The Connecticut River Artisan Group (CRAG) is pleased to announce that Pam Choquette has been selected as the artist in residence for 2024. Pam’s education includes the liberal and healing arts as well as art and music. Pam’s roots originate in the deep south and include a family of military veterans, medical professionals, musicians and missionaries. Her culturally diverse background and childhood memories are rooted in family traditions, which ignited creativity from an early age.
After retiring from 25 years in social services working with at-risk youth, Pam participated in a CRAG plein air event at Quimby’s Lodge in Averill, Vermont. Her first watercolor painting was a magical experience that opened a Pandora’s box of artistic adventures. Since that event, collaboration with other artists significantly impacted Pam’s artistic journey into the enchanting world of Fluid Art. Fluid Art is known as flow art, liquid art or acrylic paint pouring. It has become a popular abstract painting technique that involves the use of fluid art mediums, such as free flowing acrylic paint, or very runny acrylics, powdered pigments or inks. After years of significant research, online masterclass tutorials and personal experimentation, Pam is now considered one of the premier artists in the north country using this unique fluid art process. Her expertise is recognized by her peers and the numerous students she has shared her talents with. She has exhibited her paintings at several venues, and her fluid art masterpieces are included in many private collections.
As the artist in residence, Pam will present two classes, participate in CRAG exhibits, and interact with people in the community at various locations. The program is funded by a grant from the Tillotson North County Foundation.
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Photo of Connecticut River Artisan Group (CRAG) artist in residence, Pam Choquette, in action in the park in Canaan, VT. Pam will be offering two classes and painting at different locations during her residency.
Photo of social worker and art therapist Kathleen Killeen and Pam Choquette during their presentation on how music, art, and other forms of creativity can impact mental health and recovering from traumatic events. Pam painted while Kathleen discussed and demonstrated how music can impact the moods and openness of people. It was a superb presentation that was part of Pam’s artist in residence experience.
Photo of Pam Choquette and Nancy Smith displaying some of the drawings made by over 50 people at the chamber of commerce office during the Moose Festival in Colebrook, NH. Pam, who is the artist in residence for the Connecticut River Artisan Group (CRAG) this summer, is going to incorporate the drawings in a huge painting, which will be displayed during her exhibit at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook during December.
Photo of Pam Choquette, who is the artist of the month at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook, NH. Pam was the artist in residence for the Connecticut River Artisan Group (CRAG) during 2024.
Pam writes, “As the Artist in Residence I believe that I have embraced this challenge and shared my experiences that influence my art, and expanded connections with others in the community. I have defined new pathways in my art journey, and improved my skills. I look forward to sharing my unique viewpoint at Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, and the Tillotson Center and hope others are inspired to explore their inner art journey in the Great North Woods. The December exhibit consists of ten or more paintings which will reflect a diverse variety of abstract influences of the residency; to include plein air events, a large 30” x 48” moose festival community marks collage, and my studio compositions that show my connection with diverse mediums in abstract art.
I thank the Tillotson North Country Foundation and everyone who made this program possible, and all the people who participated and supported me in this journey. It was a wonderful opportunity and experience that provided rare insight into myself, and opened our awareness to the perspectives of others.”