Since it was introduced in September 2023, Art at French has enriched the Manchester, New Hampshire, community with numerous art exhibitions, workshops, and classes.
Art at French provides new and seasoned artists and art students with valuable opportunities to explore different mediums, enhance their skills, enjoy exhibitions by local artists. The program fosters a vibrant and inclusive cultural environment.
Art at French exhibitions showcase diverse works from talented local and regional artists.
All exhibitions are free and open to the public at French Hall, 148 Concord Street, in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Exhibition Dates: Tuesday, April 8–Thursday, May 8
Opening Reception: Thursday, April 10, from 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Winged by Cindy Rizza, oil on linen
This group exhibition highlights the work of over 20 artists whose creativity and practice have shaped and inspired a new generation of makers in New Hampshire and beyond. Just as the field of art is vast, so too are the ways in which artists spark inspiration—whether through teaching, hosting community events, leading workshops, participating in organizations, fostering shared studio spaces, or offering mentorship. The artists featured here have been a source of inspiration and influence.
Whether you want to enhance your artistic skills or explore new mediums, our workshops and classes provide something for everyone.
The Saturday Morning Art Program (SMAP) is a free enrichment program in the visual arts for high school students ages 15–18. Students will meet on Saturday mornings for two and a half hours of instruction by Institute of Art and Design faculty in a wide range of exciting mediums.
Students who complete 12 SMAP sessions in a year will be eligible for four college credits and a scholarship of up to $2,000 at New England College.
SMAP will return in spring 2025.
To enroll in SMAP, please email James Chase at artatfrench@nec.edu.
Learn about the Pre-College summer art program in Henniker for students 14–18.
Arts Build Community (ABC) and the civic crowdfunding platform Patronicity have launched a mural campaign, Community Canvas, to bring more public art to the City of Manchester’s downtown, neighborhoods, and parks in 2024.
This second biannual art week in Manchester will take place August 8–18, 2024, with new large-scale murals, art installations, immersive experiences, tours, and events. Community Canvas Mural is a creative movement organized by Arts Build Community and a committee of passionate members from the local nonprofit, business, creative, and collegiate communities.
French Hall will serve as the headquarters during the festival for Community Gather events (artist talks, community art projects, free community art workshops), ABC headquarters during the program, and a block party.
Call for Walls: The project is looking for outdoor walls in Manchester, New Hampshire, (also accepting walls in the Concord and Nashua areas) with high profile, high visibility, and little or no obstructions (windows/doors, poles, or other signage). Submit your wall.
Call for Volunteers: The project seeks volunteers to join the events team to run our accessible, fun, and unique festival event. Become a volunteer.
Call for Sponsors: Review the sponsorship opportunities or email James Chase at artatfrench@nec.edu.
In the early 1900s as Manchester became an industrial powerhouse, one element was missing: an institution where residents of Manchester could further their education and exposure to the wider world, a world that included painting, sculpture, music, botany, ornithology, and numerous other subjects.
This was the inspired vision of Emma Blood French: to bring culture to Manchester through direct instruction and lectures in the fine arts, music, literature, and the sciences. She underwrote and built a permanent educational institution in the center of the city, The Manchester Institute of Arts and Sciences, and upon the building’s completion in 1916, gifted it to the organization and its members for the betterment of the community.
