Marsha Zavez and I met in 2004. I was studying to become an art teacher at UNH, and spent a semester as an intern in Marsha’s k-8 art classroom at the North Hampton School. We clicked instantly; our mentor/intern days of lesson planning, student-art-show-installing and school-play-prop-painting play quickly evolved.

Marsha and I became art friends, going to Art Walks + Art Shows together, attending each other’s gallery openings, attending art conferences and even having studio/painting days together. Those are my favorite; her at an easel, me at a table, each of us working on a painting, maybe chatting, maybe peeking at each other’s progress, giving suggestions, or asking for advice on what to do or when to stop, definitely taking a break for a stroll, a coffee + a snack.

This June, after 20 years of art + friendship, Marsha and I will be exhibiting our artwork together in LIFE STILL : Celebrating the Ephemeral, a 2 person show at Inner Space Fine Arts. This show was conceived in the short, dark, cold days of February, when we both found ourselves fighting the winter blues by painting florals. Bright, colorful, joyful florals. Both of us obsessively buying bouquets of Market Basket tulips to fill our home, to photograph, to paint. It was these floral paintings, these celebrations of life renewed + in full bloom that were the impetus for our show.

The opening reception for LIFE STILL is Saturday, June 1 from 4-6pm at Inner Space Fine Arts. Marsha + I would love for you join us, to help us celebrate, and raise raise a glass to art, to friendship, to our art friendship.

Marsha, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am a working artist and an art teacher for grades 4-8 at North Hampton School where I’ve worked for 25 years. I grew up in Manchester, NH and in the summers my family often vacationed at Hampton Beach. Today, I am lucky enough to call Hampton my home. I love my life on the seacoast with my husband “Jimmy Z.” We know we live in a special place and appreciate our good fortune every day.

Most of my paintings are joyful reflections of my life at the coast. I paint the seascapes, the gulls hanging out on the wall, the wildlife and flowers in my yard, and even the silly turkeys in the road. I show my work at Valerie’s Gallery in Newburyport, MA, at the Newburyport Art Association and at juried shows throughout New England. I also sell work online at zavezart.com.

What has your path in education been like?

I was what is called a non-traditional college student. I was in my thirties before I went back to school for a degree. Before college I had some pretty fun and interesting jobs. I was an “interior landscaper” and watered plants in offices, malls and banks. I worked on a construction crew and built houses for 3 years (those skills came in handy when I designed and built the sets for the plays at NHS later on). I worked in customer service and did logo designs in print shops, and I was the assistant studio manager for a radio jingle company and even sang on some of the jingles. Those jobs were fine, but when I was growing up, I told people that I wanted to be an art teacher. It took a while, but it eventually happened.

At North Hampton School I have been the Visual Arts Teacher, the Arts Integration Specialist, Theater Instructor, and the Spring Musical Director. My years of on stage experience in community theater productions led to my “all things drama” position at school and I have loved being able to work with students and staff members in the art room and on the school stage.

What are your favorite parts of working in education? Of being an art teacher?

I really enjoy working with the kids. They make me smile. They create things I never would have thought to, and they keep me up to date on middle school current social media, sports and entertainment happenings. I know all the new Taylor Swift songs, the video games and memes of the moment. I understand what mewing is and I hear “sigma” all the time, although I don’t think I’ll ever get why Skibidi toilet is so hilarious.

I also love it when a student creates something they are super proud of. Art they didn’t think they could actually do. I like it when they make art discoveries “Mrs. Zavez, check this out…”, and when they choose to work together on a big project and I hear them planning, problem solving, asking the what if’s…”what if we did this…”. Sometimes when my husband and I watch the news and we get frustrated, I remember the kids at school and it gives me a little ray of hope that all is not lost.

And theater?

My favorite part of doing the play is seeing the excitement the kids have before a show; they are bursting with nervous energy. And then the pride they feel afterwards. It’s wonderful. To see them singing, dancing and acting together is magical. Theater builds their confidence and creates a sense of belonging and camaraderie that is so good for them.

What do you like to do outside of school?

I love to read, go to gallery and theater shows with friends, and work outside in the sunshine. I exercise at 5am every day and am lucky to be part of a great group of women that do strength training, cycle classes and bootcamp workouts on the beach. We started the beach workouts during COVID and have kept with them in the nicer weather. As a theater person, one of my favorite things to do is to go see a musical production with friends.

How did you and Amy come to know each other? Do you remember the first connection or your first meeting?

Amy was an art intern in my classroom at North Hampton School years ago. She was a bit older than the UNH students I’d normally had in class, and she was smart, confident, talented and very “together”. We got along really well, and kept in touch after she graduated.

What is the foundation of your friendship with Amy? How has your friendship evolved over the years?

Amy and I bonded over art. We still do. We are both makers. Sometimes art educators get so busy with their school lessons and teaching life that they don’t have time to make art of their own. I think that for Amy and I, creating our own work is essential to our core. Amy and I don’t see each other every week. Sometimes we go months without hanging out. But she is good at maintaining relationships, and I am working on that, too. One of us will eventually reach out and set up a studio visit or lunch date. It’s always great to catch up and maybe pop in the studio to buy some new jewelry!

Please tell us a bit about LIFE STILL, the show that you and Amy have been preparing for which will open on June 1. What is the theme of the show?

I was thrilled when Amy asked me to join her for a two person show. I love Amy and love her work, so it was an instant “Yes, please!” I’m excited too, to exhibit in a new gallery - Inner Space Fine Arts in North Reading, Mass. We wanted to create a show that celebrates the fresh awakening of the spring season; things that will ultimately move or change, but that we capture in our work in that moment. Florals are a big part of the show. They represent new growth and ephemeral beauty.

What has it been like for you to paint for an exhibition of your work? Does it change what and how you normally paint?

Getting ready for this show was exciting. I had recently started adding more collage bits to my work, and had completed a couple of new acrylic and collage florals. I was looking forward to making more and seeing where it would take me. I enjoy the immediacy of painting from life and bought lots of flowers to keep in my studio. I discovered that for me, the collage parts can’t be planned ahead of time. I paint the flowers and then, when and if the work “needs something”, I rummage through my old art books, sheet music, magazines, wallpaper books and whatever else I have laying around and add color and texture. The “let’s see if this works” part of it all is really fun for me. However, me being me, I did paint a couple of bunnies and gull pieces, too. They embody spring in my little world and I couldn’t leave them out.

How do you think your work and Amy's work will complement each other?

Amy’s encaustics are completely different from my work. They are beautifully elegant with a smoothness that is dignified. But, I believe that our color choices, subject matter and skill level will work together to create a unified exhibit that will be stunning.

What pieces of Amy’s jewelry can you be seen wearing? Do you have a favorite?

Um, the better question might be, “what pieces of Amy’s jewelry are you NOT wearing?” I am one of her best customers! My favorites definitely change. Right now, I tend to like the threaders. I also like the simple hoops like the Angle and Apex Hoops. They are so lightweight and classy looking. I do have my eye on the Iya Hoops (I’ll be in for those soon, Amy). I wear my Uma Rings every day, and ordered the Cavo Necklace which I’m sure will be worn all the time too. My jewelry box is filled with Amy’s creations. It’s fun in the morning to choose which ones I’ll wear for the day. When I want to make a statement, I rock my Kon Dangles and feel invincible.

How are you most often seen wearing this?

All of Amy’s jewelry works for me with jeans, boots or sneakers and fun colorful tops - My standard art teacher attire. (Which is also my “out about town wear” too. I’m not ultra fancy.)

Is jewelry the first thing you think about or the last thing you adorn with when it comes to outfitting for the day?

I don’t worry about finding jewelry to go with my outfits, because I have something of Amy’s for every occasion. I choose my outfit, check in my jewelry boxes and come up with the perfect work(s) of art to complement my look.Thanks Amy!

Thank you so much for reading our latest installment of As Seen On and learning more about Marsha. Our show LIFE STILL will be featured at Inner Space Fine Arts, 189 Main Street in North Reading, Mass for the month of June. The Opening Reception is on Saturday, June 1, 4-6pm. All are welcome and we would love for you to join us!

And ASO readers, please enjoy 20% off of Marsha’s favorite AVE styles through the end of June. Discount is automatically taken at checkout.

If you or someone you know wears AVE jewelry and is interested in being featured in our “Ode to the Wearers", please reach out. I’d love to learn more about you and what you wear.

As Seen On : Marsha Zavez

As Seen On : Kate Delaney

As Seen On : Annie Etling