Hsiu Norcott, a well established artist from Hollis whose early art education and continued studies have refined a high level of artistic skill, displays two of her ArtHub exhibit paintings. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

NASHUA – Longtime Telegraph subscriber John Richards, a Lyndeborough resident and pyrography artist who displayed his woodburned works of art on June 6 at the First Anniversary Party of ArtHub in Nashua, said he was two hours from death with a raging infection in his left leg when he gave his doctors permission to amputate the limb.

“Once I lost my leg in December of 2024, I turned to pyrography as an activity that is portable, requires just wood and wood burning tools, and is quite satisfying,” Richards said during the party hosted by the Nashua Area Artists’ Association at the group’s gallery and workspace — ArtHub, 98 Main St.

“One of my favorite woodburnings on exhibit today is my wolf — mangy fur and a stare like he’s looking for dinner.”

ArtHub gallery co-managers, Sonia Gilmore and Jacqueline Barry, welcomed nearly 100 locals and plenty of out-of-state visitors to the ArtHub party.

The Nashua Area Artists’ Association (NAAA), founded in 1952, thrives as an acclaimed nonprofit educational organization whose stated mission is the advancement of art in Nashua and surrounding communities.”

Paula Lochhead, a longtime fiber artist from Nashua, displays handmade totes whose portion of sales will benefit Tales of Freedom, Inc., a cat rescue that tends and rehomes cats. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Sandra Papadeas, vice president of NAAA, said the group brings art and wellbeing to the community by reaching out to the public with a variety of activities.

Members of all skill levels, young and old, participate in art-centric programs, art classes and happenings that support local charities.

A charitable effort currently in progress contributes funds from the sale of handmade totes to an animal rescue whose goal for cats is foster care and rehoming.

The NAAA members also have donated dozens of colorful handmade baby quilts for the United Way of Greater Nashua’s annual Baby Shower event, one wherein new parents may select free baby clothes and accessories.

“All ages enjoy art, especially the works seen at our Greeley Park annual show, upcoming this year on Aug. 29-30,” Papadeas said, pausing alongside her exhibited painting — “Big Cat.”

Martha Munroe, a highly awarded artist from West Townsend, Mass., entered this work, "The Paper of the Tulip," admired by guests at the ArtHub First Anniversary Party. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

“We just gave out several scholarships through our Emerging Artist Student Talent (EAST) program, one that offers opportunities for exhibiting art as amateurs.”

The ArtHub First Anniversary Party drew artists and admirers meandering the spacious venue, a showcase for oil paintings, fabric art, handcrafted jewelry, glazed ceramics and basketmaking, along with photography, woodturning, pyrography and other media.

Martha Munroe, a resident of Townsend, Mass., displayed several acrylic paintings, works including “The Paper of the Tulip, a colorful vertical combo of color and shadow nearly 3-feet high.

Monroe modestly acknowledged a prestigious award she won not long ago from Boston’s Copley Society of Art, the oldest non-profit art association in the United States. The “Copley Master” is defined online as an honor sparingly granted to members winning three awards within critically juried shows.

“Artists expend a lot of blood, sweat and tears,” Munroe said. “They deserve all the recognition they’re getting today at this community celebration.”

Pyrography artist John Richards, a Lyndeborough resident, shared with visitors at the ArtHub party his image of a hungry wolf, wood burned in high detail. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

June programs at ArtHub include gatherings for Paint Night, Art Lessons with Sandy and an Axial Design class.

July brings art lessons, watercolor instruction, Zentangle practices, Neurographic Abstract Art for stress reduction and other classes.

The Greeley Park Art Show, launched in 1953 and now in its 73rd year, is an NAAA enterprise scheduled for Aug. 29-30 within the park located at 100 Concord St.

More information on ArtHub and the Nashua Area Artists’ Association is available on Facebook and online at nashuaarts.org.

Payal Tripathi, a Nashua resident, displays her painting of Indian women exhibited at the ArtHub First Anniversary Party. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Monique Sakellarios, a Nashua artist highly credentialed and exhibited at galleries nationwide, displays her oil painting, one done in expressionist style. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Sandra Papadeas, vice president of NAAA and a Nashua resident, admits to an affinity for painting cats, as rendered here with a stealthy feline subject, a leopard. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON