Blog: What's new and on my mind

The Portsmouth Public Art Review Committee
& Portsmouth Recreation Department
cordially invite you to join us to

Re-dedicate the fibre-artwork
"Each One: The Button Project 9/11 Memorial"
with artist Sarah Haskell

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 10 am
Community Campus (100 Campus Drive)

“Each One: The Button Project, a 9/11 Memorial”

After 9/11, the textile artist Sarah Haskell of York ME wanted to create “something that lasts, while the memories fade.” The result was “Each One: The Button Project."

Sarah Haskell’s artwork incorporates regimented rows of 3,116 – one for each life lost -- bone-colored buttons lined up across the dark linen handwoven backdrop as an abstract representation of the Twin Towers.

The piece was displayed at the Currier Museum in 2002; then in 2011, the Portsmouth City Council voted to use gifted funds to purchase the artwork in honor and recognition of Evelyn Sirrell, who was Mayor from 1997-2005, including on September 11, 2001.

In 2017, the September 11th Memorial and Museum in New York City asked to borrow the piece, where it was displayed until September 2019 when it returned to City Hall.

The piece has just been installed in the atrium of the Portsmouth Community Campus main building, where the re-dedication will take place.

Each One: The Button Project when it was first installed in Council Chambers at City Hall. Then-Councilor Chris Dwyer, left and artist Sarah Haskell, right.

For more information, please visit Each One: The Button Project

It feels like it has been a hot minute since I last posted here. The holidays, New Years and then January came in like a freight train. Usually for me January is a blessed reprise from the busyness of life. Snow days, no holidays that require gifts, usually no travel. However this January feels different.

For one thing - we have SNOW! But along with that - extremely frigid temps. Alas this is good for indoors time in the studio and dye lab.

My studio time has focused on picking up the threads of my Xoa project. I have been sampling cyanotype on my hand-woven linen. Plus the handwoven reproduction of Great 5X Aunt Xoa’s coverlet pattern. I am still in a steep learning curve figuring out how to adjust the color with distilled water, maybe try toning afterwards and adjusting the length of exposure time. Some of my samples here.

Winter in Maine requires patience, fortitude, stamina and resources. I am fortunate and grateful to have these. Every morning I light some incense and give thanks to my ancestors for my ability to be here. I have much to be thankful for.

If you are local - come to the George Marshall Store Gallery February 19 for a community art event - the making of a York River Community Mandala. I would love to see, meet and create with each you.