On Monday, Jan. 20, the University of New Hampshire Gallery of Art (GOA) unveiled its first exhibit of the Spring 2026 semester, InGathering. A reception to celebrate the newest exhibition was held on the evening of Friday, Jan. 23, featuring lively conversation, artist appearances, and light refreshments.
The exhibition features many talented and accomplished artists, including several UNH alums. Alex Leith, curator of and featured artist in the exhibition, received a BFA in 2014 from UNH. Leith “...focuses on exploring relationships between texture, color, shape, and mark making to find luminous movement,” according to his website.
InGathering is an exhibition that invites viewers to come together “...to remember we are not alone- to follow, process, and share the energy that gives us life,” said Leith. According to Leith, the exhibition was originally going to be titled “Nuts and Grains” as an ode to winter nourishment and the children’s book Frederick the Mouse. However, InGathering was chosen as the final title because it emphasized the exhibit’s mission of bringing people together.
The exhibition arose from unusual circumstances: construction was originally scheduled in the gallery for this period between the previous show and the B.F.A. showcase in the spring. “When Ben Cariens, the department chair, found out there was going to be an open slot for a show, he contacted me, wondering if I had interest in curating a show on short notice, and I leaped at the opportunity,” said Leith.
After that, Leith got to work contacting and gathering local artists to be featured. “10 seemed like a good amount,” said Leith, “and I was thrilled with the group of artists I managed to procure”. The work(s) featured in the exhibition range in medium, scale, and approach—from oil paintings to glass blowing.
Just as the exhibition invites viewers to come together, the exhibition was made possible by collaboration: “I may have led curation, but the show title also reflects the number of people it took to bring this together: students, teachers (Ben), volunteers, partners, even some children handling art (with the artist’s consent, of course),” said Leith. Since the Museum of Art's closure, the Gallery has become a collaborative space showcasing student, faculty, and community art.
“We want people to come to this space, walk through the door, exhale their anxieties or pause from dread, remember they are not alone, and consume all of this beauty to replenish their being,” said Leith.
InGathering will exhibit from Jan. 20 - Mar. 27 at the UNH Gallery of Art. Admission is free and open to all.
Featured Artists:
Alex Leith (Curator) • Dusty Knight • Lauren Karjala
Eleanor Croteau-LaBranche • Natasha Dikareva
Drew DiPasquale • Lisa Ridabock • Brea Corcoran
Matt Serven • Pete Ridabock • Bri Custer
