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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.

November Events

Kevin Talbot is a local photographer known for his amazing nature photographs. You usually find Kevin on ponds, in the woods, and across the mountains of New England. Kevin, along with his wife, Judy, and dog, Emma, has hiked the 48 Four-Thousand Footers in addition to many lesser hills and peaks over the past 30 years. In March of 2004, Kevin made his first winter visit as an overnight guest of the Mount Washington Observatory. Here he discovered that the observatory has a volunteer program, to which Kevin quickly applied. Spanning all four seasons, Kevin has now made many eight-day trips to the summit where he volunteers as a cook and housekeeper for the crew at the weather station.

On Sunday, November 9, Kevin will talk about his experiences as a volunteer on the mountain during his winter stays. As we listen to Kevin describe his duties and activities, we will experience, through the lens of his camera, a slideshow of images documenting his winter stay and the extremes of the mountain. In addition, Kevin will share the idiosyncrasies of photographing in sub-zero temperatures and 100 mph winds. Leave your hat and mittens at home, but please join us for a wonderful visual experience seen through the eyes of a master photographer.

This event is free and open to the public.

Good days come and go, as do days when we are sad or suffering unwanted challenges. Art surrounds us in many different ways and help the healing process: visually, through music, and when we look around at what the world offers. An exhibit titled “Surroundings” is a small way to demonstrate simple images from natural surroundings, beauty in small things, beauty in structures that once served a practical purpose, but that we admire today for the setting and architecture, even if the original function is lost.

The value of art is seeing and thinking and expressing in many different ways and forms. Photography is only one. The photographer’s “palette” is made up of the same critical features as a watercolorist or oil painter: light, direction, shadows and highlights, color or lack of color, focus, and some emotive feature that attracts and holds our eye.

I have been photographing seriously for most of my life and exhibiting in New York and New England in galleries, art associations, individual exhibits, even a California inn, for thirty years. I have presented about aspects of photography as art and historical topics illustrated with photographs.

Making art calls me back to the intense investment of Self in the wonderful tasks of child’s play. With Crayolas and newsprint one could escape a very confusing adult world. Frost called poetry a “momentary stay against confusion.” At least for me, making paintings produces the same effect. Momentarily I return to where crayoned masterpieces muffled the booming world of schedules, evening news and uncertainties. That’s why I paint.

My method is just to keep going with it. If LIFE gets in the way, the pursuit waits; it never dies. One class with a great teacher can bring you to a new place in your grasp of materials. Times change and my stockpile of supplies has grown to colored pencil work and alcohol for underpainting in pastel and stunning yarns for felting. My purpose (and my joy) is in learning new ways to create that “stay against confusion.” When viewers find spaces in my work to rest for a moment, to admire bits of color or the weave in a nest, I am happy. It’s really as simple as that. Have fun!

Theme Show
November 2025
Small Art, Big Ideas

“Sometimes,” said Pooh, “the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” – A.A. Milne. The holidays are on the way, and we want to offer the gift of affordable original art to anyone looking for that perfect personal gift to tell someone they love them. All art will be 11”x14” or smaller, including frame, and priced $100 or less.

Monthly theme shows are open to all artists – see our SAA 2025 Theme Show brochure (PDF), SAA 2026 Theme Show brochure (PDF), and entry form (PDF).

Second Friday Reception
November 9, 2025 5-7pm
Music by: Nice & Naughty

Nice & Naughty’s original music by Peg Chaffee and Cheryl Sager speaks to all aspects of everyday life, from whimsical to poignant, serious to silly. Accompanied by stand-up bass, guitar and pennywhistle, their exquisite harmonies are the highlight of their performance. Sometimes irreverent, but never rude. With their mix of cover songs they’re sure to appeal to all audiences!

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!