New England Crafts Connoisseur Online guide to fine contemporary crafts in the six-state region

   A day trip to coastal New Hampshire on a warm winter weekend served as a reminder that Portsmouth is a real charmer. No matter the season, it's an easy place to visit for a day, a weekend or longer.

   The small community -- 50+ miles north of Boston and just off I-95 -- offers a bustling scene with galleries, boutiques, cafes, restaurants, craft breweries, historic house museums, a living history museum, a gorgeous harborside park, and restored Colonial, Federalist and Victorian homes, all within easy walking distance along and around Market, Daniel, State, Marcy, Pleasant, Islington, and side streets.

  The population of 22,000 definitely expands from spring to late fall thanks to seasonal activities, among them harbor cruises, outdoor festivals and concerts, walking tours, and Strawbery Banke, that attract lots of out-of-town visitors..

   Visiting Strawbery Banke takes at least a half-day. The 10-acre complex of restored homes and buildings represent three centuries of history for Porstmouth which was founded in 1630. Located in the original center of town, it tells the story of how "Puddledock"  evolved from the 17th to 19 centuries into today's city. Open daily May 1 to Oct. 31, keep an eye on the website (strawberybanke.org) for  special programs and events.

    Portsmouth has a rich collection of historic house museums, among them the Warner House on Daniel Street, the Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden on Market Street (across from Valerie's), and the Wentworth-Coolidge House. The Moffatt-Ladd mansion has a gorgeous garden in the back with a horse chestnut tree with a connection to the American Revolution. Visit to get the full fascinating story.

     Among favorite artful venues is N.W. Barrett Gallery specializing in  contemporary crafts. It's been an anchor on Market Street for 35 years with choice selections in jewelry, wood  and furniture, wood, clay, and fiber arts. Among favorite artistas were jewelry by Lauren Pollaro, Carly Wright, pottery by Claireware. However, the  fabric great blue heron sculptures that at first glance looked like wood carvings were the stunners.The upstairs rooms feature changing exhibits by local and regional painters.

     Among other galleries along Market are Valerie's, Sea Bags, Don Gorvett's Piscataqua's Fine Arts, Tulips. With a sister gallery in Newburyport, Ma., Valerie's and has been in Portsmouth three years. Like Newburyport, this spot has lovely crafts in clay, jewelry, fiber, and paper. A perfect place to find a gift.

     Gorvett's nautical woodcut prints captures captures maritime life and architecture with dynamic images and scenes. Along with this work, the gallery carries the work of other well-known printmakers.

     For refreshments, there are craft breweries but I prefer bakeries and cafes for treats. Ceres Bakery on Penhallow Street has been making artisan breads and treats since 1980 plus it has breakfast and lunch specials and seating.

     A few blocks away on Daniel Street is Kaffee Vonsolln that was founded by a German baker in 2010 but a family of father, mother and daughter bought it in 2016. They've kept making the German treats and are known for  roasting their coffee beans in house. The ambiance and cozy space definitely gives it a real European coffee house vibe.

New England Crafts Connoisseur

NECC Publishing © 2020

Jan Shepherd, editor

newenglandcraftsconnoisseur.com

email: suseeq. 97 @ gmail .com