Rochester Museum of Fine Arts

10/27/2026

We’ll be hosting a reception on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm to celebrate "You’ve Been Here" by Stacey Durand in the Carnegie Gallery. All are welcome to attend! The Carnegie Gallery is located in the Rochester Public Library, 65 South Main Street, Rochester, NH 03867. Visit rochestermfa.org for more information.

10/23/2026

UPDATE! The restoration is complete, and the mural will be protected for years to come. We want to thank the artist who worked on the project, Spenser Macleod, for all his hard work and attention to detail. We hope the community enjoys what we did, and we appreciate your enthusiasm and support.
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The Rochester Museum of Fine Arts (RMFA) is pleased to announce the restoration of the folk-art mural located on the corner of Columbus Avenue and Portland Street, on the side of the former Lamper & Son Hardware building.

According to owner Dave Lamper, Steve McDuffee painted the mural about 30 years ago, and it needs restoration after years of New England weather and sun fading.

The RMFA commissioned local artist Spenser Macleod (), known for his murals around the region, including art on the second floor of the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center, and more recently, his work for the Granite State Fair, where he painted the side of school buses destined for the demolition derby.

RMFA co-founder Matt Wyatt says he’s happy to see the mural updated and restored, as it’s been needed for some time and is beloved by many Rochester residents who pass by every day. “It’s a scene that most Rochester residents know right away whenever you mention it,” said Wyatt. “It’s something I’ve been seeing my whole life, and we’re proud to preserve it for many more years to come.”

Wyatt adds that the mural comes at no cost to the owner of the building, and Macleod is making every effort to restore it without changing the imagery. He expects the restoration to be completed by Friday, October 23.

To learn more about Spenser Macleod, visit www.spensermacleod.com. To learn more about the RMFA, visit www.rochestermfa.org.

10/20/2026

The Rochester Museum of Fine Arts (RMFA) is pleased to announce the restoration of the folk-art mural located on the corner of Columbus Avenue and Portland Street, on the side of the former Lamper & Son Hardware building.

According to owner Dave Lamper, Steve McDuffee painted the mural about 30 years ago, and it needs restoration after years of New England weather and sun fading.

The RMFA commissioned local artist Spenser Macleod (), known for his murals around the region, including art on the second floor of the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center, and more recently, his work for the Granite State Fair, where he painted the side of school buses destined for the demolition derby.

RMFA co-founder Matt Wyatt says he’s happy to see the mural updated and restored, as it’s been needed for some time and is beloved by many Rochester residents who pass by every day. “It’s a scene that most Rochester residents know right away whenever you mention it,” said Wyatt. “It’s something I’ve been seeing my whole life, and we’re proud to preserve it for many more years to come.”

Wyatt adds that the mural comes at no cost to the owner of the building, and Macleod is making every effort to restore it without changing the imagery. He expects the restoration to be completed by Friday, October 23.

To learn more about Spenser Macleod, visit www.spensermacleod.com.

10/20/2026

Join us in celebrating "You’ve Been Here", an exhibition featuring works by Stacey Durand in the Carnegie Gallery, on view until December 4, 2026. A public reception will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. All are welcome to attend! The Carnegie Gallery is located in the Rochester Public Library, 65 South Main Street, Rochester, NH 03867. Visit rochestermfa.org to learn more.

10/16/2026

Abstract painter Drew DiPasquale debuts his new solo exhibition, Almost Something You Know, at the New Hampshire Art Association (NHAA) in November.

DiPasquale’s latest collection features abstract mixed-media paintings that reflect a practice rooted in experimentation and discovery, inviting viewers to bring their own memories, associations, and interpretations to each piece.

DiPasquale’s Portsmouth studio offers a glimpse into his artistic philosophy: embracing imperfection, welcoming chaos, and playfully departing from the conventions of painting. Raw canvas is intentionally laid across the floor, gathering traces of daily life. Footsteps, spills, and drifting charcoal dust become marks that form the foundation for new paintings. The works unfold through a process of discovery as DiPasquale intuitively responds to the textures, colors, and unexpected compositions that emerge.

Formerly a representational painter, DiPasquale experienced a significant shift in his approach to art after taking a class with Aris Moore at PMAC. “Painting isn’t about making a ‘thing’ all the time—there’s so much more in life that I’m trying to put into these,” DiPasquale says, reflecting on his stylistic shift. His work now prioritizes experimentation, the expansion of his visual vocabulary, and the interplay between control and chaos.

Influenced as much by the imaginative world of his young children as by historical Abstract Expressionists such as Arshile Gorky, Philip Guston, and Grace Hartigan, DiPasquale has shifted in recent years from a representational style toward a more spontaneous visual language. Pattern, texture, and line unfold organically, forming unapologetic compositions that invite viewers to look deeper and ascribe their own meaning.

DiPasquale’s exhibition will be on view November 4–29 at the New Hampshire Art Association’s Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery, located at 136 State St., Portsmouth, NH 03801. An opening reception will take place November 6 from 5–8 p.m., followed by a Meet the Artists event on November 22 from 1–3 p.m.

Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; and Sunday, noon–5 p.m.

10/13/2026

Don’t miss "You’ve Been Here", an exhibition featuring works by Stacey Durand in the Carnegie Gallery, open until December 4, 2026. Join us for a public reception on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Everyone is welcome! The Carnegie Gallery is located in the Rochester Public Library, 65 South Main Street, Rochester, NH 03867. Visit rochestermfa.org to learn more.

10/03/2026

09/28/2026

We’ll be hosting a reception on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm to celebrate "Titanic" by Paige Speight in the Bernier Room. All are welcome to attend! The Bernier Room is located in the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center, 150 Wakefield Street, Rochester, NH 03867. Visit rochestermfa.org for more information. Hope to see you there!

09/21/2026

Join us in celebrating "Titanic", an exhibition featuring works by Paige Speight in the Bernier Room, on view until November 6, 2026. A public reception will be held on October 3, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. All are welcome to attend! The Bernier Room is located in the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center, 150 Wakefield Street, Rochester, NH 03867. Visit rochestermfa.org to learn more.

09/10/2026

We’re thrilled to announce "Titanic", an exhibition featuring works by Paige Speight in the Bernier Room, on view from September 8, 2026 to November 6, 2026. Join us for a public reception on October 3, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Everyone is welcome! The Bernier Room is located in the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center, 150 Wakefield Street, Rochester, NH 03867. Visit rochestermfa.org to learn more.

*Images brutally cropped by Meta.