Roger Goldenberg is an accomplished sculptor, painter, printmaker, and educator whose art blends rhythm, movement, and color into a language he calls Visual Jazz. Over four decades, his creative journey has evolved into a unique exploration of sound, science, and spirituality through visual form. His practice reflects an artist deeply engaged with the world intellectually, emotionally, and environmentally.
Education and Early Influences
Goldenberg’s academic path is as diverse and layered as his artwork. He earned an MFA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1995 and both a BFA and a BS in Geology from the University of New Hampshire in 1991. This combination of art and science has become a defining element in his creative vision.
Before dedicating himself entirely to art, he pursued several careers that enriched his understanding of structure and form. He worked as a geologist, took part in Antarctic research expeditions, and later became a self-employed cabinetmaker and historic restorationist. These early experiences shaped his appreciation for materials, precision, and the physical act of making values that continue to anchor his work today.
A Lifelong Educator and Arts Advocate
Goldenberg has always believed in the power of education to inspire creativity. Over the years, he has taught in community centers, colleges, and public schools, sharing his technical skills and passion for discovery with students of all ages. His teaching encourages experimentation, curiosity, and a hands-on relationship with the creative process.
Beyond teaching, he has played a significant role in supporting arts organizations throughout New England. He has served on three nonprofit boards: the Portsmouth Cultural Commission, where he was Vice President; the Portsmouth Music and Art Center; and The Dance Hall in Kittery, Maine. Through these leadership roles, he has helped promote collaboration and accessibility in the arts, ensuring that creativity remains a vital part of community life.
Recognition and Artistic Memberships
Goldenberg’s dedication to his craft and to arts education has earned him recognition across New Hampshire and beyond. He is a juried member of several respected organizations, including the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts Artist/Teacher Roster, the Ogunquit Art Association, the New Hampshire Art Association, and, most recently, the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen.
These affiliations reflect not only his professional achievements but also his continued commitment to engaging with the broader artistic community. They serve as a testament to his reputation as both a maker and a mentor.
Visual Jazz: Art in Motion
At the core of Roger Goldenberg’s creative philosophy lies his concept of Visual Jazz. In this approach, he infuses the improvisational energy of jazz music into visual form. Much like a musician composing on the spot, Goldenberg works intuitively, allowing rhythm, color, and structure to guide his hand.
His paintings, monotypes, and kinetic sculptures are filled with vitality and motion. They move beyond representation, embodying rhythm and balance through shape and hue. Each piece becomes a performance, a visual melody that captures the spontaneity and emotion of music.
For Goldenberg, making art is not a rigid process but a living, evolving conversation between idea and execution. This spirit of improvisation is what gives his work its pulse and immediacy.
The Intersection of Art and Science
Goldenberg’s dual background in art and geology allows him to perceive the world through both analytical and aesthetic lenses. His understanding of natural structures, the layering of rock formations, the erosion of surfaces, and the dynamic shifts of landscapes finds visual expression in his compositions.
This connection between scientific observation and artistic intuition gives his work a distinctive voice. His abstract forms often echo geological patterns and natural processes, while his approach to movement and rhythm reflects the fluid unpredictability of the natural world. Through this synthesis, he bridges the gap between art and science, order and improvisation.
Homage to the Earth: Meditation and Movement
Among Goldenberg’s most profound projects is the Homage to the Earth series, which examines humanity’s relationship with nature and the challenges of climate change. Within this series, Capriccio stands out as a powerful reflection on ecological balance. The title, which refers to a lively and free musical composition, perfectly captures the energy and unpredictability of the planet.
Inspired by Tibetan prayer flags, these works embody both movement and mindfulness. Just as prayer flags release blessings into the wind, Goldenberg’s kinetic pieces seem to breathe with rhythm and spirit. Each artwork functions as a meditation an offering of awareness, hope, and renewal for a fragile Earth.
Through layered textures and shifting forms, Homage to the Earth expresses both reverence and urgency. It invites viewers to reflect on their connection to the environment, reminding us that art can serve as both a celebration and a call to action.
The Maker’s Spirit
Goldenberg describes himself as a maker, a term that encapsulates his lifelong devotion to the act of creating. Whether painting, constructing a sculpture, or experimenting with new materials, he finds joy in the process itself. The rhythm of making hands in motion, ideas evolving, defines his identity as an artist.
Working from his home studio in Claremont, New Hampshire, he continues to expand his artistic vocabulary. Each new work builds upon decades of exploration while remaining open to change and improvisation. Like jazz, his art is a conversation without end, vibrant, dynamic, and alive.
In his teaching, community engagement, and creative practice, Roger Goldenberg embodies the rhythm of creativity. His art transforms the unseen energy of sound and thought into form, reminding us that the act of making is both a reflection of the world and a way of understanding it.
