Artistic habitats: artists open their homes and studios
By Steve Noble In 36 years as working artists in Vermont, Roger Sandes and Mary Welsh have learned to share their cozy, cluttered 432-square-foot studio, with each other – and with the ghosts of oxen past. Set in an old barn built around 1810, their studio, perched on a small hill overlooking the Rock River in Williamsville, was once part of a wool-carding mill that served local farmers during Vermont’s sheep-shearing heyday in...
Slow Living: Stimulating the senses to connect emotionally and spiritually
Slow Living. It’s the name of annual conference in Brattleboro, the Slow Living Summit, taking place this year June 4-6, presented by Strolling of the Heifers. And this year, it’s offering a unique and intriguing new format that combines the traditional spoken words of conference presenters with simultaneous interpretive contributions from a variety of artists. But first, what does Slow Living mean, exactly? “Slow” embodies the ideals...
Back from the brink: Three years after Irene, Whetstone Studios spring back to life
By Arlene Distler The Whetstone Brook curves along the southern edge of Brattleboro from the west, emptying into the Connecticut River. For a while Williams Street follows it, dotted with private homes and a business or two. Somewhat out of the way, the spot was perfect for a plumbing supply house, F W Webb. And it is perfect now as a budding outpost for the arts, alternative health practices, and community space. At the entrance a...
Original Chicken: Local farmer keeps traditional breeds alive and thriving
By Erica Ludlow Bowman Collectors come in many colors. They are humble hobbyists and erudite enthusiasts, gatherers of festive pants, cultivators of fancy plants, and all that comes between. At Taft Hill Farm in Windham, Vermont, they are keepers of the genus Gallus. Their flocks are descendants of the junglefowl, close relatives of the original chickens. They are in a league of their own. As curator of Taft Hill Farm in Windham,...
Green from gold: Human urine as a resource for sustainability
“When folks discover that recycling their pee can create rich soils, save water, and prevent pollution, they can get very excited. People are signing up right and left.” The Rich Earth Institute, a non-profit research and demonstration organization founded in 2012, is turning human urine to liquid gold. Lush, green hay thrives where this nutrient-rich source of fertilizer is applied by local farmers. Why human urine? Because it...
Spotlight: Newest Welcome Center introduces visitors to Vermont artists’ work
The newest Vermont State Welcome Center located in the middle of the interchange of routes 7 and 9 in Bennington has amazing views, a gorgeous interior, and an abundance of facilities for the public. In addition to the display cases and other information kiosks the Welcome Center also features an Art Wall. Each month a different artist is on display. Artists who have been featured include photographer John Giblo and artist Linda...
Wonderland of Innovation: A space for makers gets some takers
Ever imagine what it would be like to have access to a large space just for tinkering and making things with all of the hi-end equipment you might need like Laser Cutting and 3D printing? Burlington has developed just such a maker space for artists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and artisans. It’s called Generator and is 5,000 square feet of studios, tools, classroom and lounge located in the Annex of Memorial Auditorium. It also connects...
Spotlight: Roots on the River
Bellows Falls, June 5-8 — www.vermontfestivalsllc.com/ James McMurtry to Headline Roots on the River XV This year’s featured artist is James McMurtry, a Roots favorite with locals. McMurtry, an Austin, Texas, based singer and songwriter has been closely involved with curating the lineup in concert with Ray Massucco, concert promoter. Thursday will see the opening of the festival at 33 Bridge with Haley Reardon, an amazing teenage...
Spotlight: A Midsummer Night’s Prowl & Auction
July 19, 7 p.m. — Colgate Park, Route 9 West, Bennington http://www.catamountprowl.com or call 802-447-3311 Get your cattitude on! Vermont’s elusive mountain lions, the catamounts are awakening from hibernation and the Catamount Prowl will be let loose this spring and summer beginning May 18 at Colgate Park in Bennington, Vermont. This is a great opportunity to check them out before they are auctioned off at the Midsummer Night’s...
Spotlight: Manchester Antique & Classic Car Show
June 7 & 8 — http://034f961.netsolhost.com/wordpress1 Top 20 Vermont Event—Yankee Magazine —The premier Antique and Classic Car Show in Manchester & the Mountains celebrates 28 years of the best antique and classic cars, food vendors and flea market in the northeast! The show will be on the Dorr Farm on Route 30, just north of Manchester Center—a spectacular setting surrounded by the Green Mountains. Thousands of spectators...
A new partnership blossoms among colleges in Southern Vermont
Ellen McCullough-Lovell, president of Marlboro College, one of the institutions involved, said “the pact not only expands opportunities for students. It also reflects the colleges’ commitment to economic and work-force development.” The partnership is part of a multi-town effort to create better wages and job opportunities — and to keep young people from leaving Vermont. The idea is that internships will help students gain...
Talk of the Arts: Growing the arts in Vermont
By Steve Stettler Vermont is rightly proud of its identity as a farming state, today’s superb “Vermont-made” line of food products being just the latest manifestation. Scratch the surface, however, and you’ll find that the same striking if challenging landscape and the rugged individualism and sense of community that grew out of it have also provided fertile ground for artists. Think Robert Frost and Bread Loaf, David Mamet and...
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