Photographer Robert Walrath captured Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jorma Kaukonen, who performed in Derry last year.

NASHUA – For many artists during the pandemic, finding ways to be creative was sometimes inspired, other times challenging.

Through the month of February, the Nashua Art Hub, 107 E. Pearl St., is exhibiting work by various Nashua area artists with the theme, “Singing the Blues.” Artists could interpret that anyway they liked, whether it be a theme, a color or a mood.

For artist Madeleine LaRose, who paints primarily in pastels and acrylics, the months of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown proved quite productive.

“It was intentional but in some ways, it was something that I wasn’t aware of at the time,” she said of feeling creative. “Then I realized, ‘This is good. It gives purpose to my day.'”

LaRose said that with all the stress and anxiety that the last 11 months have triggered, having a release of painting was a healthy exercise.

Nashua Art Hub’s Lauren Boss, Jackie Barry and Kathy Meighan hold items at the gallery located at 107 E. Pearl St.

As 2021 rolled in, LaRose knew that it wouldn’t be a quick return to normal.

“It might never even get back to what we think of as normal,” she shared. “So, at the Art Hub in particular, it took us a little longer than most, but we got an online shop up and running and I know the Picker artists were very quick to do that. A lot of organizations saw that they had to adapt or die, so to speak.”

Fellow artists and Art Hub co-presidents Lauren Boss and Jacqueline Barry, along with Art Hub artist Kathy Meighan, recently spoke at the E. Pearl Street gallery to talk shop, or in this case, art and the theme of “Singing the Blues” and their processes of creating art during the pandemic.

“I ended up creating less,” Barry said who paints in pastels. “I started out pretty good, but as it dragged on, I just got unfocused.”

Originally, the Art Hub had a sign on the door that read, “Closed until March 8.”

“That didn’t work,” Barry said.

Meighan, who specializes in hand-painted glass, among other items, said she started the shutdown being creative and busy, but that creativity “dropped off.”

“Like Jackie was saying, I guess I wasn’t in the mood,” Meighan said. “But I’m itching to get back. I can feel that.”

“It’s like you’re in a holding pattern,” Barry interjected.

Boss creates jewelry and said she relies on outdoor art shows and craft fairs, so knowing that she didn’t have those opportunities didn’t exactly ignite her artistic energy.

“Right now, I’m in such a funk,” Boss said. “I can’t even force myself to make anything. Usually if I go on a cleaning spree, and start organizing things, that will motivate me a bit. It doesn’t help the cleaning process, but it helps me create things.”

Barry said she spent a lot of time at the Art Hub during the past few months.

“I don’t know if it’s just to be around the art or an escape from what I’m not doing,” Barry said.

Traffic at the Art Hub seems to ebb and flow, depending on the temperature and weather. Having area businesses, like the City Room closed until April, 2021, doesn’t lend to bringing people in.

“One day there will be nobody and the next, we’ll have some folks come in,” Barry added.

As for “Singing the Blues,” the exhibit also features photographers Robert Walrath, Cathy McDonah and Howard Muscott.

One of Walrath’s photos for the exhibit is of musician Jorma Kaukonen, of Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna fame. Walrath captured the famed guitarist and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at an outdoor gig at Tupelo Music Hall last year.

“It was a very cold day,” Walrath said. “And Jorma was keeping warm, playing and singing on stage with the help of a few heaters. He was singing a lot of blues tunes, so this, I thought, would fit nicely with the theme.”

Coming up, the Art Hub’s March/April exhibit is titled, “The Sky’s the Limit.”

In addition, the Art Hub is currently looking for a membership coordinator, which entails approximately five hours per month, as well as an advisory board member, who would meet with the board once a month (plus whatever hours they’d like to volunteer). The Art Hub is also seeking volunteers interested in helping out during the Greeley Park Art Show, Aug. 21 and 22; hours of the show are 10 – 4 both days. Non-artists are encouraged to inquire. For more information, visit www.nashuaarts.org.

Newsletter