By Peter Huntoon
This year, Spring Open Studio Weekend, May 27-28, is comprised of a network of 181 visual arts sites located all across Vermont that are open to the public for the weekend. Twenty-four are galleries, educational organizations, or community arts organizations. One hundred and fifty-seven are artists’ studios. Visitors can use our map booklet to create their own self-guided tour depending on their interests.
Visitors develop a deeper appreciation for the visual arts profession by being able to ask questions and view a skilled demonstration of techniques. They gain insight into the “life of an artist” by visiting studios, often located on the artist’s property, allowing the visitor to see where and how artists create their work. Many artists live in a creative environment or put another way, many artists bring their creativity into their studios and homes. To be an artist means that you are also a visual problem solver with a sense of design.
In Middletown Springs, several veteran artists return.
David Munyak’s education in design, a lifetime of experience working with wood in many forms, and strict attention to detail allow David to create elegant woodturnings and other wood objects for the home and office. Visit davidmunyak.com.
Rising Meadow Pottery is complete with studios, kilns, teaching facility and gallery. Influenced by historical pottery, the diverse region and natural environment, and the pottery’s garden, the work, form and function, calls for everyday use and enjoyment. Nicholas Seidner and Diane Rosenmiller welcome visitors. Visit risingmeadowpottery.com.
Vermont artist Peter Huntoon will feature several new original paintings, along with his complete collection of limited edition prints. Huntoon will be on hand all weekend painting up a storm in his hilltop studio. Visit peterhuntoon.com.
Karen Deets Stained Glass will be open at 728 Moscow Rd., Fair Haven. Enjoy a peek and see some of the secret techniques used in creating a diverse array of glass items including panels with fired paintwork, fused jewelry and so much more. Get a free lesson on glass cutting, while enjoying homemade cookies. They have chickens and a sweet rooster, so please keep dogs leashed. Parking is plentiful.
In South Windsor County, visitors are welcome to visit Stone-Revival Gallery and Gifts, 1354 Vt. Route 100, Stockbridge; Frog Song Designs, 1880 River St., Gaysville; and continue to Bethel for a couple others.
In Ludlow, Fletcher Farm School for the Arts & Crafts opens the doors to the barn and local artists will exhibit, demonstrate and sell their art. Multiple artists will be located in one building and will demonstrate several arts and crafts: rug hooking, needle felting, painting, basketry, jewelry, primitive stenciling, necktie chair seat weaving, making birch baskets, quilting, and more. Everyone is invited to learn about the many classes offered this summer. Doors will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the center of the barn at Fletcher Farm School, 611 Route 103 South, Ludlow.
The VAULT, located at 68 Main St., Springfield, is all about birds this year, and bird carver Philip Morgan will be carving his bird backscratchers in the gallery on May 27, 12-5 p.m. The studio will also feature glass birds, bird prints, and more avian art during the weekend.
Galleries are too many to list, with sites lining Rutland and Windsor counties locally, and statewide. Visitors can pick up a map booklet with locations of all open site at any participating studio or gallery, at tourist information centers on interstates 89 and 91, or online at vermontcrafts.com. Remember to look for the yellow open studio signs to signify participating galleries.
Photo courtesy of Karen Deets
Stained glasswork is the forte of Karen Deets, Fair Haven artist that will welcome the public to her studio tucked away in the foothills of the Taconic Mountains in Bomoseen State Park.
