Art Kettle opening reception: Manchester Ties (photos)

Sunday, September 9th saw the inaugural show at Art Kettle located at at 121 West Main Street.

Laura and Rich Earle, owners and force behind Art Kettle welcomed the guests packed into the historic house. Laura Earle announced that in addition to the excitement of the first opening, they had found out shortly before the show that their daughter in Texas had just gone into labor with their first grandchild.

This first show, Manchester Ties, featured many artists with ties to Manchester. The show was curated by the resident manager, print-maker and ceramicist Margaret A Miller. Miller will be living at the home with her husband, musician Anthony Emery, to oversee day-to-day studio operations.

Calling the opening "absolutely thrilling," Laura Earle spoke briefly about turning the circa 1835 Italianate-style Fargo homestead, one of the oldest homes in Manchester, into a public space that welcomes the arts. Reminding those in attendance that the featured Manchester artists are "your neighbors," Earle thanked Riverfolk Music and Arts Organization for its sponsorship of the Art Kettle, as well as honoring Miller and Emery, along with her husband Rich and son David, for their immeasurable contributions to the transformation.

"We are truly building a creative community here," she added.

Art Kettle has partnered with Riverfolk Arts, Manchester's longstanding music and arts charitable organization. Music was provided by Westbound Situation Chambergrass Trio, with Grant Flick, Matt Davis and Jacob Warren.

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by Fritz Swanson

Fritz Swanson has written for The Believer, the Christian Science Monitor, Print Magazine, McSweeney's, Esopus, LSA Magazine, and The Mid-American Review. He serves as a trustee on the Manchester District Library Board. He's the designer and publisher of The Manchester Mirror.

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