June 2025
President’s Notes
The Lakes Region Art Association (LRAA) owes a tremendous thank-you to the dedicated members who consistently step up to keep our organization thriving. From setting up exhibitions to maintaining our gallery space and organizing events, your efforts are the backbone of our success—and we are deeply grateful.
At the same time, we recognize that many members may want to get involved but simply haven't known how. If that’s you, you're not alone—and now is the perfect time to step in.
With over 60 members, LRAA has a strong and vibrant community. Yet, only a small group currently carries the weight of essential responsibilities, many of whom also serve on the Board. This places a growing strain on a few individuals and threatens the sustainability of the very programs we all value.
To ensure the future of LRAA remains bright, we must embrace a shared sense of ownership. That’s why, starting with future show registrations, members will be asked to select a role in support of each event—whether it's helping with setup or takedown, reception logistics, guest greeting, raffle support, or managing ballots. These are not burdens—they are opportunities to connect, contribute, and be part of something larger than any single artist.
Active participation strengthens our community, enhances your visibility, and honors the spirit that has defined LRAA since 1940. As we prepare for our 85th Annual Show this August, let’s reaffirm our collective commitment to the legacy we've inherited.
LRAA is not just a place to exhibit art—it’s a community built by artists, for artists. Whether you’ve been with us for years or just joined, your involvement matters. When we each give a little, we all gain so much more.
Let’s move forward together, continuing to build a dynamic, welcoming, and sustainable home for art in the Lakes Region.
L’Art pour l’art
Sherwood Frazier, President LRAA
Next Meet Up
June 18th at 9:30am
Country Cook’n at Lakeside
57 Lakeshore Road
Gilford, NH
Join Us for "Balderdash & Coffee"
This is an open invitation for all members of the Lakes Region Art Association (LRAA) to engage in fun conversation and sharing over coffee.
Come share ideas, ask questions, talk art (or anything else that interests you), and meet other creatives. Feel free to bring your spouse, friends, or anyone curious about the LRAA or the local art scene.
This is now a regular monthly event which will be held at different locations around the Lakes Region, on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. at 9:30 am. The location will be announced monthly, so be sure to check this newsletter or the website for the latest information.
Interested?
Just show up on Wednesday, May 21st, 9:30 am, at Wayfarer Coffee in Lakeport (next to the Laconia Daily Sun newspaper).
If anyone has a place in mind where we can do Balderdash & Coffee, speak up. Let's hear from the rest of you; we can check them out and see if they have the room for 12 to 15 people, and want to accommodate us.
Hope to see you there!
Sherwood
Lakes Region Art Association Photo Walk at Fuller Gardens - Interest Survey
We are excited to announce the possibility of a "Photo Walk" at Fuller Gardens in North Hampton, NH, this June. This event is designed to offer photographers and artists an opportunity to explore the stunning gardens, capture breathtaking images, and receive technical guidance on composition and exposure. While primarily focused on photography, we are also considering inviting artists who may wish to sketch scenes for later painting.
To help us plan and ensure a valuable experience for all participants, we ask that you take a few minutes to complete this brief survey. Your feedback will guide us in making this event a success. Tentatively planned for the last week in June.
Important Links and Registration Forms
85th Annual Members Exhibit
Register by July 20th
Art Drop off July 22nd
Reception: August 8th, 6pm
Pick up art: September 2nd to 5th
Remote Display Sign Up Forms
Meet a New Member of the LRAA Gallery
The Lakes Region Art Gallery welcomes a new artist to the gallery.
Jeremy Bonin
As a photographer and architect, Jeremy values the shared principles that produce compelling imagery and architecture. Regardless of the subject, his compositions are shaped by observing them from both the architect's and photographer’s perspectives on context and aesthetics. He believes the environment influences the image as much as the subject; therefore, researching both before picking up the camera is just as essential as crafting the image.
Jeremy is primarily a self-taught photographer who has captured architecture, landscapes, and wildlife for nearly 40 years. He believes that a photograph carries significance and has the power to inspire. He strives to preserve evocative moments, places, and subjects to showcase the astonishing beauty of our world.
Follow up on the Wolfeboro Public Library Exhibit
May 2025 was our turn to exhibit art in this wonderful location. Around thirty artworks in most every medium was on display. The library personnel repeatedly commented on the quality of the exhibit, it’s curation and how sad they were to see it come down at the end of the month.
We had a great turnout for setting this show up and again on the last day when the exhibit came down. I couldn’t believe we were able to dismantle the show, wrap all the art and get it packed back into the truck in a little over an hour.
Thanks to all that helped out. And thank you to the Wolfeboro Public Library for this opportunity to introduce the Lakes Region Art Association to your community. We will be back in October 2025.
Pick up Your Art Please!
We still have art stored in the back room of the gallery. If you are missing pieces, we may have them in Tilton. Please pick up your artwork before any damage occurs. We do the best we can to protect you art, but nothing about art storage is safe, secure or fool proof.
Calling All Gallery Members – Let's Get You Published!
Spring is just around the corner! Soon, the hum of alarm clocks won’t just be waking up sleepyheads—it’ll be waking up mosquitos and ticks, too! Lawns will need mowing, gardens will demand attention, and sun-soaked beach days will be calling your name.
But before you dive headfirst into the joys of the season, take a moment to shine! Now is the perfect time to gather your artwork and get it featured on the Lakes Region Art Gallery website. Once summer rolls in, you won’t want to tear yourself away from the warm breezes and sunshine to deal with submissions—so why not take action now?
And let’s be honest—once the snow melts, my RV will be itching to hit the road, and I’d love to get this done before I’m off chasing sunsets. Let’s make it happen together! Get your art in, get published, and step into spring with one more creative accomplishment under your belt!
Art Digitizing
Mike McQuade is making himself available to digitize your art again on July 8th. If you have artwork you would like a digital copy of, please email webmaster@lraanh.org to get on the list. If you are digitizing for the LRAA website, this service is free of charge. If you need high resolution images the price is $15.00 for the first shot and $10.00 for each additional shot in that session. High resolution files come to you full size at 300 pixels per inch and one image for social media.
New Business
June 2025
Adult Painting Group
Jodi Rajaneimi will be hosting a painting group twice a month in the Gallery for all Association Members, beginning this Thursday, June 12th. Feel free to bring a friend! 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 6-8. A wonderful opportunity to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow artists, and work together in a fun and supportive atmosphere!
Increasing Foot Traffic
On the subject of promoting the Gallery and increasing foot traffic and sales, it’s good to review our Mission Statement:
To enhance the ability of its members to create art and to further the appreciation of the arts in the greater Lakes Region area of New Hampshire by education, promotion, display, and sale of the visual fine arts.
Now in our 85th year, fulfilling that mission takes all of us- This is your chance to bring your skills, ideas, and energy to a committee that will truly make a difference in connecting the arts to our community.
If you’re passionate about outreach, public art, partnerships, or simply growing our visibility, we want to hear from you! We also want to hear from you if you feel the Association is not meeting your needs. What would you like to see happen? Our Board Meetings are always open to Members, and we want you to feel free to contact anyone on the Board with your observations.
Raffle!
We’re going to be having a raffle soon. All members are invited to donate a small piece of artwork to the raffle by June 29th- just leave it in the Gallery with your name on it. Could be a pack of cards, a print, small original- whatever you like. We’ll put a box in front of your item to collect tickets specifically for your item. The plan is to offer a free ticket just for coming into the Gallery and looking around. Additional tickets will be $5 each or 3 for $10. Also thinking of giving a free ticket for every $10 in purchases. Contact us with your thoughts and suggestions.
Unfinished Business / Worth Repeating
Scheduling:
Gallery Members should review their settings to be sure they are receiving all notifications from Homebase. In order to make the best use of the program, it is essential that all members get the notifications. We now have a new email address for Scheduling issues only: schedule@lraanh.org.
Planning Ahead for Stronger Events
To maximize attendance and energy at our ArtTalks, shows, and other events, we’re working on planning further in advance. Planning will commence in the fall for 2026. The earlier we can lock in details and promote them—through our newsletter, website, and social media—the better chance we have of drawing a great crowd and building excitement.
Being part of the Gallery means more than just showing your work—it means being an active part of the team that keeps things running smoothly and creatively. From event planning and setup to promotion and maintenance, it takes all of us working together to keep the Gallery vibrant and thriving.
We welcome your ideas and participation! Whether it’s suggesting a topic, hosting a talk, or lending a hand behind the scenes, your involvement truly matters.
Let’s keep growing together and making each event better than the last!
Back-Ups! Help Us Build a Stronger, More Resilient Team
This year, we’ve been working hard to create back-up support for every role within the Gallery. In many cases, that means breaking big jobs into smaller, manageable parts—so no one person carries the entire load. Still, we’ve noticed it’s often those already serving in one role who step up to be a back-up in another!
To make it easier for more members to get involved, we’re preparing clear job descriptions for each position. These will be available soon, and we hope they’ll help you see where your skills might fit in.
Most of the time, a back-up isn’t needed—but life happens. Vacations, illness, family emergencies… and if only one person knows how to do something—like paying artists or filing reports—the whole system can be left hanging.
Do you have experience or interest in helping behind the scenes? You might be the perfect person to step in as a back-up when needed.
📬 Interested? Click here to let us know you’re willing to help!
Your willingness to share a bit of your time and knowledge helps keep the Gallery strong, supported, and running smoothly for everyone.
Bar Codes Are Here—Hooray!
We’re now fully bar coded—a big step toward making sales tracking smoother and more accurate for everyone!
Here’s what you need to know:
🎨 Artists:
Please send your item information to our new email address: inventory@lraanh.org
Include your artist number, title of the piece, and whether it’s an original, print, card, etc.
Also, a quick text message to Gail will ensure your request doesn’t get overlooked.
You can also opt to have a single bar code for a category—like cards or a certain size of matted print—rather than labeling each piece individually.
More details at the register!
Showcasing Our Artists
We are making a sincere effort to showcase our Gallery Artists, their artwork, and special events. What would be really helpful is if you could periodically check our Facebook Page and share to your own pages to help build awareness of our wonderful gallery. Also, when you have new artwork, please send pictures and information about your work to both of the following so Wendy can promote it. We can work together to build awareness and as a result, get more customers to come in and see what we are all about. Send info to:
Wendy Oellers-Fulmer weoellers@gmail.com
For website listing: webmaster@lraanh.org
HELP WANTED!
The Board of Directors is looking for volunteer coordinators:
- LRAA Field Trips - If you are interested in coordinating a few trips a year to various exhibits, shows, and events, reach out to Sherwood or Gail.
Show Registrations:
Due to the added complexity and work associated with late registrations, we are now requiring that all art submissions and payments be made by the "Art Drop Off" date. We will no longer be able to accept late entries into exhibits. Art Drop Off dates are listed at the top of the registration forms. It is also important to register by the date listed on the forms.
Show Deadlines Are Important! Help Us Become Polished and Professional. To ensure our exhibits look their best, we print all wall tags in advance—so completing your registration on time is key. You’ll find registration forms and exhibit details linked in our newsletters and on the website.
Mark important dates on your calendar—with an alert a few days before the actual deadlines. Then, get in the habit of checking your calender each morning.
We’ve done our best to provide flexible windows for artwork drop-off and pick-up, but please help us by ensuring your work isn’t left at the Gallery for extended periods. Thanks for your cooperation —it’s what keeps our exhibitions running smoothly and looking great!
Attending the Artist Receptions is Important!
We’ve missed seeing many of our participating artists at recent receptions—and we’d truly love to change that! These gatherings are more than just events; they’re a chance to celebrate your work, meet art lovers who are excited to connect with the artists behind the pieces, and build friendships with fellow creatives.
Your presence helps create the welcoming, vibrant energy that makes our Gallery so special. Whether you're sharing stories, answering questions, or simply enjoying the company of kindred spirits, every moment adds value—not just to your own visibility, but to the whole community.
We know life gets busy, and we’re so grateful for the time and heart our volunteers give. Even small moments of involvement can make a big difference. Let’s grow this community together—one warm reception at a time.
Become a Contributing Editor:
Do you have something to say that belongs in the newsletters? Each month LRAA publishes two newsletters - one for our customers and another for our paid membership. If you have news or information you would like published in either or both newsletters, send that information to Gail Brunt. Items for the Member Newsletter must be submitted by the Tuesday following the Board Meeting (1st Wednesday of the month), by noon. Items for the Customer Newsletter should be submitted by the 24th of each month. Send your article to:
Gail: vicepresident@lraanh.org
Printed Wall Tags: Help Us Make It Happen!
We’re exploring ways to move from hand-written to professionally printed wall tags for all our exhibits. This will help give the Gallery a more polished and cohesive look—but no matter how we approach it, it’s a time-intensive task.
That’s where you come in!
We’re looking for both ideas and volunteers to help make this happen. If you have experience with design software, printing, organizing data—or just have some time and want to contribute—we’d love to hear from you.
Let’s work together to elevate our presentations and continue showcasing your work in the best light possible!