Photo Caption: A painting of a boat by Beverly Dieterich
The New Hampshire Boat Museum (NHBM) will host “An Evening with NHBM Member Artists” on Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at its Moultonborough Campus.
The free reception will feature the work of four professional artists who are also NHBM members: Beverly Dieterich, Margery Mueller, Cheryl Shanahan, and Ann Xavier. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the artists, view their work, and learn about the inspiration behind each piece. Light appetizers and wine will be served.
Cheryl Shanahan, whose paintings capture the lakes, boats, barns, and skies of New England, draws on a discipline first shaped by her years as a pianist. “Every morning I show up to paint the way I once showed up to the piano—with focus, persistence, and respect for the craft,” she said. “Painting is where structure meets possibility, the intersection of ‘what if’ and ‘why not.’”
Like Shanahan, Beverly Dieterich’s paintings are inspired by natural landscapes, although she is particularly inspired by the water. “I love painting and sketching boats, and in earlier years I spent time in marinas or dockside,” she said.
Margery Mueller’s medium is watercolor on Yupo paper, a 100% polypropylene synthetic waterproof paper often used for nautical charts, durable manuals, and field guides. Her work explores liminal space. “My work starts with a basic composition, a layout, and then the medium leads me through the fluid reaction,” she explained.
For returning artist Ann Xavier, inspiration also stems from nature, though she is always drawn to “interesting architecture.” “The Museum is a unique and beautiful venue with the vision of preserving the history of boating on New Hampshire’s lakes,” she said.
For Devon Kurtz, NHBM Executive Director, the event reflects the spirit of NHBMs mission to bring New Hampshire’s freshwater boating heritage to life with exhibits, events, and on-the-water experiences. “Featuring the work of accomplished artists who are also part of our member community is a wonderful expression of that mission,” he added.
“An Evening with NHBM Member Artists” is free and open to the public.
About NHBM
Founded in 1992 by antique and classic boating enthusiasts, NHBM offers dynamic exhibits and engaging events and programs tailored to the diverse boating lifestyles and values of people of all ages. NHBM exhibits, events and programming covers everything from boat charters, boat trips and race boats to canoes, wooden boats, outboard motors, sculling, sailing sunfish, and Lyman and Johnson motors. Some of our hands-on programs take place on Lake Winnipesaukee. NHBM is sponsored in part by Goodhue Boat Company, North Water Marine, Eastern Propane and Oil, Kingswood Press and Design Studios, Avery Insurance, KW Lakes and Mountains, Lanes End Marine, Watermark Marine, Amoskeag Beverages, Mi Box, Fay’s Boat Yard, and BootLeggers.