Backstage at the Rainbow Cattle Co.

Opening Celebration, February 23,2013

The Drag Queens of Dummerston, Vermont grew out of a two-year project during which photographer Evie Lovett passed many hours backstage at the Rainbow Cattle Co., a gay bar on a rural strip of Route 5 in Dummerston, Vermont, just north of Brattleboro.

Once a month at the Rainbow Cattle Co., Miss Kitty Rawhide, Miss Candi Schtick, Miss Sophia Penelope Precious, Miss Mercedes Roulette and Miss Mama Mayhem transformed from their everyday lives as nurse, C&S executive, Vermont Yankee manager, Target employee and became glamorous, glittering drag queens for a night of performance.

For Evie the photographic project was personally transformative: “Ultimately, I came to deeply respect these men (and one woman) for being in touch with who they are. Drag for them is a means to explore creativity and a sense of fun. Knowing them has prompted me to ask myself: how do I let my hair down?”.

Backstage at the Rainbow Cattle Co. has toured to Boston, New York, Phnom Penh (as part of Cambodia’s fifth Gay Pride Week) and Cape Cod.The current exhibition was organized by the Vermont Folklife Center and incorporates audio from interviews of the five main members of the troupe conducted by Evie Lovett and Greg Sharrow of the Vermont Folklife Center.

Animation Film Screening

Thursday, December 6, 2012
Join the Summer Animation Camp students as they premier their animation film at VAE’s Sage Street Mill.
The film begins at 7 pm in the Basement.

Ranging in age from 8 to 18, the young artists explored stop-motion animation techniques using a variety of materials and styles. The evening will feature fresh popped popcorn to accompany the screening. Join us in our celebration!

Fall Fling!

Friday, November 9, 2012
Dinner, art and libations, 6pm
Grupo los Santos, featuring Rumba tapper Max Pollak, 8pm (doors open, 7:30pm) Order tickets online

Please join us for an evening filled with great food, art, music and friends. All proceeds from this event will support the arts programming that VAE provides for our community.

The evening will begin with a dinner made by a team of North Bennington culinary artisans, plus a great silent auction, and special opening of Annual Group Show and Sale of area artists. At 8:00 pm, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian roots jazz will take the Basement stage with Grupo los Santos featuring Max Pollak, Rumba tapper (a melding of Afro-Cuban music and dance, American jazz, body percussion, and tap dance).

Tickets are $60 per person, including dinner and drinks pre show, beginning at 6pm. Tickets to the concert only are $30, doors will open at 7:30pm. A limited number of tickets are available for purchase. Visit www.vtartxchange.org, or send a check to reserve your tickets: VAE, P.O. Box 725, North Bennington, Vermont 05257

(The public exhibition of the VAE Artist Group show will be open daily, with special weekend hours, following the opening).

Mind Maps: Recent work from the Vermont Veterans' Home

Opening: Thursday, September 27th, 5 - 7pm

The show features works from students of the past year. This exhibition marks the first time that work from this program has been shown in the Sage Street Mill. The work will travel to the Vermont Veterans’ Home for an exhibition scheduled to open Tuesday, November 13, 2012.

VAE Instructor Lindsey Anderson, who has worked for the program since 2009, says, "The students don't always recognize where they are, much less the consistency in their own work from week to week, but they are often able to access and represent memories through the process of making. As an outsider, it's a beautiful thing to watch—the ebb and flow of their minds begins to map itself, a process that shows in their work, and becomes a refined imagery. They are able to live in the moment in a way that allows for an honesty that most of us aren’t able to access."

The Vermont Veteran's Home has been in partnership with VAE for over fifteen years, the expressive arts program working primarily with residents with dementia. Art classes are taught onsite weekly, open to all residents. VAE Instructor Claire Fox says, "Our students are a mixture of experienced and first-time artists. Discovering art at their age can be an unexpected gift. The class is about fun, exploration of materials, and discovery."

Leo Yucht Quartet

Saturday, August 25th at 8 p.m.
$10 adults, $5 students. Tickets available by call VAE at 442-5549

Featuring: Elyas O’Classen - Bass
Isaac Roberts - Trumpet
Chris Keyes - Marimba

Come out and hear one of Vermont’s finest up-and-coming jazz combos, playing a wide range of jazz, from classic standards to contemporary originals.

For more tickets call 802-442-5549.. Vermont Arts Exchange is an accessible facility; please contact VAE with any requests for, or questions about, special-needs accommodations.

Traci Molloy presents: 'There you will always be'

Opening Reception:Vermont Arts Exchange's Mill Gallery on Saturday, August 18, from 6 to 8 p.m.

At the heart of "There You Will Always Be" is a series of six large (30"x42" up to 40"x90"), unframed images from Molloy's evocative "White Dandelion" series. Other recent work is also on view.

"'White Dandelions' deals with the passing of time, loss and death," says Molloy in her artist's statement. The multi-layered images start with grainy black-and-white, snapshot-like photos that "conjure up memories of delight, moments of adolescent joy frozen in time… teenagers mug for the camera, blowing kisses and displaying affection."

However, the background photos are relics of happier times. Layered atop is text (days, numbers, minutes or dates), indicating excessive amounts of time meticulously counted out. "In some images, the surface is physically altered by the removal of pieces, holes extracted from the photo mimicking the lost bits of memory captured by the passing of time," Molloy explains. "As the viewer approaches the images, the figures slip from focus and fade into the background. This visual dissolution echoes the mental erosion process that occurs over time after the death of a loved one…. This process is essentially the ‘second death,' the moment when the ability to recall the deceased individual's voice, their scent, and finally, the way they looked, is lost. The somber digital prints are lonely meditations on time and death."

Molloy, whose work has been seen in more than 140 exhibitions across the country and abroad, has not exhibited in the region for more than 15 years. "There You Will Always Be," she explains, is a profoundly personal show reflective of her experiences in the area and presented for the community of Bennington. The underlying photos of the "White Dandelions" images were taken during her tenure working and coaching at Mount Anthony Union High School (1992-94).

"There You Will Always Be" is on view through September 22. For more information about Traci Molloy and her work, visit tracimolloy.com.

The show's opening reception at VAE coincides with another, related homecoming that same weekend — the alumni celebration of the 25th anniversary of women's soccer at Mount Anthony Union High School and the Blue Lollipop Road/Strong Mojo Weekend. A highlight of the weekend is a "Play it Forward" alumni soccer game at Howard Park on August 18, at 1 pm. For information, visit bluelollipoproad.com.

For more information about exhibitions, events, classes and workshops at Vermont Arts Exchange, please call 802-442-5549 or visit vtartxchange.org. Vermont Arts Exchange is an accessible facility; please contact VAE with any requests for, or questions about, special-needs accommodations.

"MARK BARRY: THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON AND OTHER TALES"

Exhibition on view through August 2012
Mill Gallery, VAE's Sage Street Mill

Baltimore and North Bennington painter Mark Barry brings his vibrant paintings to Vermont Arts Exchange’s Mill Gallery in a new exhibition, “Mark Barry: The Return of the Prodigal Son and Other Tales.” The show opens with a reception at VAE on Thursday, June 14, 5-8 pm, and is on view through August 13, 2012.

The show features oil paintings of varying sizes, as well as prints. Among Barry’s many themes are jazz musicians at play (inspired and enlivened by the jazz he listens to as he paints) and jubilant family gatherings at the artist’s home. VAE Director Matthew Perry says, “His work is wonderfully accessible in terms of subject. He celebrates life from its grand to its littlest moments, all with astounding color and movement.”

Mark Barry was born in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1955. He received his B.F.A. from the Swain School of Design (now University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth) in 1981, and studied on the graduate level at Brooklyn College and Johns Hopkins University. He has exhibited his oil paintings, painted ceramics and etchings in venues across the country since 1981. His work is in the collection of the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Baltimore Sun and numerous corporate and private collections. Barry is also a contributing writer for ionarts, a blog for music, arts and literature.

For more information about Mark Barry, visit markbarry.blogspot.com.

Painting: “The Return of the Prodigal One,” oil on canvas, 42” x 36”

The Tribe of Ives presents: Scenes from All In The Timing, by David Ives

Wednesday, July 18th and Thursday, July 19th both at 8:00pm.
In the Basement at VAE's Sage Street Mill

These four, ten minute comedic scenes range in theme from 3 monkeys trying to type hamlet, to two lovers never able to say the right thing, to a breakdown of the human language as it is used in awkward social encounters. Each play is lighthearted and entertaining. The writing is intelligent and witty. David Ives is one of our great living playwrights. The show will be an hour long. The first 10-15 minutes will be live music, followed by the presentation of the 4 scenes. Between each scene will be a short musical number.

"Tribe of Ives" is the name of a group of thespians that are made up of 10 Bennington College students. The Tribe of Ives are spending the summer in North Bennington and collaborate creatively and explore theater as a collective with an interest in offering art to the community and being an active participant here. 

"I WILL TRY TO PUT DOWN ON PAPER" SIXTH-ANNUAL BENNINGTON COLLEGE PRINTMAKERS' SHOW OPENS AT VERMONT ARTS EXCHANGE

An exhibition by seven advanced printmaking students from Bennington College

Wednesday, Nov 30 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Exhibition on view through February 25, 2012
Mill Gallery, VAE's Sage Street Mill

In Bennington College's Advanced Printmaking course, taught by faculty member Thorsten Dennerline, students Rebeca Baudille '12 Hannah Callahan '12, Elliot Cash '13, Farhad Mirza '12, Ellen Bogen '12, Amelia Vottero '12 and Lauren Hamilton '12 proposed and executed projects oftheir own design.

Working in a basic structure of critiques and discussions, the students focused in on a variety of printing techniques and ways of handling materials to execute their ideas. The work featured includes photopolymer intaglio, wood cuts, screenprints, artist books, handmade paper and copper plate etchings.

Mounting the final prints as a group show in a community venue both reinforces the community spirit and collaboration of printmaking, in which artists share a printshop and equipment, and often ideas and techniques. It also offers an important challenge to the student artists.

"It's part of my teaching philosophy," Dennerline says. "The students benefit a great deal from interacting with the world outside the campus. You give them this real-world, hands-on opportunity that helps build up their confidence as artists, and it gives them the chance to engage with the outside community. It's a nice way to start a conversation between the academic community and the real world."

He adds, "From a teaching standpoint, it broadens their audience and makes them work harder ó there's more pressure, more people seeing it."

It's also a lesson in organizing a group show in a not-for-profit space, an invaluable experience as the students continue their career as artists. In addition to creating the work and curating the show, they have created artist statements, determined price lists for the work available for sale and helped publicize the exhibit.

Photo 2: Lauren Hamilton, Bennington College senior, Advanced Printmaking student
Photo 1: Elliot Cash, Bennington College junior, Advanced Printmaking student

18th Annual North Bennington Halloween Parade

Monday, October 31st, 3:30pm

Join the festivities as hundreds of children, artists, doctors, musicians, bankers, bellydancers, drummers, lawyers, teachers, friends and neighbors dress up and promenade through town, accompanied by music, dancing, and large sculptural costumes.

Participants gather at VAE, located at the Sage Street Mill, at 3 p.m. before meandering down Sage Street, through the village of North Bennington and back to the mill for cider, doughnuts, and a blazing bonfire. Revelers of all ages are invited to compete in a Halloween Costume Contest, with prizes awarded to adults and youngsters for imaginative ensembles! All activities are free and open to the public.

The Public Performance of: Lena's Scissors

A new play for ALL ages (esp. children and adults), written, directed, and performed by Bennington College students!

Friday 10/7/11: 7:00 p.m. at the Basement Stage, Vermont Arts Exchange.

About the Play: A girl has the power to cut off peoples' BANGS and turn them into ANIMALS! What happens when she grows up and owns a world-famous hair salon?

All performances are FREE, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, and run 45 MINUTES!

Final performance will be Sunday 10/9/11: 6 p.m. at the South Street Cafe in Bennington Vt.

STATES/PLACES: The Fifth Annual Bennington Printmakers Show

An exhibition by eight advanced printmaking students from Bennington College.

Mill Gallery. December 1st to February 25th, 2011.

Students: Fennis S. Brown, Jane L. Bryant, Ian Dolton-Thornton, Emma S. Harden, Roxanne Igolen, Shehrezad Maher, Madeleine Parks and Margaret Zayer proposed and executed projects of their own design. Working in a basic structure of critiques and discussions, students focused in on a variety of printing techniques and ways of handling materials to execute their ideas. Some the work featured will include stone lithographs, photopolymer gravure, unique, 3-d and mixed media prints, and copper plate etchings.

Husk / Hive
Bennington College Alumna Exhibit New Work

Recent Bennington College graduates and local artists Tess Meyer '08 and Lisa Dietrich '07 exhibit a new collection of their work, "husk / hive," at Vermont Arts Exchange's Mill Gallery

Dietrich's print- and photography-based work combines content from a cache of old family photographs with screen print and textile-sculpture elements using felt, beeswax and gold leaf to describe warmth, connectedness, collaboration and preciousness.

Meyer's drawings and installation-based sculptures are born from an investigation of her own perceptual habits, ruts and the tendency to disregard the familiar. The work is constructed from recycled materials such as shredded paper, push pins, string and thread.

The Lottery

Saturday, October 9th at 6:00pm at the Vermont Arts Exchange, Sage Street Mill. Suggested Donation: $10.

"The Lottery" is a live performance piece, based on the short story by Shirley Jackson. Join in while the townsfolk gather, as they have for years, to attend the traditional lottery. A bake sale, live music, and classic fair games are all part of the experience. Inevitably, things take a dark turn... This material may not be suitable for children under 11. Featuring musicians Barry Hyman and Nathan Knowles. Produced and directed by Wendy Bordwell. The Lottery has been performed recently at Hubbard Hall, the Georgi Museum, Salem Art Works, Bennington College and Pompanuck Farm. This special, final performance in North Bennington where the author created this work.

The production features musicians Barry Hyman and Nathan Knowles, providing live music that accompanies The Lottery.

Atwood Artists Group Annual Exhibit

March 4 thru summer 2010. VAE BASEMENT GALLERY

This exhibit, presented in partnership with United Counseling Service of Bennington County (UCS) , exhibits the visual art of 12 adults who work weekly in VAE's art studios through UCS's day service program. These untrained artists have found their own individual style and manner of working that best suits their creative expression. The work in this annual exhibit includes drawings, paintings, mosaic tile artwork and sculpture.

Universal Health Care

An exhibition of work by seven advanced printmaking students from Bennington College, VAEÌs Mill Gallery at the Sage Street Mill from Saturday, November 28 through the end of February.

The students in Bennington College's Advanced Printmaking course - Fennis Brown, Margaret Zayer, Natalie Kent, Sarah Kelly, Genevieve Senchyna, Will Moss, and Elizabeth Bennett Û proposed and executed projects of their own design. Working in a basic structure of critiques and discussions, the group focused in on a variety of printing techniques and ways of handling materials to execute their ideas. The featured artwork includes stone lithographs, photopolymer gravure, screen-printed wallpaper, T-shirts, books, unique 3D and mixed media prints, and copper plate etchings.
For information about Bennington College classes, visit www.bennington.edu.

PAINTINGS OF PHILIP WOFFORD

Mill Gallery March 7 - July 7, 2009

Opening Reception Saturday, March 7th 5:30 - 7:30pm Sage Street Mill, North Bennington, VT prior to musical performance by To Be featuring Philip Wofford.

STEPHEN ALCORN Mill Gallery

www.alcorngallery.com

On exhibit at the Mill Gallery is Cambridge, NY artist, Stephen Alcorn displaying his relief block prints of Modern Music Masters. These beautiful prints pay homage to the men and women who bridged the gaps between tradition and innovation, craft and genius, music and poetry, composition and improvisation, black and white.

Steven Brower, in PRINT magazine, wrote, "The result of a quarter-century of experimentation with relief-block printmaking, the series is in many ways as inspirational as the music it celebrates."

VAE and VERMONT VETERANS' HOME CELEBRATE SEVEN YEARS OF ARTS AND HEALING WITH NEW EXHIBIT OF RESIDENT ARTWORK

Please visit the new exhibit of music and visual, literary and media artworks created by VVH residents living with dementia, "The Healing Arts: New Pathways to Health."

At the Vermont Veterans' Home Multi Crispe Room,
325 North Street Bennington, VT.

The seven-year partnership between VAE and the Vermont Veterans' Home allows the healthcare facility and the Vermont Arts Exchange to offer arts and healing programs to residents and caregivers through hands-on staff trainings, a Caring For Caregivers program, an on-site visual arts studio and guest artist residencies. The partnership had its start with the Dementia Program and created a significant impact on the residents' quality of life - reaching residents with advanced dementia who can otherwise be difficult to connect with.

NEW DOCUMENTARY FILM ON VERMONT ARTS EXCHANGE'S ARTS & HEALING PARTNERSHIP WINS TOP HONORS AT FOCUS FILM FESTIVAL

We are pleased to announce that the "The Healing Arts: New Pathways to Health" (2007) a documentary film, directed by Benjamin Mayer and produced by the Vermont Arts Exchange and the Massachusetts Cultural Council - was honored in October 2008 at the annual FOCUS Film Festival held at the California State University campus. The film took "Best of Festival" and the Audience Choice awards.

The 28-minute film highlights the inspirational work created by artists and patients involved in the New Pathways to Health and Community, a regional partnership program of VAE, participating healthcare sites and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Told in three segments, the film shows how the artists and staff utilize the arts as an innovative treatment approach for people living with chronic, disabling physical and emotional challenges.

For more information on the healing arts program please visit
www.artsandhealing.net

WORKSHOP with RUMI and the Persian Mystical Philosophies

Expressed through his poems by Haale Gafori

Saturday, May 9th 10:30am - 12:00pm Sage Street Mill North Bennington, VT. Haale's musical performnce will begin at 8:00pm the same night!

$20 per person, $15 students. Call 802-442-5549 to register.

Rumi has been the best-selling poet in America for more than a decade. His mass appeal can be attributed not only to the brilliance and beauty of his poetry but also to the power and relevance of his message. Rumi's poetry explores themes of human evolution and transformation, particularly the journey from states of fear and anxiety towards love and unity. Rumi's poetry comes as a salve, a joyful and intelligent exploration of the possibility of emotional growth and transformation. Haale will read poems by Rumi, in English as well as in Persian, so that students can hear the rhythm and rhyme of the poems in the original language. She will discuss the mystical philosophies prevalent in his work, and also perform musical pieces that incorporate his words so that students can hear Rumi's words in a musical context.

Ink, Paper, Press

Ink, Paper, Press, an exhibition by seven advanced printmaking students from Bennington College, with an opening reception on Wednesday, December 3rd from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mill Gallery. The exhibit will run through February.

The eight young and promising artists will be presenting a diverse range of fine printed and constructed objects whose concerns reflect the relevant undercurrents of contemporary art. They have employed their common understanding of sophisticated printing technique to voice concerns ranging from our present economy to the graphic work of Goya, Callot and Rembrandt.

Printmakers Dorothy Allen, Zoe Chevat, Drew Gold, Elizabeth Melsheimer, Andrew Murdoch, Margaret Rizzio, Selome Samuel, and Todd V.A. will exhibit their recent works in monoprint, book art, intaglio, gravure, serigraphy, and lithography. A price list will be available.