Arts

Arts section

“Here We Are” with Elena Dodd

by Wendy O'Connell | Arts

Elena Harap Dodd talks about her childhood experiences of segregation in the south, and how that has informed her focus on inclusivity in her acting, writing and collaborations. She co-founded “Streetfeet Women”, a muti-racial, multi-cultural women’s writing and acting group which is still going strong after 40 years – and with a newly published book!

The Simple Gift of Open Mic

by RDavis | Arts

We live in a world that pushes for bigger and better where other people try to determine what is best for us. In our little corner of the world in southern Vermont most of us know better and we determine our own standards on our own terms. That is especially true in the town of Brattleboro.

Music provides a good example of what I am talking about. Our area is blessed with an abundance of gifted musicians. Some have risen to the level of star status, but most are happy to live life on their own terms in a place that they feel welcomes them.

New Works by Edward Kingsbury III at Gallery in the Woods

by Gallery in the Woods | Arts

Brattleboro, VT – Edward Kingsbury III’s new works are featured at Gallery in the Woods for the month of August with an opening during Gallery Walk on Friday, August 6 from 5:30 – 8 PM. Kingsbury is a self-taught artist who works in many mediums. His artistic process is informed by a deeply prayerful, meditative life.

In 1997 he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and he found making art to be therapeutic as it serves the purpose of connecting at a deep level with the mystery and acceptance. He describes his work as a conversation with God, allowing the process to happen organically without preconceptions. He has been known for highly detailed abstract, black and white, stream-of-consciousness drawings.

Brattleboro-West Arts: Fresh New Exhibit at Brooks House Atrium Hallway Gallery

by clann | Arts

BRATTLEBORO:   The Atrium Hallway Gallery in the Brooks House has a fresh new look for spring, with an exhibit spotlighting the artwork of four members of Brattleboro-West Arts.

Titled New Passage, the ongoing show’s latest offerings demonstrate the diverse talents of BWA members, from Kay Curtis’s bright and active Swing Dance series of drypoint monoprints to Bobbi Angell’s detailed and elegant botanicals to Sharon Myers’s handsome prints using lingerie to Lesley Heathcote’s closely observed and beautifully rendered animal and bird pastels.

Town Arts Fund Grantees Announced

by cgrotke | Arts

The Arts Council of Windham County announced some recent grantees and the projects that are being funded:

“The 2021 TAF Grantees include:

Puppet Companions (Shoshana Bass, Sandglass Theater) Sandglass Theater and Garden Path Elder Living team up to combat loneliness, promote creativity, and inspire story telling in residential care facilities through the magic of puppetry. Sandglass will create a collection of inviting puppets and accessories, along with a series of guided play suggestions for residents at Holton Home and Bradley House. Puppet makers will also bring Sandglass puppeteers and puppets for window visits with residents.

Sandglass’ Winter Sunshine Series Goes Virtual

by SandglassTheater | Arts

Putney, Vermont- This year Sandglass’ Winter Sunshine series is going virtual to bring family fun right into the coziness of your home. Throughout March, Winter Sunshine series will present the work of regional performance artists with weekly performances and activities including: a puppet show, a workshop, two family activities, online engagement and, during the final week, an invitation to light up your community in the dark winter months with a Lantern Parade.

Keeping Local Arts Alive At The Latchis

by Lise | Arts, Culture
Latchis Theatre Marquee

Like many of us, I’ve been staying safe during the pandemic and not participating too much in social events.  But I still stay in the loop with as many local organizations as I can.  Many of us with a connection to the arts worry that public performance art — of which cinema is one — may be busted back to the stone age, to put it bluntly, by our inability to gather in groups and the lack of funding that results.  The Latchis finds itself in this boat, and while they continue to show films under all the current rules for safe gathering in theatres, they have obviously taken a hit.    

Lately, I’ve been enjoying their newsletters wherein Jon Potter, director of Latchis Arts, tells it like it is to his audience of people who like movies, music, and dance.  His most recent letter, which came out January 14, notes that arts groups are starting to regroup as it were, as we all adjust to the new circumstances we find ourselves in.  Adapt or die, is pretty much the story, and artists are trying to do that.  

Virtual Putney Craft Tour

by primedaisy | Arts

Shop the Annual Putney Craft Tour Collection from the comfort of your home: 19 Artisans…3 Days Glass blowers, Potters, Jewelers, Weavers, Painters, Woodworkers – even Artisan Cheesemakers, and Winemakers. Crafters will open their virtual studio doors, offering video demonstrations, personal shopping experiences and studio visits via Zoom. Some artists are scheduling in person studio visits or virtual video chats by appointment. Shops open: Fri, Nov 27 at 10:00 a.m. sharp through Sun, Nov 29 at 5:00 p.m. In the meantime, shoppers are free to browse the site and discover more about Vermont’s most accomplished artisans.

Celebrate Men’s Day

by Namaya | Arts

Celebrate Life: Viva La Vida by Namaya Art Rat Peace

To all the loving men in my life, who have inspired and nurtured me. Thank you all. Happy Men’s Day. #MensDay. from my book “Celebrate Life: Viva La Vida”

“Naches: The Pride One has in their Children”

Vermont Arts Council and Vermont Humanities COVID-19 Relief

by Not Signed In | Arts

MONTPELIER, VT—Arts and humanities organizations in Vermont facing hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic can now apply for emergency relief funding through a new partnership between the Vermont Arts Council and Vermont Humanities.

The new COVID-19 Cultural Relief Grant Program is seeded with more than $700,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020.

Grant awards are based on organization size:

Annual operating budgets of up to $200,000: $5,000.
Annual operating budgets between $200,000 and $750,000: $7,500
Annual operating budget larger than $750,000: $10,000

Mitchell-Giddings Fine Arts Responds to COVID 19

by Mitchell • Giddings FIne Arts | Arts

Following advice and common sense, Mitchell-Giddings has made the difficult decision to temporarily close our doors until further notice even as we remain open online for purchases and gallery activities (or at 802-251-8290).

We gladly welcome scheduled gallery visits by appointment.

I AM…2020 Important Update – Rescheduled for May 2021

by brattevents1 | Arts

IMPORTANT UPDATE ABOUT : I AM…2020 – The Statewide Exhibition
Coming to Southern Vermont (Posted to the Calendar for May 1 – May 31)
*NOW RESCHEDULED FOR MAY 2021*

Given the current landscape with COVID-19 we want to be cautious and will be rescheduling the I AM… exhibition to coincide with Diversity Day celebrations in May 2021. If you have questions, please inbox curator, Shanta Lee Gander.

Can Word, Language, and/or Poetry be Possible Pathways to Compassion?

by brattevents1 | Arts

This question is being explored in an event taking place on Wednesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. at the Brooks Memorial Library as a part of the Compassionate Brattleboro discussion series.

If we look closely at the words we are bringing together within the title of this discussion, compassion has its Latin roots com- together with + pati to suffer which means suffering together. A poet, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, a poet is: “writer of verse distinguished by particular insight, inspiration, or sensibility, or by remarkable powers of imagination, creativity, or expression…” There are many key words, one of them being sensibility from sensibili or the French etymology, both linking to the senses and feeling.

Announcing The 2020 Brattleboro Town Arts Fund Grantees

by Not Signed In | Arts

ACWC is pleased to announce the award of $15,000 through the Brattleboro Town Arts Fund to support six community-focused creative initiatives. The six grantees were selected from a competitive field of 39 proposals received in this first year of the Town Arts Fund (TAF) program. View the full press release.

The 2020 TAF grantees are:

Art for Social Change Program at River Gallery School 2020

by JessWeitz | Arts

The River Gallery School of Art has received funding from The Wolf Kahn and Emily Mason Foundation, The Vermont Community Foundation, Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, The Anne Slade Frey Fund, and the Windham Foundation to continue their Art for Social Change Program. The program, which started in 2019 focuses on the healing aspects of art and mindfulness for marginalized populations, community caregivers and the general public. The emphasis of these classes, offered free of charge, is not on art technique but offering an opportunity to play with art materials in a relaxed, supportive environment.

Lunar New Year of China, Korea, and Vietnam

by ACCVT | Arts

Asian Cultural Center of Vermont (ACCVT) celebrates the Lunar New Year of China, Korea and Vietnam Sunday, January 26thth, 1-3:00. You don’t have to be Asian or know anything about Asia to participate! Join us at the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center to usher in the year of the White Metal Rat. The Rat is the first sign in the Chinese zodiac, and it marks new beginnings, fresh hope, and rising excitement.

The Root Brings Award-Winning Producer & Artist Daniel Laurent to 118 Elliot, Saturday 12/14 at 7PM

by Desmond Peeples | Arts

Please join The ROOT’s Youth 4 Change and BIPOCC in welcoming Daniel Laurent, Boston-based artist and award-winning producer of the short documentary & music Video OUTSIDE. This will be an unplugged-type event with screening of the 20 min film, Artist’s Talk, Live Performance, Q&A and a community discussion on creative, therapeutic, and artistic responses to violence.

Mount Island Announces the Lucy Terry Prince Prize

by brattevents1 | Arts

If you are not a poet, but know someone who might be interested, please re-share. This prize honors the life of Lucy Terry Prince who was an orator, activist, and first known African American poet in the U.S. This prize is being judged by celebrated poet Major Jackson who has authored five books of poetry collections and received a range of fellowships. Any individual who is a poet of color hailing from or living in a rural place is welcome to apply.