What’s New

Painting by Frederick Faviano

Gander Gallery in Manchester Hosts Official Opening and Reception

The Gander Gallery, a new fine art gallery located at 4716B Main Street in Manchester Center, will host an opening reception on September 17, from 4 to 6 p.m. All are welcome. Owned by Manchester resident Adria Schozer, the Gander Gallery is dedicated to showcasing the work of both established and emerging regional artists, selected for their passion for creativity and excellence. Current gallery artists include Tim Allen, Victoria Blewer, Dale Sherman Blodget, Anna Dibble, Kelly Eberly, Michael D Ellenbogen, Fred Faviano, Marissa Girard, Rich Gombar, Judy Hawkins, Jim Llewelyn, Pamela Ann Marron and Alan Sofer.http://www.gandergallery.net.

Stone Walling Gets a New Booster

The Stone Trust, a still-young nonprofit, advances and preserves the art and craft of dry stone walling. Working closely with the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain (DSWA), The Stone Trust offers indoor and outdoor workshops for interested learners, certifies professional wallers and advocates for greater awareness about the many natural linkages to the art and history of America’s dry stone walls. The Trust believes there is a waller in every person. Working to become an international resource for all things ‘dry stone,’ The Trust seeks partnerships with preservation, green design, landscape architecture, civil engineering and historical societies. Headquartered at Scott Farm in Kipling Road in Dummerston, the Center is the only indoor dry stone wall teaching/training facility in North America.  http://www.thestonetrust.org.

Gallery Opens in Chester

For something a little different… contemporary modern art in an old New England carriage house. Presenting the dynamic abstract oil paintings of Scott J. Morgan at 244 Main Street behind the Hugging Bear. The retail gallery includes original oils on canvas, limited edition signed prints and a variety of gift items. Scott will be painting ‘live’ during the statewide fall Open Studio Weekend in October. http://www.watermusicart.com.

VTica Names New Board and Plans Open House

Seven Chester community members have joined the Board of Directors of the non-profit (pending) organization of the Vermont Institute of Contemporary Arts (VTica). A “construction-hat” community Open House is planned for the first weekend in October to coincide with the Chester Craft Fair. A Grand Opening is slated for May 5. The Board of Directors include: Robert Sarly, President; Abby Raeder, Executive Director; Ronald J Theissen, Treasurer; Debra Boudrieau; William Dakin Jr.; and Marji Graf. Sarly and Raeder, both of Andover, conceived the VTica concept more than a year ago. Their goal was to enhance the opportunities for contemporary artists in Vermont by providing exhibition and teaching facilities earning recognition of the artists by residents and visitors. http://www.vtica.org.

Performing Arts Space Grows in Putney

Next Stage Arts Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping art happen through the programming, development and operation of the 160 seat Next Stage theater, a performing arts facility. Committed to enhancing the village of Putney as a cultural center, Next Stage, located inside 15 Kimball Hill, already has a  full schedule of events including classical music concerts presented in partnership with the Yellow Barn Music Festival, and folk/rock concerts presented in cooperation with Twilight Music. Other programs include Next Stage Speaks, a spoken word series and films featured in the new Next Stage Cinema movie house with the series “Shrink Rap” hosted by Brattleboro based psychologist and author Dr. Martha Straus. Next Stage Arts Project also collaborates with the Putney Central School and the Putney Community Center to help make art happen in Putney. http://www.nextstagearts.org.