New Hampshire Artists Recognized for Lifetime Achievements

Award winners (left to right) Elizabeth H. Nutt, Mary V. Osgood and Gordon M. Keeler.

Three juried members of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, a statewide crafts guild based in Concord, N.H., have been named recipients of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award: Gordon M. Keeler of New London; Elizabeth H. Nutt of Candia; and Mary V. Osgood of Concord.

Work by Elizabeth H. Nutt.

“The Lifetime Achievement Award is a special honor presented by the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Standards Committee, whose mission is to encourage and maintain the league’s high standards of craftsmanship,” explains Susie Lowe-Stockwell, acting director of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen. “This award is being presented to each of these craftspeople not only because they have achieved excellence in their craft, but also because they have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the league and its ideals."

Each candidate, in order to meet the qualifications to be considered for a Lifetime Achievement Award, must be a current or former state-juried member of the league; have achieved excellence in his or her craft medium; have demonstrated commitment to the league; have earned local, regional or national recognition in his or her field; and be a mentor to other craftspeople. “The league is honored to present this award to three such outstanding individuals who so richly deserve this recognition,” says Lowe-Stockwell.

Gordon M. Keeler, woodturner and leather crafter: Keeler has been a state-juried member of the League for 50 years. He has devoted a lifetime to his craft, creating highly polished wooden bowls, unique wooden furnishings, and handcrafted leather belts. According to the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, being a craftsperson has been a way of life for Keeler, and he has never hesitated to share with others the meaning, demands and rewards of choosing such a life. In his humble, unassuming way, he continues to be a steadfast behind-the-scenes contributor to the league by befriending, educating and inspiring others. “I want my work to be used and loved,” says Keeler. “When you are able to give something that others will truly love, it’s a wonderful feeling.”

Work by Gordon M. Keeler.

Elizabeth (Bess) H. Nutt, silversmith: Nutt has been a state-juried member of the league for more than 30 years. She has attained national recognition for her work and has contributed enormously to the league by giving ceaselessly of her time and energy to help make the league the nationally recognized standard-bearer it is today. A founding member of the Society of American Silversmiths, Nutt’s work has been selected to be part of invitational and juried exhibitions in museums and galleries throughout the country, and has been presented with many awards for excellence. Her intricate boxes, utensils, bowls, containers and jewelry pieces are imaginative creations of sterling silver, often with cabochon stones used as accents. “My passion for silversmithing, stone collecting, ancient Egypt, Baroque music, and photography has always made my life a delightful and creative adventure,” says Nutt.

Work by Mary V. Osgood.

Mary V. Osgood, metal and stone jewelry: Osgood became a state-juried member of the league in 1980 when she was 65 years old. For her, this was the beginning of her “fourth career” after retiring from highly successful positions as a teacher and special education consultant for the state of New Hampshire. She has earned national recognition for her one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces that tend to be large, dramatic and colorful. According to the league, this energetic, 86-year-old craftsperson has been an inspiration to others, continually facing new adventures head-on throughout her life. “I want to continue to study and learn,” says Osgood. “And I want to show everyone that accumulating birthdays does not diminish one’s ability to be creative.”

To honor the outstanding achievements of each of these individuals, the league’s Gallery 205 hosted a Lifetime Achievement Awards Exhibition of their work from Oct. 26 through Dec. 21, 2001.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

League of New Hampshire Craftsmen (603) 224-3375 www.nhcrafts.org

The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen is a nonprofit, craft education organization. Its mission is to encourage, nurture and promote the creation, use and preservation of fine contemporary and traditional craft through the inspiration and education of artists and the broader community.