Exhibits at the Library
Recent Exhibit
Racial Unity Team's Art & Poetry Challenge
7/3-7/31
An exhibit of 63 works of art and poetry by residents across eight New Hampshire counties will be displayed at the Portsmouth Public Library July 3-31, 2025.
The Art & Poetry Challenge, an annual Racial Unity Team event, showcases human connection through the arts. K-12 students and adults were invited to submit art or poetry based on the theme of “Belonging.” The exhibit examines the opposing concepts of belonging and exclusion as experienced in our world today. A broad diversity of NH residents presented their original works of art or poetry and competed for monetary awards given to the first, second, and third-place winners across five age categories. Winners have the distinction of having their work included in a year-long, statewide tour of libraries and other public spaces.
As part of its ongoing community engagement, the Racial Unity Team, in partnership with the Portsmouth Public Library, invites you to participate in a Community Dialogue and Reception on Saturday, July 12, from 2:00 to 3:30 PM.
The library is located at 175 Parrott Avenue.
This year’s Art & Poetry Challenge is funded by Kennebunk Savings Foundation, M&T Bank, NH Charitable Foundation, and the Foundation for Seacoast Health. Visit www.racialunityteam.com for more information.
The Artists of Rogers Point 2025
Richard Haynes Community Mural
About Library Exhibits
Exhibit and display space in the Portsmouth Public Library is used to highlight Library collections, services, and events.
As scheduling permits, the Library also makes available space for groups, organizations, or individuals to exhibit in the library. Space is provided for educational, cultural, civic, or recreational exhibits with the following goals:
- To broaden horizons by presenting a wide range of art, collections, or displays
- To support community educational, cultural and artistic activities
- To nourish intellectual, aesthetic and creative growth
Visiting exhibits are on display for one month, but shorter time periods can be arranged if space permits. To discuss an educational, cultural, civic or recreational exhibit contact Nicole Cloutier at (603) 766-1725 or through our contact form.
You can download the library's exhibit policy here.
You can fill out a display application here or download the application here.