December 2025
President’s Notes
As the holiday season approaches, we are excited to share that Lynn and her events committee have already begun planning for our Gallery events in 2026, including the much-anticipated 86th Annual LRAA Members Display. We’re also thrilled to announce that “Art in the Community” will kick off its first show in January at the Belknap Mill in Laconia, there are several solo art shows in the works for the Gallery this coming year. We look forward to discovering even more individual artists showcases ahead!
Don’t forget for the Holidays, we have a couple of tables featuring items priced under $30—please bring in your pieces to contribute. This opportunity will run throughout the Holiday season. Additionally, our raffle is taking place until December 23rd, offering 5 tickets for $5 or 15 tickets for $10. With eight (8) or more items to choose from, we encourage you to promote this to our customers while you’re working in the Gallery. When greeting visitors to the Gallery, take a proactive approach. After they’ve had a moment to explore, engage them in conversation about the unique pieces displayed on the walls. Share your own artwork and remember, you are your best promoter! If they seem comfortable, introduce them to your fellow artists’ work. Also, let them know that prints of many featured pieces are available for purchase in the print bins. Lastly, guide them to our assorted cards, unique, hand made, with many being blank so they can write their own greetings.
Thank You to the Team Behind the Castle in the Clouds Display. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible team that brought the “Castle in the Clouds” display to life. The beauty of this exhibit is truly remarkable, and it deserves recognition.
Special thanks go to Pat for her leadership in keeping LRAA at the forefront with the Castle initiative, and to Lynn and her exceptional eye for layout. Also want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the volunteers that did the work: Chris, Jodi, Sue, Sally, Linda, Pam, Sann, and of course the members that contributed art. Your collective efforts have resulted in a truly satisfying display that enhances LRAA and our Gallery in the Lakes Region Community. Thank you all for your hard work!
Let’s make this holiday season a success together and let us not forget why we celebrate Christmas. Merry Christmas all!
L’art pour L’art,
Sherwood Frazier, President
Lakes Region Art Association
It’s Membership Renewal Time
2026 Membership Renewal Reminder
It’s that time of year again! LRAA’s membership year runs from January 1st until the end of December. Art participation and display opportunities abound for 2026. Don’t miss the numerous opportunities to display your art that will be coming up. In addition to our four, month-long gallery shows (including the Annual Show) we are scheduled to display art for the month of January at the Belknap Mill which is always a great opportunity to have your art seen and appreciated. (However, you do need to be a 2026 member to do so. January is coming up soon so, it you want to participate in the show at the Mill, please renew your membership as soon as possible.)
In addition, we have several other locations in the Lakes Region, including in Laconia and Wolfeboro for displaying art that members can sign up for, many of which don’t require registration fees. There are also opportunities for member Solo Shows at the gallery as well as the 0pportunity to hold art or photography classes. There are also Sip and Paint nights and free Kids art classes (great for grandkids as well). The opportunity to display your art on an ongoing basis in the Gallery panel is one of the benefits for “Participating” members and we have panels available. Please also keep in mind that a “Participating” membership is necessary in order to register/display at the LRAA Annual Show.
To renew your membership click https://www.lakesregionartgallery.org/membership to learn about the various membership levels and then complete the form using the Renew Membership button. Current contact and volunteer information is necessary, as information is incomplete for a number of our members. Once you have completed and submitted the form on line, you will need to go to the gallery to complete your renewal by paying the appropriate fee, or you can mail it to:
Lakes Region Art Gallery, Tanger Outlets, Suite 300, 120 Laconia Rd, Tilton, NH, 03276.
IMPORTANT: BEFORE GOING TO THE GALLERY TO PAY, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE MEMBERSHIP FORM ON-LINE, INCLUDING THE VOLUNTEER SECTION.
Artist of the Month - November 2025
LRAA members have the opportunity to enter a piece of artwork into the Artist of the Month Program at each monthly Member Meeting. Winners are able to display and sell a single work for a month in various public venues throughout the Lakes Region in participating Banks and Libraries or Local Businesses.
The art pieces for the Honorable Mention artist will be on display through the third week in November in the following locations:
Sherwood Frazier - Laconia Public Library
Sally Hibberd - Camden Bank, Meredith
Gail Brunt - Franklin Savings Bank, Gilford
Jim Cryan - Camden Bank, Tilton
These Winning Artists' artwork will be on display in locations in the Lakes Region through the third week of May.
Jodi Rajaniemi, this month’s First Place winner has the distinct honor of displaying several pieces of his artwork at Annie’s Cafe & Catering in Laconia NH. Warm up with some scrumptious homemade soup and sandwiches and enjoy the art while you eat!
November Artists of the Month
Left to Right
Left to Right: Sally Hibberd, Jim Cryan, Gail Brunt, Jodi Rajaniemi and Sherwood Frazier
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 the appropriate day and join the fun.
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
December 17th at 9:30 AM
The Flip Side Restaurant
566 Main Street | Laconia NH
January 21st at 9:30 AM
The Flip Side Restaurant
566 Main Street | Laconia NH
February 17th at 9:30 AM
Location to be Determined
January 2026 Remote Exhibit
The Lakes Region Art Association has been invited to do a month long exhibit in the historic Belknap Mill’s Riverside Gallery through the month of January 2026. This exhibit hall is used by several area associations and is open to the general public several times per week. It is a great display space which was recently revamped.
This is short notice for an exhibit. Registration in online only and must be done no later than December 28th at 6PM. All art must be dropped off at the LRAA Gallery no later than December 18th at 6pm.
Exhibit information is available at the top of the Registration Form. Mike & Stephanie McQuade have held the January spot for the last two years and each year sold several pieces.
Riverside Gallery
Our 2026 Association Exhibits
February 19
Art in the Garden: Carved & Cultivated
May 7th
2026 Kid’s Show
July 30
86th Annual Members Exhibit
September 17
Birches & Boats
We also have artists requesting Solo-Shows in 2026. As we firm those dates up we will announce them in our newsletter and post them on the Coming Events page of the Lakes Region Art Gallery website.
Are You Ready for a SOLO SHOW?
Members have the exciting opportunity to showcase their work through a solo exhibition at the Gallery. Solo shows run for two full weeks, from Thursday through Sunday across two consecutive weekends—maximizing your artwork’s exposure and giving visitors plenty of time to engage with your creations. To explore fees, guidelines, and available scheduling, please reach out to the Board of Directors.
Please note, a participation fee applies, and the Lakes Region Art Association reserves the right to decline proposals that do not meet our artist guidelines. We strongly encourage you to review these guidelines carefully to ensure your work is a perfect fit for our vibrant gallery community. Take advantage of this unique platform to share your artistic vision with an engaged and appreciative audience!
December 2025
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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."
Do 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.
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To maximize attendance and energy at our ArtTalks, shows, and other events, we’re working on planning further in advance. Plans have been made 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 Association 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- and the Association- 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 make each event better than the last!
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Our first off-site show will be at the Belknap Mill in the Riverside Gallery for the month of January. Look for the registration on the website, in the Current Events section.
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I wanted to share an update regarding our class rate structure, recently approved by the Board of Directors. Beginning January 1st 2026, there will be an increase in the fee for classes held in the gallery. This adjustment reflects the full use of the space, including setup and cleanup time.
Going forward, the fee will cover a total of three (3) hours — two (2) hours for class time and one (1) hour for setup and cleanup. Classes held consecutively will be charged separately.
Here is the new rate structure:
• $10.00 per class for members currently hanging art in the gallery
• $15.00 per class for members not currently hanging in the gallery
We truly appreciate your continued contributions to our creative community. This adjustment will help us maintain and improve the quality of the gallery space and programming for all.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Thank you again for all you do — we’re looking forward to many more successful classes ahead!
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Urgently Needed Right Away:
Someone to manage off-site venues. Contact Sherwood or Gail for more details if you think you can help.
📬 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.
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We are now requiring that all art submissions and payments be made by the "Art Drop Off" date, which are listed at the top of the registration forms. It is also important to register by the date listed on the forms.
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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 calendar 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!
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We try to be accommodating with pick up times, and have created a safe space in the back for your artwork. Please remember to pick up as soon as possible! We currently have Birches and Boats, the Wolfeboro Library and Granite VNA artworks crowding that space!
Important Links and Registration Forms
Remote Display Sign Up Forms
Why Every LRAA Member Should Claim Their Personal Gallery Page
Promote your artwork year-round on a platform averaging 454 visits per month and over 11,000 page views this year.
Build long-term name recognition—your page becomes a stable, searchable presence for collectors, students, and community partners.
Strengthen your professional image with a curated selection of your work and a personal artist statement.
Enjoy free professional headshots courtesy of Linda Murphy, exclusively for member gallery pages.
Simple submission process with clear instructions and an easy-to-use online form—no technical skills required.
Maximize your membership by showcasing your talent to the wider Lakes Region arts community and beyond.
Stop Putting it off!
