Trio of Art Galleries In One Space Opens In Meredith

PHOTO: Artists and co-owners of The Galleries at 30 Main include from left to right, painters Paul Moreau and Vynnie Hale, and photographer John Ferreira.

Meredith’s newest art gallery opened officially on February 19, following months of planning and renovations by three local artists. Located at 30 Main Street in the space formerly occupied by VynnArt Gallery,
The Galleries at 30 Main is the culmination of a shared vision and perfect partnership.

Housing three separate galleries within a common space, artists Vynnie Hale, Paul Moreau and John Ferreira are the featured artists. They have joined forces to expand upon the idea that Hale began ten years ago when he took over the gallery space from artist Christine Hodecker George. Operating as a solo entrepreneur, the then-new gallery owner hosted local artists and soon became a destination for artists, art-lovers and visitors looking for art that showcased the Lakes Region.

With his outgoing personality and connection to the artists who came to exhibit, buy art supplies or just to enjoy communing with each other, Hale met his new partners first as friends and fellow artists. Conversations about the challenges of balancing time to paint with the time required to run his business lead to the idea that has become The Galleries at 30 Main.
The men realized they had similar goals and complementary skills and together could take this small gallery to its next chapter while keeping time to create their own art along with that of other outstanding local artists.
Paul Moreau felt an immediate affinity for the atmosphere of the space and the people he met there. An accomplished painter who grew up in Laconia, his highly realistic portraits, murals and landscapes were already garnering national attention. Working in both oil and charcoal, Moreau specializes in commissions, with many examples of his work for sale or review. With equal talent as a fine woodworker, the artist makes his own frames that beautifully set off his artwork.

The renovated museum-quality gallery with enhanced lighting, woodwork and fresh paint naturally lends itself to the three separate spaces. The Moreau Gallery occupies the center space where his work will be featured beside works of several familiar regular and new painters including Wendy Wilson, Gerri Harvey, Marie Kelly, Jackie Roy, Edna Greenfield and Cate Poole. A unique feature is a wall where he hosts rotating juried collections of individual artists. Local landscapes, city scapes and lake scapes are beautifully displayed. An adjacent studio area by the window holds Moreau’s easel where you may see him or one of his artists painting.
The second space, the welcoming area to the left of the entrance, is occupied by the Ferreira Gallery featuring photographer John Ferreira who has been a long-time exhibitor at the former VynnArt Gallery. He has been a recipient of several awards for his unique landscape work which offer a glimpse into a world around us we rarely stop to see. His gallery also hosts several painters, including Richard Mundy who works in illustration, oil, watercolor and acrylics, oil painter Chris Ferreira, whose specialty is abstract realism and forthcoming bird sculptor and painter Joe Moneghan.
The third space is occupied by VynnArt, where his architectural oil paintings and alcohol inks are featured. From local scenes to abstracts, Hale’s artistic range is evident in the subject matter and various mediums he uses to create his pieces. Other artists exhibiting in his gallery include portrait artist Teresa Spinner, colored pencil artist Marilee Sundius, the mixed media assemblages of Kimberly J. B. Smith, oil paintings by the late Stan Littlefield and more.
Included in the recent renovations is a well-lit classroom space where small group workshops, life drawing and fun paint nights will be offered by various artists in the future. Also in the planning stages are special exhibits and events.
“We are very excited about the new possibilities we can offer to artists and art lovers through our combined efforts and our renovated gallery space,” said Hale.
Open every day except Tuesday, winter hours are 11:00-4:00. The gallery will always be hosted by at least one of the resident artists eager to welcome you to browse or ask questions.
A Grand Opening will be held at a later date.