Nature and Humanity in the Monadnock Region
People have had a varied relationship with the natural landscape in the Monadnock Region. At times residents of the region have lived in harmony with nature and at times they have exploited the area’s natural resources.
Today the region is recognized for its natural beauty. It is almost entirely forested, but at times in the past it has been almost entirely cleared as a result of farming and logging activities. The southwest corner of the state is known as the “Currier & Ives Corner” of New Hampshire because of its remarkably intact early New England historical record and built environment, which survives in harmony with nature. This exhibit will illustrate the relationship between nature and humanity.
How have humans impacted and interacted with nature in the Monadnock Region, past and present? In turn, how has nature impacted, and how does it continue to impact, the life of people in the area? The Historical Society of Cheshire County and the region’s artists are collaborating on an exhibit that will allow the artists to answer these questions. Positive, negative and indifferent interactions with nature will be recognized in this collaborative exhibit. Artists are encouraged to create works that illustrate the many forms these interactions take and how this impacts their own lives.
The Nature and Humanity exhibit is supported in part by a grant from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Patron Sponsors: Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation and RiverMead Lifecare Community
The 40 towns of the Monadnock Region are recognized for their natural beauty. The residents of the region have worked diligently to preserve that natural landscape, even when it was not a popular endeavor. This exhibit will recognize the relationship between people and nature.
The region’s farms, industries, forest use, transportation infrastructure, land conservation, outdoor sports and recreation, and human connection to nature offer a wide variety of artistic opportunities. In the jurying process we will consider artistic excellence and variety as part of the selection process. Location, subject, medium, and style will all be taken into consideration.
Several lectures and programs will be scheduled by the Historical Society in conjunction with this exhibition. These will focus on the man and nature topic, thereby giving additional exposure to our special region.
