Green Alliance Continues Artist in Residency Program

By Amanda Taitel
Green Alliance Writer

The Green Alliance offices in historic downtown Portsmouth host their fifth artist, Lenka Flaherty, as part of Green Alliance’s Artist and Residency program. Flaherty, a gifted photographer, said she finds her inspiration in the natural environment. She describes finding her enthusiasm for photography as she traveled throughout Europe with her parents as a young child.

“I used to love to watch my parents take pictures, and would love when I got to push the buttons myself,” she said.

Today Flaherty does much more than push buttons on a camera, her talent as well as her passion for photography is evident in her work.

Raised in the Czech Republic where she earned her Masters degree in Environmental Engineering, Flaherty moved to the United States in 2003. She pursued her passion for photography by continuing her education at the New Hampshire Institute of Art in Manchester. Although Flaherty never received a degree in photography, it is not an accurate reflection on her natural skill and eye for photography, which is evidenced by her work.

As friends and family took notice of Flaherty's breath-taking work they started asking her to do portraits of their children and hired her for weddings. Flaherty, modest in her success and talent, at first declined. It was her impression she would look unprofessional without a degree in the medium. However Flaherty's opinion changed as she started to work for friend's weddings and she was able to build a portfolio and market herself as a professional photographer. Flaherty soon realized the joy of wedding photography.

“I love it, I love everything about it, it's such a happy day and special event for everyone involved,” she said. 

Flaherty took workshops from Kevin Focht, Doug Gordon and David Ziser, a few of the most recognized wedding photographers in the United States.

As her market for wedding and baby photography continues to grow her heart still lies with the nature and travel photography that first spurned a love for the medium. 

“I love the power that travel photography has on making us realize how other people live, how beautiful the world is, and how we need to conserve what we have to make the world as healthy as possible,” she said. “You can go to a place, capture it, bring it and show it to others, sharing other parts of the world with them." 

The Artist in Residence Program is one of Green Alliance’s recent undertakings, inspired by the talented artists of the seacoast. The goal of this program is not only to give exposure to artists that participate in environmentally themed work, but also to link local artists to the Green Alliance network, as well as with the community.

 “For me it was a pleasure to work with the Green Alliance, see what they do and be part of such a great program," said Flaherty. "From my background in Environmental Engineering I was always into green businesses, alternative energies, and so I am a big fan of the Green Alliance.”

Residents who visit the gallery and are not yet members can join the Green Alliance by signing up in the offices for their Green Card Membership. The memberships allows cardholders to access exclusive discounts to Flaherty’s wall pieces as well as products and services at over 100 other local green businesses. The Green Alliance is currently searching for the next Artist in Residence, and encourages all local artists to apply.

The Green Alliance Gallery is open during Green Alliance office hours: Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. The Green Alliance's office and gallery is located at 75 Congress Street and boasts high ceilings, beautiful natural light and 1,000 square feet of potential gallery space. 

For more info on the Green Alliance Artist In Residence program contact Director, Sarah Brown: sarah@greenalliance.biz, or visit www.greenalliance.biz/call-artists