Art-felt Gifts at the Currier
Come for the exhibitions, but don’t forget to shop.
The museum shop at the Currier offers a curated selection of artisanal objects, great gifts and beautiful art books.
In the heart of Manchester is a jewel of a gift shop sparkling with creative ideas. The Currier Museum of Art shop, located at 150 Ash St. opened more than 20 years ago, but even locals are surprised at the treasures inside.
Nicole Goodwin, museum shop manager, enjoys introducing museum visitors to unique finds from New Hampshire artisans. Every object in the shop tells a story.
The Currier is the only museum in the country to steward two Frank Lloyd Wright homes; both are a short distance from the museum, which conducts tours. Shop visitors can browse a premier selection of Frank Lloyd Wright merchandise, including books featuring his work, housewares, puzzles and accessories with his signature designs and patterns, and even jewelry reflecting his work, including earrings based on the window designs of the Zimmerman house.
Rows of art prints from the Currier’s permanent collection entice art lovers, as do notecards, magnets and postcards. Creations from local makers are on display as well, including pottery from the Barefoot Potter in Derry, handblown glass pieces from New Temple Glassworks in Temple, ornaments from A M Handcrafted Designs in Amherst, jewelry from Karen Eisenberg Designs in Mount Washington Valley, and fused glass works from Kelly Harrison Arts, also of Derry.
Fair trade items from around the globe are available, including scarves and purses, and a children’s section nurtures the creativity of the next generation. Books by beloved New Hampshire author Tomie de Paola are a favorite along with a variety of craft kits, watercolor kits and STEAM-related products.
Every season brings something new to the museum shop inspired by current exhibitions. This Currier visitor peruses colorful spring items, from notebooks to pins, related to “Bloom: A Floral Palette.”
“The Currier shop is special,” says Jordana Pomeroy, Currier director and CEO. “We offer a sense of place by featuring handmade, local items that carry a story. Our selection is distinctive and personal. When you shop with us, you directly support New Hampshire artists and contribute to the sustainability of the museum and its programs, so your gift has meaning.”
The search for ideal shop items is ongoing, with the manager actively scouting regional fairs, makers’ markets and specialized events such as the Made in New England show. “We use premier wholesale channels to provide fresh, high-quality merchandise that aligns with the museum’s aesthetic,” explains Pomeroy. “Our core inventory is available year-round, but the rest of the collection changes seasonally. We also sync our offerings to the museum’s calendar so that merchandise reflects the themes of current collections or special events.”
With many artists and art historians working at the Currier, you might recognize some of the authors on the shelves. Here, Jordana Pomeroy, director and CEO of the Currier, shares her recent young adult book, “Daring: The Life and Art of Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun.”
We are continuing to explore ways to expand our partnership with local makers to create Currier-exclusive items that cannot be found anywhere else.
An example is the Currier’s recent Bloom event which debuted in March. Bloom, which will become an annual event, showcased floral arrangements that complemented the floral artworks of the Currier collection. Members of the New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs created 18 outstanding displays. The shop harmonized with the event by offering an extensive collection of floral-themed merchandise, which will continue into the summer.
“The shop and the Tidewater Café are important amenities to the Currier,” says Pomeroy. “They encourage guests to make a day of it — tour the museum, the houses, enjoy something good to eat and then shop for a souvenir or a gift. They help create a fun, relaxing experience, and when you bring something home, you remember your time at the Currier.”
Looking to the future, Pomeroy sees the shop as a vital bridge between the museum’s collections and the community. “We are continuing to explore ways to expand our partnership with local makers to create Currier-exclusive items that cannot be found anywhere else,” she says. “The goal is for the shop to reflect the Currier itself — a source of New Hamp-shire pride that offers quality content to inspire every visitor.”
Visit the Currier shop Wednesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more at currier.org or call 603-669-6144. You do not need to pay for museum entry to visit the shop.
