Cindy Rizza and her friends thought she had made a big sale when they saw that three of Rizza’s colorful lawn chair paintings were missing from Three Graces Gallery during Friday night’s ‘Art ‘Round Town’ event. Unfortunately, while the paintings did have a new owner, that person had chosen to walk out of the gallery with them without paying the $600 they were being sold for.
Art ‘Round Town is a monthly event in Portsmouth, NH meant to promote local art galleries and the local artists they support. It is a free event, filled with conversation, food, and art. Thefts during ‘art ‘round town’ are rare if not unheard of.
Kim Ferreira, owner of Three Graces Gallery, has turned to Facebook and the local community in hopes of recovering the three paintings. While there has been a lot of sympathy for Ferreira, the gallery owner, and Rizza, the artist, so far there have been no leads in the painting thefts. On the Three Graces Gallery Facebook page Ferreira admitted that she almost didn’t post about the theft because of her embarrassment over the situation but that she is so grateful for the outpouring of support.
"The positive thing that has come out of this is the amazing amount of support we are receiving from our friends and the community," Ferreira said, before adding that she doesn’t think the paintings will be returned.
Online comments about the theft of Rizza’s paintings have ranged from sympathy for the artist and gallery, to artist’s sharing their own art theft horror stories. Many have expressed worry that this theft will discourage artists from wanting to show their work in Portsmouth’s thriving art scene.
Rizza, a Manchester resident who originally hails from Maine, has suggested to the Three Graces Gallery that they hold a fundraiser to help earn back the cost of the paintings. Sales of artwork are typically shared by the artist and gallery, which means the theft has effected both Rizza and Ferreira financially. In an effort to lessen the effects of this theft Rizza has created signed and numbered limited edition prints of the stolen works that will be on sale at Three Graces Gallery.
Three Graces Gallery is located at 105 Market Street in Portsmouth, NH. The missing paintings by Cindy Rizza measure 6X6 and can be seen here. If you have any information about Friday evening’s art theft please contact the gallery or the Portsmouth police.
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