So there’s this club.
It’s not the kind where you bust a move on the dance floor – which would be awesome since it’s headquarters are centrally located in Concord – but nevertheless it’s still pretty popular.
This kind of club has just a few small requirements, kind of like the He-Man Woman-Haters Club from The Little Rascals, only this one allows women. For entry into this club, you must live in New Hampshire or in a town that’s within 10 miles of the Granite State border. It’s one of those non-negotiable rules that allows it to remain specific to New Hampshire. We apologize to those outside of those areas, but we don’t make the rules, we’re just the ones who pass them along. Like they say, don’t shoot the messenger.
And once you’ve passed the residency part, the only thing left is to be really good at producing high quality arts and crafts – and not the kind you got gold stars for in kindergarten. Because what we’re actually talking about here is the League of N.H. Craftsmen.
The League is made up of more than 750 juried members, with the list of last names covering 25 of 26 letters in the alphabet (come on artsy people of New Hampshire, they need an X.) And each one brings a specific set of skills to the table – some even make tables.
“At the League, we promote the work of our juried craftsmen,” said Executive Director Susie Lowe-Stockwell.“These are all people who chose to live this lifestyle.”
There are 23 categories to be accepted into, ranging from baskets to wood, and metal to glass, and just about any other art or craft you can think of – except there’s no fine art category.
“We do everything else in the art categories,” Lowe-Stockwell said.
For those of you reading this who feel your art (or craft) is worthy of inclusion in the League, the first step is to complete an application at nhcrafts.org. If you’re passed through by the standards committee, it’s off to the jury process you go. You’ll meet with a panel of at least two juried members who are accomplished craftspeople within a media relevant to yours.
“We have very high standards,” Lowe-Stockwell said. “It must have the voice or the spirit of the maker. We’re looking for originality.”
It takes about an hour to review the work and then three outcomes can happen – acceptance, partial acceptance or denial. And with the latter two, you can always come back for another shot.
“It’s quite an enlightening and educating process,” Lowe-Stockwell said. “I know a couple of members that took three times to get in.”
Annual dues of $85 come with being a juried member, but a lot of perks come with that cost. Your work can be shown and sold at the seven League locations strategically placed throughout the state, along with the long list of classes and workshops that you can either attend or teach. Because once you’re in the club, it doesn’t mean you can just chill. There’s a certain expectation for all juried members to constantly seek ways to improve their craft.
“It’s a different level when you’re juried,” said League member Sharon Lindstrom. “You’ve got to grow. You’ve got to keep growing and changing.”
But for those who just want to learn a new skill that could help fill the old Christmas stocking next year, there’s classes available for crafters of all abilities. All of the locations offer an educational component and it has even helped produce new League members.
It all began back in 1932. The group was founded as the League of New Hampshire Arts and Crafts after the efforts of Mary Coolidge and A. Cooper Ballentine, and the support of Gov. John Winant, making New Hampshire the first state in the nation to support crafts.
“That’s a special moment for New Hampshire,” Lowe-Stockwell said.
In 1968, the League was renamed to its current title and continued on a rapid pace of growth. Fast forward to 2011 and the League reached new heights with a move to South Main Street and a place to properly run the operations side of things.
The Gallery hosts four shows a year that only include League members’ work, and a lot of effort goes into making it just right. If you’re a regular reader of the Insider, you’ve probably seen some of the work.
“They work two years ahead to draw up the topic for the shows,” Lowe-Stockwell said.
There’s also the Annual League of N.H. Craftsmen’s Fair at Mount Sunapee Resort each August, which will be celebrating its 82nd year in 2015.
For more on the League, check out the website, nhcrafts.org, or stop by the downtown Concord location.
“It’s a growing art district down here and we’re thrilled to be a part of it,” Lowe-Stockwell said.
