Art-Speak Announces Overnight Artists
and Honorary Overnight Art Chairperson 
 
Longtime Portsmouth resident and former state senator Elaine Krasker has been named honorary chair of Art-Speak's 2010 Overnight Art show that will feature the commissioned works of six New England artists.
 
In 1978 as a state representative, Krasker was the lead sponsor of a bill that allocates a percentage of sate building funds for the arts.
 
Twenty-one artists entered the Art-Speak's Overnight Art competition that displays original works of outdoor art at various locations around the city from June to October. This year's selected artists are:
 
Donna Dodson, Boston, MA, and Andy Moerlein, Bow
Jeanne Givens, Rye
Carly Glovinski and Matt Wajda, Dover
Sarah Haskell, York , Maine
Ironwood Design Group, Exeter
Annika Wisswaesser, Kittery, Maine

Spurred by the recent discussions regarding the condition of the roadways connecting Portsmouth to Kittery, this year's theme is bridges. Descriptions of the art installations and their locations will be announced at a later date.
 
A non-profit organization, Art-Speak, the city's cultural commission, does not receive any taxpayer money for its Overnight Art project, which is funded through sponsorships and donations. Artists receive a $1000 honorarium plus a stipend of up to $1200 to cover the cost of materials.
 
It is anticipated that, in October, the works will be auctioned off, with money raised going to help fund future Art-Speak Programs.
 
Major donors to Overnight Art 2010 include, in part, Bid2Win Software, Inc; M. Christine Dwyer; Portsmouth Brewery; Seacoast Rotary; Coughlin, Rainboth, Murphy & Lown, P.A., George Friese, Dos Amigos Burritos; Bosen & Springer; 100 Market Street; Piscataqua Savings Bank; Jumpin Jays Fish Café; Centrix Bank; Jane James; McHenry Architecture; Martin Hill Inn; Donna Ryan; Artstream; Laurie Chandler; Susan Conway; Forbes Educational Consulting; Nahcotta Gallery; Leanne Spees; Jonathan and Valerie Sobel; Margaret Talcott and Scott Scharer; and Worldly Goods.
 
Art-Speak's mission is to promote appreciation, awareness, participation, and dialogue in the support of arts and culture in Portsmouth. For more information, contact Sue Cobler at 603-610-7222,  603-610-7222 or scobler@ch.cityofportsmouth.com.