Amherst Seeks Residents for New School's Public Art Panel
With the State Primary Election looming Tuesday and schools set to reopen this week, town departments and the library are turning attention to a handful of civic and cultural openings, including a new call for volunteers on a public art panel and a library card promotion tied to the new school year.
TOWN HALL
The Town of Amherst is seeking residents to serve on the Percent for Art Advisory Committee, a time-limited body tasked with helping select public art for the new elementary school at 70 South East Street. Officials said interested residents should submit a Community Activity Form, with applications reviewed beginning September 1.
Separately, the town's downtown parking permit season opens September 1 and runs through May 31, with applications now available online. The Community Preservation Act Committee also continues to accept applications for housing, historic preservation, open space, and recreation projects, due by October 16.
SCHOOLS
Amherst Public Schools continue preparations for the delayed opening of Amherst Regional Middle School and Chestnut Street Academy, which begins Monday, August 31, following disruptions from a roof repair and renovation project. Windermere Elementary is also planning a "Popsicles with Principals" event Saturday, August 29, offering free popsicles and informal conversation for families ahead of the new year.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Amherst Town Library is marking Library Card Sign-Up Month starting September 1, inviting residents to sign up for a new card, refer a friend, or renew an existing one for entry into a raffle featuring tickets to the New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra, a library T-shirt, tote bag, and mug.
The library's fall calendar is also filling in, with "Let's Play Mahjong!" sessions returning Thursday, September 3 and September 17 at 2 p.m., and a Friends of the Library Open House scheduled for September 10. A Presidential Series program on William Henry Harrison with doodler Heather Rogers is set for September 11 at 10:30 a.m.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Doug Colligan - Daily Hampshire Gazette" reports the death of longtime Amherst resident Doug Colligan, 82, who died at home under hospice care on August 17, according to the Daily Hampshire Gazette (read it at https://gazettenet.com/2026/08/29/obit-doug-colligan-212121772/).
COMING UP
The Amherst Town Library hosts "Let's Play Mahjong!" Thursday, September 3 at 2 p.m. Windermere Elementary's "Popsicles with Principals" event is set for Saturday, August 29. Amherst Regional Middle School and Chestnut Street Academy reopen Monday, August 31. The Downtown Parking Permit application window opens September 1, and the Percent for Art Advisory Committee begins reviewing applications the same day. Community Preservation Act grant applications are due October 16.
Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.