Friday, Aug. 11, 5 p.m.—RUTLAND—Explore Downtown Rutland and kick off an art-filled weekend with the Rutland Art Walk Friday, Aug. 11, 5-8 p.m. A collective of artists have all planned to open their gallery doors with light refreshments on hand for one night to highlight the growing and thriving visual arts scene in Rutland.
While the public is invited to celebrate the opening of two temporary “fly-by” galleries after the successful run of SPACE Rutland Pop Up Art Gallery, it is also hosting closing receptions for three of the current exhibitions around downtown.
At the Castleton University Bank Gallery, Christine Holzschuh will greet first time or returning visitors to her small works show, “Go Figure!” for one more night.
Around the corner to the right, stop by SPACE’s closing reception to listen to musician Dave Burns play classical guitar and interact with artists from the “Transport” show; around the corner to the left, you’ll find Mary Fran Lloyd at the Castleton Downtown Gallery inviting answers to, “The Abstract Eye: Do you see what I see?”
Meet Josh “x-Mo” Morse and Roscoe Stark at Fly-By I on Merchants Row with their street-style art and, across the street, see Fran Bull’s drawings on display at Fly-By II, the former site of the Bookmobile.
Bill Ramage will welcome the public to the “Ideal City” (Rutland drawing) at the Castleton Downtown Gallery II in the Opera House, where visitors may further step inside his mind. “I’ve witnessed it many times in many cities, big and small: the more art that can thrive in a community, the more that community’s sense of well-being will thrive, and it will follow, the more that community will thrive,” said Ramage.
Arlene O’Connor and Evie Towsley will be opening the Timco Gallery on Center Street, too. With a total of seven galleries, as well as permanent murals, people may agree with Jim Lowe, the Rutland Herald’s art editor, that “there are more galleries in Rutland than any other city in the state of Vermont.”
In addition to the self-directed Art Walk (maps available at each gallery), there will be an optional guided tour lead by Oliver Schemm to depart from the Castleton Bank Gallery at 6 p.m.
While downtown preparing to mosey along the Art Walk, check out the newest student mural in the courtyard of Community College of Vermont (CCV) and watch a Middle Eastern Dance performance under the overhang at 5:30 p.m.
Enjoy the evening touring the artwork sprinkled throughout downtown Rutland. This event is free and open to the public. To complete the arts weekend, don’t miss Art in the Park in support of the Chaffee Arts Center. Rutland is becoming an important place for the arts — don’t miss this once-in-a-Rutland experience!
