By Jeann� McCartin
The stories shoes tell
Historian Dr. Kimberly Alexander’s “Treasures Afoot: Shoe Stories from the Georgian Era,” (Johns Hopkins University Press) is set for a September 16, 2018 release.
The book focuses on the history of the Georgian shoe, explored through a series of stories “that reveal how shoes were made, sold, and worn during the long 18th century,” Alexander says. “It traces the wearer’s fortunes and misfortunes through wear and style and features more than 100 photographs.”
“We explore the lives and letters of clever apprentices, skilled cordwainers, wealthy merchants and elegant brides, taking readers on a journey from bustling London streets into ship cargo holds, New England shops, and, ultimately, to the homes of eager consumers.”
The book was seven years in the making “with visits to 29 institutions, examining hundreds of shoes and countless documents, diaries, account books, broadsides and newspapers.”
For Alexander, currently a teacher of the history of New Hampshire material culture, and museum studies at the University of New Hampshire, shoes are an oft-visited subject in writing, research and curation (she was the co-curator of �Cosmopolitan Consumption: New England Shoe Stories, 1750-1850� exhibit with Sandra Rux at the Portsmouth Athenaeum in 2015). So, why shoes of all things?
Her “intense interest” began by chance in 2010, when she came across a single, brocaded silk shoe at Strawbery Banke Museum. It had seen hard times, but “held an aura of mystery,” she says. “There was such quality, beauty and craftsmanship invested in this relatively small object that it immediately captured my imagination.”
The badly distressed footwear spoke to its wearer’s life. “I was smitten,” Alexander says. “In short, shoes reveal the hopes, dreams and disappointments of the early Americans who wore them.” (Pre-order the book at https://amzn.to/2JCKFkQ).
Until the book signings begin, Alexander is a guest curator of “Fashioning the New England Family” at the Massachusetts Historical Society (for more information, visit www.masshist.org/exhibitions), which opens Oct. 5 in Boston.
“The exhibit is part of a yearlong look at fashion and textiles in eight Massachusetts institutions � MASSfashion (www.massfashion.org). I am also authoring the companion book.”
‘Small’ by Gina Perry makes the list
Gina Perry has her own book news. “Small” is the first both illustrated and written by Perry and just landed on the esteemed Bank Street’s Best Children’s Books of 2018 list.
“Children’s Book Committee at Bank Street College of Education creates an annual list of the best children’s books. ‘Small’ was included in the list for children under 5-years-old, and noted as a read-aloud,” Perry says. “‘Small’ has been well, but quietly, received into the book world. Being named as a Bank Street Best is a huge help in getting more libraries and readers to notice ‘Small.'”
“Small,” published in August 2017, is about a small girl in the big city. Initially she’s overwhelmed by the noise and scale. Soon, she finds the things that make her feel big � singing, sliding, drawing, and sharing her love with her mom.
There was nothing small about the time it took to get this book to stores.
It was penned six years ago. It then took several more to develop the idea for the visuals, Perry says.
“I sold the book to little bee books in the Fall of 2015 but due to scheduling conflicts, couldn’t start final art until late spring of 2016,” she says. “Creating the final illustrations took about three months, then I had to wait another year for it to finally be published.”
Perry’s next book, “Too Much! Not Enough!” is completed and scheduled for release with Tundra in August 2018. (“The early reviews have been wonderful.” See them at www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/gina-perry/too-much-not-enough/.)
She’s already working on a sequel to “Too Much!” which will feature the same characters, out in 2019. Simultaneously, Perry is completing illustrations for another book for Randall House, also out in 2019.
And there are other projects in the works: “I’m sure we’ll have more to talk about this summer and beyond.”
Library sculpture up through May 20
If you happened to visit the Portsmouth City Library recently, upon entry you were greeted by “Hope Is The Thing With Feathers,” a fascinating, deftly-executed sculpture installation created by Peter Flynn Donovan, family and friends.
While Peter Flynn’s mom Amanda Donovan took part in the project, it was all Peter Flynn, she says.
“What he wanted wasn’t so much a family project,” Amanda says. “He just wanted the place to be filled with things about birds.”
Peter Flynn sculpted the large, multi-pieced central sculpture. A colorful bird-like creature stands before a brightly colored and sparkle-lined cracked egg. He holds a coned hat from which scores of birds emerge and take to the vaulted ceiling.
The artwork’s moniker was taking from an eponymous Emily Dickinson poem.
The installation includes Amanda’s prayer flags depicting stenciled birds, and rows of warm-hued, crocheted single feathers by Alexandra Sink, Peter Flynn’s friend. Paintings of birds, by his dad Flynn Donovan are exhibited in a separate room.
“It was all Peter’s vision. … He did all the legwork work, set it up, and invited Flynn to put in some of his bird paintings … my work, and invited Alex,” Amanda says. “Peter has been working on the project for months, to make it work. He had a vision of a cloud of birds coming out of a a hat. It is stunning. He’s brilliant, actually.”
There is a small plaque dedicating the piece to the Barr Family. It’s a personal tribute from Peter Flynn to his dearest friend and his entire family. “He’s known them forever. They’re very special to him.”
Time to drop in at the local library for the usual wonderfulness, and something a little special that will lift your spirits. The installation will stay up through May 20.
Photography book sets Kickstarter campaign
The “Ten Piscataqua Photographers” project has hit a new milestone on its way to the printers. It’s a publication editor and curator Phillip Augusta describes as “something like farm to table, but bringing art from studios around the region to your coffee table.”
The project, which features Seacoast artists, is unique in that all those participating, “everybody” has a share in the book, Augusta says.
Its latest move on the road to publication is the “Ten PP” website at www.tenpiscataqua.com.
It also launched an all-or-nothing Kickstarter fundraiser. Among the rewards for donations are prints by some of the photographers involved. Visit www.kickstarter.com/projects/phillipaugusta/ten-piscataqua-photographers
“We have ’til May 21 to raise $14,000 and if we meet that, we immediately start ’10 Piscataqua Painters,’ and the photographer book will be shipped in July,” Augusta, who was the co-publisher of re:Ports, says.
If the goal isn’t met?
“I guess I get upset and cry,” Augusta says. “I guess one of the things I could do is try it again with a cheaper book cover. But I’m trying to make a book cover that is a piece of art itself … cloth-bound, with debossing and foil stamping. … So, I could try to do a regular book or hardcover, that would cost cheaper,” he says. “But I don’t know if I could handle this again. Crowdsourcing is hard. … It’s like any artist, you’re going out on a limb. I don’t know how I’ll deal with failure, but I’ve failed before and survived.”
Jeann� McCartin has her eyes and ears out for Seacoast gossip. E-mail [email protected].
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