Rye is a community acknowledged for its beauty, charm and talented artists. Beautiful beach sunrises and lingering sunsets coax young and old to ride the waves and to linger for its beauty. Star Island, in the distance, delights the eyes of beachgoers, seeing its beauty and mystery. Remembered for Celia Thaxter and her conclave for artists of the past, the islands draw seacoast artists and others from around the world, as do Rye’s beaches. Plein-air painters of all media, nature lovers, shell collectors, and seekers of beauty: you will see them all wandering Rye’s beaches.
Rye Art Study’s membership includes many of these artists. But RAS is not exclusive to just landscape or seascape artists. Other kinds of art are represented in the membership as are people who are interested in art for art’s sake. Members love to see it, learn about it, buy it, and most importantly - enjoy it!
Rye Art Study is about continuous learning from artists and those connected to art who present a program each month, September through May. The group has been in continuous existence for more than 60 years. During those years members have learned about art history, the masters, techniques, favorite media, brushes, favorite paints, and colors. Museums, owning a gallery, framing, marketing, basketweaving, pottery, quilting, using drones for photography, jewelry design, woodcarvings, sculptures have all been subjects for meetings.
In the beginning women of Rye and North Hampton had their new homes and wanted to fill their homes with beauty and art. Realizing they needed more art knowledge, they formed “Rye Art Study.”
Originally, they met in each other’s homes, and members did the research and presented the programs. Everyone who heard about the group wanted to learn and join
Rye Library has an archive of past members in their 1970’s garb sitting at the beach eating lunch, and also some museum travels the group enjoyed together. How local history relates to art has been an on-going interest and subject in Rye Art Study.
For many years the group had a waitlist because the membership was 100 members, and they could no longer meet in each other’s homes. They made the decision to move from homes to the Rye Congregational Church. It was the new meeting! Lots of parking and the fellowship hall made it a convenient and comfortable setting for meetings. RAS still appreciates their hospitality.
The membership now stands between 60-70 members.
Each year we learn, from amazing talented people, about their art or a related subject. And we make friends that are interested in the many aspects of art.
Next year’s schedule has been finalized and is on the website in June.
