Arts Council art exhibits in Wolfeboro Town Hall organized by Jean Puff, Betty O'Connell, David and Suzette Winchester, Jerry Hoover, Debbie Hopkins, Sarah Lucas, and Sarah Copplestone.

1979

Inaugural Artists in the Park with the Wolfeboro Arts and Crafts Association on Brewster Field. Organized by Debbie Hopkins, Elissa Paquette, Charlene Lehto Peg, Dennis Comeau, Barbara McGloin, Ted White, and Jean Puff.

Inaugural Governor Wentworth Arts Council art display at the Wolfeboro Public Library.

1980

August 23: Artists in the Park on Brewster Field in partnership with the Wolfeboro Arts and Crafts Association.

1981

Inaugural Artists in the Park held in Cate Park.

1982

Governor Wentworth Arts Council hosts a puppet performance by Two-Headed Cow titled “Duffy and the Devil.”

Inaugural Christmas Fair and Silver Tea, a combination of children's entertainment, ornament workshops, and art and craft sales.

1983

Notecard fundraiser with participation from six Governor Wentworth Arts Council member artists.

February: Governor Wentworth Arts Council sponsored the Village Players production of “Don Juan in Hell” at Brewster Academy.

1984

Community Arts Directories are given to schools, a directory of galleries, museums, and local residents willing to volunteer their time and share their arts-related skills in the classrooms. This eventually becomes arts funding given directly to district schools.

1985

Governor Wentworth Arts Council receives 501 C-3 tax-exempt status.

$950 given to purchase Kingswood Regional High School stage curtains and dance floor.

Governor Wentworth Arts Council sponsors Music in Schools performances "Stage Fright: Stories of the Macabre" in January and "The Children's Hour" by Lillian Hellman in February.

John Struble presents "Piano Masterpieces” at the Wolfeboro Public Library.

Monthly oversight of art exhibits at the Wolfeboro Public Library begins.

SEPTEMBER 1986 - AUGUST 1987

First arts program funding directly to schools: Carpenter Elementary School for American History through dance ($105) and Koala pad, a computer visual aid ($150). To Ossipee Central School for author Bruce McMillan ($200). To Tuftonboro Central School for Lionwitch Puppet Theater ($200). To New Durham Elementary School for dancer Suzanne Hayles ($200). To Kingswood Regional High School for Boston Symphony Orchestra field trip ($200) and an art class field trip to a gallery in Meredith, NH ($45).

March Performance Series: "Peter Pan" by Starbird Puppet Theatre, blues musician TJ Wheeler, juggler Andrew Schwartz, and storyteller Odds Bodkin.

May: “Hayden Concert” by the Lakes Region Symphony and Clearlakes Chorale with 634 tickets sold.

July: “Maynard Moose" storytelling and puppetry by Willy Claflin in Cate Park.

SEPTEMBER 1987 - AUGUST 1988

Carpenter Elementary School: Tim Jennings storyteller ($200) and New England Touring Theater ($190). Ossipee Central School: Kitchen Sink Mime ($200). New Durham Elementary School: Len Cabral storyteller ($300). KRMS: Kitchen Sink Mime ($400). KRHS Field trip to Boston Museum of Fine Arts Wyeth exhibit ($200), drama field trip ($250), SYMS scholarship ($200).

March performance Series: folktales by Cranberry Puppets, folk music by Purly Gates, magician BJ Hickman, and mime Michael Zerphy.

November 22: Christmas Fair and Silver Tea

December 20: "Nutcracker" by the Connecticut Ballet Theatre sold out, 600 tickets.

January: “Can I Speak for You, Brother" by Philip Walker, a drama about Black Americans.

SEPTEMBER 1988 - AUGUST 1989

Carpenter Elementary School: potter Dwight Graves ($500) and Summer Theater Scholarship ($200). Ossipee Central School: New England Touring Theater ($400). Tuftonboro Central School: Starbird Puppet Theater ($147). New Durham Elementary School: sculptor Emile Birch residency ($300). KRHS: sound system ($510) and 3 Music in the Schools performances ($90).

March performance series: ragtime and American composers by John Struble, storytelling and music by Carolyn Parrott, juggler Andrew Schwartz, and "Peter and the Wolf" by Petit Papillon Ballet.

Rural Arts Residencies, serving all schools and the Clipper Home: “Lost Nation Review” by Deborah Stuart, Art of Black Dance and Music, and Mimi Whitepoet.

August: Tom Rush concert held in Gilford since KRHS was not available.

October 30: "Snow White" by the Boston Ballet.

SEPTEMBER 1989 - AUGUST 1990

Started giving money to Governor Wentworth District Libriaries.

Carpenter Elementary School: fabric artist Kim Wintje ($400). Ossipee Central School: puppet residency ($450). Tuftonboro Central School $300. New Durham Elementary School: Architect Bruce Brooks residency ($300). KRMS: "Peter and the Wolf" at the North Shore Music Festival ($400). KRHS: MFA Monet exhibit ($600) and Summer Youth Music School Scholarship ($200).

December: “Nutcracker” by Ballet New England sold 439 tickets.

April: Carnival of the Animals, a collaboration among all schools' music and art programs, Sandy Martin, John Struble, and the Lakes Region Symphony. A children's concert a la Leonard Bernstein had large corporate sponsors and sold 592 tickets.

SEPTEMBER 1990 - AUGUST 1991

Priscilla Hodges Scholarship founded.

Carpenter Elementary School: Alice in Wonderland ($550). Ossipee Central School: NH Theater Project, Kitchen Sink Mime ($475). Tuftonboro Central School ($300). New Durham Elementary School: author Philip Walker ($300). KRMS Laser and KRHS: Laser/Music Theatrics ($420) and black stage curtains.

Art in the Libraries ($400).

SEPTEMBER 1991 - AUGUST 1992

Carpenter Elementary School: MFA field trip ($160) and potter Dwight Graves ($275). Ossipee Central School: Portland Symphony Chamber Music ($500). Tuftonboro Central School: New England Touring Theater ($300). New Durham Elementary School: Ha'Penny Theater ($300). KRMS: fabric artist Kim Wintje residency ($400). KRHS: Merry Wives of Winsor field trip ($650).

Art in the Libraries ($400).

August: rock concert featuring “Black Letter” and “KITE” in Cate Park.

SEPTEMBER 1992 - AUGUST 1993

Carpenter Elementary School: Marianne Taylor Dance residency ($300). OssipeeCentral School: Odds Bodkin storyteller ($500). Tuftonboro Central School: Starbird Puppet Theater ($300). KRMS: Hackmatack Touring Theater ($400). KRHS: Plymouth State College Jazz band ($700).

Art in the Libraries ($400).

August: Artists in the Park sponsored by Governor Wentworth Arts Council.

December: “The Christmas Carol” Icefire Performance Group from Vermont.

SEPTEMBER 1993 - AUGUST 1994

Carpenter Elementary School: Sally Perkins residency and Steve Schuch storyteller ($600). Ossipee Central School: Paula Locke singer storyteller ($500). Tuftonboro Central School: African Folk Tales by Theatreworks ($300). New Durham Elementary School: Steven Mooser author ($300). KRMS: Jazz band- Straight No Chaser ($400). KRHS $700. Music in the Schools donation of $600 to NH Music Festival.

Art in the Libraries ($400).

SEPTEMBER 1994 - AUGUST 1995

Inaugural First Night Wolfeboro on December 31.

Carpenter: Sally Perkins and Bill Rogers residencies ($600). OCS: Kevin Hawkes author ($500). TCS: "Little Prince" by Theaterworks ($300). ND: Civil Rights music movement ($300). KRMS: $400. KRHS: musician Purly Gates ($700).

Art in the Libraries ($400).

Donation to the NH Symphony ($50).

SEPTEMBER 1995 - AUGUST 1996

September: Artists in their Studios Tour

Carpenter: Sally Perkins wheel-thrown pottery ($400) and a field trip to Boston MFA for grade 6 prior to overnight at Museum of Science ($200). OCS: writer and illustrator Jerry Pallotta bookmaking ($500). TCS: Theatreworks grades 4-6 "Treasure Island" ($200). ND: Art of Black Dance and Music ($200). KRMS: Diane Postoran performer and Paul Kolesnikow stories set to music ($400).

Art in the Libraries ($400).

SEPTEMBER 1996 - AUGUST 1997

September: Artists in their Studio Tour

Carpenter: Sally Cornwell potter ($600). OCS: Mary Lyn Ray writer-illustrator ($500). TCS: Gary Rosen singer-songwriter ($200). ND: Randy Armstrong music of different cultures ($200). KRMS: Leslie Smith Theatre of Life Puppets ($500).

Art in the Libraries ($400).

SEPTEMBER 1997 - AUGUST 1998

Carpenter Elementary (now grades K-3): Ha'Penny Theatre "Mr. Bear and Co." interactive stories on endangered species ($300). Crescent Lake Elementary (grades 4-6): Memory clay tile project ($300). TCS: Theatreworks "Charlotte’s Web" grades K-3 at Kingswood Regional High School ($200). OCS: June Cowan Fletcher author ($500). ND: funds to attend "Charlotte Web" ($200). KRHS: Honor students (American Studies) trip to Boston MFA, the culmination of students' study of history and art ($200) and "Sonabo" Latin American ensemble during foreign language week ($600).

Art in the Libraries ($400).

SEPTEMBER 1998 - AUGUST 1999

Carpenter: Martha Dana puppeteer large puppets/folklore ($300). Crescent Lake: Dudley Laufman fiddle player/dance, on May 14 Early American dance workshop all 5th grades, June 11 dance demonstration core 5th-grade group celebrate Americas Living History Museum ($300). ND: Pontine Movement Theatre- production from"oral histories" from our elders including interviews, improvisational techniques, inter-generational artwork ($200). TCS: Theatreworks production of "Oliver Twist" at Kingswood Regional High School ($195). OCS: Barbara McGrath- author on the writing process ($500). KRMS: Leslie Smith and the Theatre of Life Puppets conflict resolution theme ($500). KRHS: French and Art students to Boston MFA to see Monet exhibit ($750).

Art in the Libraries ($400).

SEPTEMBER 1999 - AUGUST 2000

Governor Wentworth Arts Council commissions bronze statue "Sharing" by Derek Wernher of Metamora, Michigan, to go into Cate Park.

New Durham Elementary School: Potter Dwight Graves residency 9/21-10/26 ($200).

SEPTEMBER 2000 - AUGUST 2001

Governor Wentworth Arts Council fundraises for Cate Park sculpture commission ($25,000).

ND: Sarah Haskell weaver residency ($200). TCS: a trip to Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord for “Come Back Amelia Bedelia” ($200).

KRMS: Jackson Gilman performances ($500).

Art in the Libraries ($400).

SEPTEMBER 2001 - AUGUST 2002

TCS: Theatreworks production “King Tut” ($200). ND: Theatreworks production “King Tut” ($200). OCS: Theatre residency “Children’s Stage Adventures” ($500). Carpenter: Perry Alley Puppet theatre ($300). Crescent Lake: 5th Grade Curriculum Night ($300).

Art in the Libraries ($400).

SEPTEMBER 2002 - AUGUST 2003

Commissioned sculpture “Sharing” by Derek Werner dedicated.

Crescent Lake: Dudley Laufman- Authentic American Dance ($300). TCS: Portland Symphony Orchestra performance ($200) ND: Opera “Hansel and Gretel” ($100). KRMS Steve Schuch performance ($300). KRHS: Steve Schuch performance for World Cultures Celebration ($500).

Art in the Libraries ($400).

SEPTEMBER 2003 - AUGUST 2004

OCS: Theatre Residency Children’s Stage Adventures ($400). ND: Theatreworks production “Summer of the Swans” ($200). TCS: TIGER theatre presentation ($200). Carpenter: Hampstead Players “Pinocchio” ($300). Crescent Lake: Living History Museum, Dudley Laufman, Seth Austin, Remick Museum ($300). KRMS: Blues Guitarist Chic Street Band with Kingswood High School (Governor Wentworth Arts Council $1300 along with Friends of Music contribution).

Art in the Libraries $400

SEPTEMBER 2004 - AUGUST 2005

Effingham Elementary School: “Kids on the Block” puppets ($145). Crescent Lake: 5th grade Early America Festival ($300). ND: storytelling and puppetry Michael Zerphy and Michael Stasiuk ($200). KRMS: “Double Vision” performing duo ($500). KRHS: Bill Gibson “Rhapsody for Piano and Jazz Band” Musical composition commission for John Stuble in collaboration with high school jazz band for eventual school/community performance with video/film production ($800).

Art in the Libraries ($400).

SEPTEMBER 2005 - AUGUST 2006

Throughout 2006: Videotaped interviews with local artists and craftsmen and gave copies to local libraries. Project by Debbie Hopkins and Joe Bradley.

ND: Theatreworks production “Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe” ($200). TCS: TIGER performance ($200). Crescent Lake: American dance Dudley Laufman ($300). Effingham: author Marie Harris ($200). KRMS: Moose Mountain Jazz Band ($500).

Art in the Libraries ($400).

SEPTEMBER 2006 - AUGUST 2007

KRHS: World Cultural Festival activities ($900). Carpenter: author/illustrator Jane Cowen Fletcher ($300). Crescent Lake: Dudley Laufman and early American dance ($300). TCS: Donna Marie ventriloquist/puppeteer ($200). ND: residency with Randy Armstrong Uno Mondo Productions ($200).

Art in the Libraries ($1,000).

SEPTEMBER 2007 - AUGUST 2008

KRHS: World Language Spring Festival ($700) and Theatre Program support ($200). KRMS: a field trip to Peabody Essex Museum ($500). Crescent Lake: Dudley Laufman ($300). Effingham: Wayne from Maine music performance ($200). ND: Rebecca Rule residency author/humorist ($200). Carpenter: Marty Kelley author ($300) TCS: TIGER performance ($200).

Art in the Libraries ($1000).

SEPTEMBER 2008 - AUGUST 2009

2008-2009 Governor Wentworth Arts Council 18-month color calendar fundraiser featuring member's artwork.

KRHS $900, Carpenter $300, Crescent Lake $300, OCS $300, KRMS Ghanian Symbolism thru the Arts with Martha Christensen ($500), Effingham School $200, ND $200.

Art in the Libraries ($750).

SEPTEMBER 2009 - AUGUST 2010

Kingswood Regional High School "Visual Arts Scholarship" founded in 2010.

TAG "The Artists Group" formed to promote art exhibits, sales, and demonstrations.

Arts funding to schools ($,1850).

Art in Libraries ($750).

SEPTEMBER 2010 - AUGUST 2011

September: Inaugural “Paint the Town” plein air painting event.

Governor Wentworth Arts Council gets a website in late 2010 with a matching grant ($3,000) from Meredith Village Savings Bank.

KRHS: Arts Center support and scholarships ($850). KRMS: Randy Armstrong Uno Mondo production world music ($400). ND: Sally Davis and Michael Stasiuk residency drama and art ($200). TCS: author Marty Kelley ($200). Crescent Lake: Pioneer days celebration ($250). Effingham: Children's Stage Adventure “Midsummer's Night Dream” ($100).

Art in the Libraries ($600).

SEPTEMBER 2011 - AUGUST 2012

KRHS: “Inca Son” performance world language week ($850). KRMS: a trip to Peabody Essex Museum ($400). Crescent Lake: Dudley Laufman American Dance ($300). TCS: TIGER theatre presentation ($200). Effingham: Ted Scheu author/poet ($100).

Art in the Libraries $600.

SEPTEMBER 2012 - AUGUST 2013

KRHS: assistance for hosting the NH Educational Theatre project ($850). KRMS: Russian Nesting Doll painting ($400). OCS: TIGER theatre project on bullying ($300). Crescent Lake: Dudley Laufman American dance ($300). Effingham: Winnipesaukee Playhouse theatre workshop ($100). TCS: assistance with trips to plays at the Concord Capitol Theater and Rochester Opera House ($200). ND: school and community theatre production ($200).

Art in the Libraries ($600).