MANCHESTER, NH.- The Currier Museum of Art is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Since its creation a century ago, the museum has welcomed over a million visitors and displayed internationally significant works of art. This legacy of creativity has inspired generations of New Hampshire citizens as well as visitors from around the world.

The Currier Museum was the dream of New Hampshire’s 49th governor, Moody Currier, and his wife Hannah. Although they were not art collectors, the couple left their estate to set up a museum for the benefit of the public. On February 19, 1919, the New Hampshire legislature voted to officially create the “Currier Gallery of Art.” The Curriers’ home on Beech Street is the site of what is today the Currier Museum of Art.

“The Currier Museum was created by a selfless act of generosity a hundred years ago. The museum’s art and creativity has touched many lives since that time,” said Alan Chong, the museum’s director. “And we are planning new connections with our community. Our free (and fun!) events for the public are accompanied by programs for Alzheimer’s patients and those affected by the opioid abuse crisis. We are also thinking intently about our surrounding landscape, as well as our ties to Nashua and other parts of New Hampshire.”

There have been many milestones for the Currier Museum of Art over the past one hundred years. In 1929 the museum’s first building opened to the public. In 2008 an extensive renovation took place that more than doubled the state-of-the-art museum space. Over the years, the museum, has collected significant works of art, presented exhibitions of high quality, and established lasting ties with the community. The museum received critical acclaim internationally for launching The Art of Hope, an innovative program dedicated to helping those impacted by the opioid crisis.

The Currier Museum will celebrate its 100 years of community impact with a gala event to take place on Saturday, March 30. Proceeds will help fund free community art programs for the public.

This spring the museum will present the special exhibition Ubuhle Women: Beadwork and the Art of Independence which showcases striking works made of glass beads. This art form was developed by a community of women living and working together in rural South Africa.