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 One Woman's Work: The Visual Art of Celia Laighton Thaxter
One Woman's Work: The Visual Art of Celia Laighton Thaxter was an exhibition showcasing the artistic talents of New Hampshire poet Celia Thaxter. The exhibition was on view at the New Hampshire Historical Society's Tuck Library from May 4 through October 19, 2002. Thanks to Our Sponsors The exhibition was organized by the Portsmouth Athenaeum and the Isles of Shoals Historical and Research Association with support from the Greater Piscataqua Community Foundation, the Rosamond Thaxter Foundation, and Celia Thaxter's descendants. The venue in Concord was made possible by David L. Babson & Company; McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton; Alison A. Banks; the Rosamond Thaxter Foundation; and the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company.
About the Exhibition A popular poet of late-19th-century America, Celia Thaxter is noted for having inspired an artists and writers colony to develop around the hotels her family operated at the Isles of Shoals. Her beautiful flower garden stood in sharp contrast to the otherwise bleak landscape. One Woman's Work showcases the influential poet's unsung talent as an artist and craftsman in her own right. The exhibition featured some 60 examples of her hand-painted china, watercolor paintings, and book and other illustrations. In her book about the poet, also called One Woman's Work, exhibition curator Sharon Stephan writes, "A child of nature with exceptional powers of observation, Thaxter recognized the unmatched beauty of the universe and found inspiration and expression in her harsh, isolated environment. She developed a passion for the plants and tiny creatures sharing her island home, and the barren island of Appledore proved fertile ground for her growth as a visual artist." Stephan links the artist's work to concerns of contemporary women, writing of Thaxter, "Capturing nature's artistry in paint, poetry, and prose, her work constitutes a powerful form of personal expression….Today [her artistic creations] represent a woman's search for self-reliance, confidence, and serenity in the pursuit of her creative passion." In conjunction with the exhibition, the Society published a special edition of its journal, Historical New Hampshire, focusing on the important role of Thaxter and other women in New Hampshire's crafts revival. Thanks to donations from NEA-New Hampshire and from Barbara and Larry Pitsch, the Society distributed copies of this special issue to every school library in the state, along with a guide for teachers. Opportunities to Learn More Visit our online museum store or call 603/856-0625 to order these publications and other products: One Woman's Work: The Visual Art of Celia Laighton Thaxter, by Sharon Stephan.Who Are We? The New Hampshire Historical Society is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing New Hampshire history through the Museum of New Hampshire History and the Tuck Library. The Society presents exhibitions and workshops to thousands of visitors each year. Join Us! Free admission to the Museum of New Hampshire History is one of the many benefits of membership in the New Hampshire Historical Society. You are invited to join today! Call the membership department at 603/856-0621, or use our convenient and secure online membership form. 
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