Staart Gallery

The Blog Has Moved!

2009-07-04T08:06:00.001-04:00

The Staart Gallery site and blog have a new home and you should be automatically redirected in a moment. If you are not, you can click here to go to the new site.

Art at the Farmers Market

2009-05-27T08:51:00.000-04:00

Four members of the Saint Albans Artists' Guild have joined forces and will be presenting their artwork on Saturday’s in Taylor Park at the Farmer’s Market in St. Albans.

Art at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday’s will include affordable art work by photographer, Robert Chaperon, Jr. who will present his Sensation of Nature photos and prints. Artist, Paule Gingras will have paintings in watercolor and acrylic along with prints and cards, Meta Strick , specializes in mixed media, with paintings on canvas, wood, cards & more. And Karen Day-Vath who works in both acrylics and oils will have original paintings on canvas and paper along with cards and painted slate.

The four artists will be alternating on Saturday’s starting this Saturday May 30, and each week there will be a different artist showing with different work.

Reviewed!

2009-05-26T09:10:00.003-04:00

It wasn't that long ago that I was turned onto the Vermont Art Zine, a blog dedicated to reviewing all things art going on in the Green Mountain state. During our last reception I was thrilled that one of it's founders, Marc Awodey, who is also a reviewer for Seven Days, had stopped by to check us out. He just posted a great review which you can read here! While you're at it, you should subscribe to Vermont Art Zine because there is a constantly fresh batch of articles on new shows and galleries.

Mary Ann showing at Emile Gruppe

2009-05-20T12:34:00.004-04:00

vermontwatercolorsociety.com

May 18, 2009

Emile Gruppe Exhibit

Gruppe acceptance list: Thirty-one out of 48 artists' paintings were accepted. Congratulations all!

Kathleen Berry Bergeron, Abundance
Mary Ann Godin, Ironstone Pitcher on Parlor Cloth
Nancy Stone, Sonata Glow
Penny Moore, Stormy Cosmos
Cheryl Johnson, Country Colors
Robert O'Brien, Leaf Shadows
Patricia Lipinski, Reflections
Beatrice Jillette, Winter Trail
Grace Ellis, Lily Pond Star
Gary Eckart, Winter Gardens
Kristen Chamberlain, Sugaring Time
Diana Dunn, Mother's Day
Doris Ingram, Along Rte 100
Nancy Aitken Ball, Reminiscence
Diane Bell, Ellery's Porch
Harry Dayton, Crows in the Corn
Lisa Forster Beach, Spring by the River
Patrick Kennedy, Fall Snow Storm
Judson Pealer, Island's Edge
Sandra Pealer, Within and Without
Louisa Pfaelzer, Pansy Spring
Claudia Carl, Fruit Bowl
Jan Avery, Near the Pond
Laurence Coffin, Tulips
Lyn DuMoulin, Goshen House
Mark Nielsen, Holyoke Alley
Theresa Somerset, Little Thief
Karen L. Casper, Church Street
Terry Hodgdon, Budding Artist
Annelein Beukenkamp, The Conversation
Suzanne Clark, Flower-Power

Opening Reception: Sunday, May 31, 2009, 6 - 8 pm.

Tinka Martell

2009-05-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

Tinka Theresa Martell

Everything I see in my world filters into my work as an artist: landscapes, clouds, the composition of my stone walls, arrangements of special items on a shelf.

I work with several media - wood, paper, canvas. I also use many recycled and found objects. Mostly, I enjoy working with small scale collage, especially playing with copper leaf and ink. My large scale works are often three dimensional, and my medium varies.

In the past I have incorporated bold colors, using lots of black to define my shapes. I create large asymmetrical compositions, adding hammered copper plate to imply a solid feeling. Now I gravitate to layers of soft muted colors blending paint or wash until I sense the mood is achieved.

My home and studio are in Fairfax, Vermont. I have been working as an artist for twenty years. I have shown my work in New Mexico, New England and recently been accepted in online galleries from Massachusetts to Toronto, Canada.

John Mannion

2009-05-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

John Wesley Mannion

Through a broad range of approaches, John Wesley Mannion examines the relationship between the human condition and authenticity of perception. Limrick consists of beautifully decayed Polaroid imagery revealing the relationship between Limerick Power, one of the Northeast’s largest nuclear power plants, and the adjacent abandoned canal lock community known as Frick’s Locke.

Mannion is currently the Digital Imaging Manager at Light Work/Community Darkrooms in Syracuse, NY and teaches digital photography at the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University. John has an MFA in photography and has exhibited both nationally and internationally including the Everson Museum of Art, Munson Williams Proctor Museum of Art, Soundnetwork Manchester UK, and most recently the Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester, MA Upcoming exhibitions Include the Cazanovia Art Park, and the Schweinfurth Memorial Art museum in Auburn NY.

Chad Jenkins

2009-05-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

Chad Jenkins

Chad Jenkins was born and raised in St. Albans, Vermont and works full time for the Vermont Army National Guard. He became interested in photography back in 2000 when he went to Belize, Central America as a “Tripod Bearer” with the Public Affairs Detachment, but ended up taking thousands of photos. Aside from photography, his hobbies include traveling, gardening and pushing his British antique car around. He also plays the trumpet in several local bands as well as the 40th Army Band.

Chad graduated from Vermont Technical College in Landscape Design and Ornamental Horticulture. He uses this background to influence his photographic style. Chad lives in St. Albans with his wife, Kristine, and their daughter Maya. Chad would like to get into adventure travel and photography, but living with a 2 year old is adventure enough.

Jen Kristel

2009-05-12T08:00:00.000-04:00

Jen Kristel

Jen Kristel grew up by the ocean in Massachusetts. She studied art and theatre at Emerson College, and received an M.A. in Expressive Therapies from Lesley University. She moved to Vermont 17 years ago, and has raised her 3 boys here.

Jen is an artist and teacher, and an Expressive arts therapist in private practice. She works in printmaking, painting and mixed media. Her art addresses issues pertaining to the spiritual, physical and emotional aspects of human life, often utilizing leaves, feathers, and other flat objects that come alive and interact with each other in deeply human scenarios.

Jen believes that art and functionality do not need to be separate, and utilizes her prints to create lampshades, journals and note cards.

Jen teaches Art Therapy and Expressive therapies both internationally and at Burlington College. She is the artistic Director of Vermont Playback Theatre, and has, for many years, served on the board of VSAVT, an arts organization that supports people with disabilities, where she is currently an instructor. Jen shows throughout the Northeast, and her work is in many private collections. She lives in Burlington with her husband, Michael, her sons, and their neurotic cat Windsor.

Lisamarie Charlesworth

2009-05-11T08:00:00.000-04:00

Lisamarie Charlesworth

My current work reflects the influence of several winter workshops and a self-challenge to experiment with new materials and techniques, although I still mix and match family treasures with found object.

Lately, I have been a bit hung up with how the current economic climate mirrors and resonates with elements of the Great Depression. Counting pennies, holding down a decent job and providing food and shelter for our families are basic priorities that have not changed over the decades since the Depression began and ended. I look at the current “economic downturn” as less of a crisis; rather, a wake up call to us about what should be important in life. As my brother Tim is so fond of saying, “Less is more.”

Almost all of the pieces I made draw inspiration from an ongoing fascination with the past. I grew up hearing stories about the “good old days” from my grandparents, aunts and uncles, many of whom were first and second generation hard-working Americans who lived through both World Wars and the Depression. They saved everything…old papers, greeting cards, books, kitchen and instruction manuals, advertising and design samples, boxes, containers, tools and of course string. Their experiences and tangible remnants from their lives form the fabric of my personal history. Their stories surface continually in my work.

I have spent almost 20 years in marketing and public relations for non-profit arts organizations. Currently, I am employed as the Marketing Director for the very active Vermont Youth Orchestra Association. When not promoting concerts, I make art. I studied studio art and art history at Trinity College, the L’universite de Besançon, France and the University of Vermont and New York. Originally from Buffalo, New York, I have lived in St. Albans for the past seven years.

Spring Show

2009-05-07T13:48:00.002-04:00

It's that time again! A gathering at Staart is coming up so get ready for another great night of conversation and culture! Details below. And revisit the blog daily to get the background on our newest artists.

Maple Fest recap

2009-05-01T13:38:00.000-04:00

I realized that I still haven't posted the photos I took during Maple Festival weekend which brought great weather and a good crowd! Meg Willey played and sang beautifully. She sang both original songs and cover tunes. She left some free demo discs here for anyone who wants to have a quick listen, and she sells her full albums at Better Planet in St. Albans
A happy crowd listening to Meg…

Leon lounging during his book-signing.

Jason helping out!

From Staart Artist Jen Kristel

2009-04-24T08:51:00.000-04:00

Learning the Art of Playback Theatre!

Spring Series Tuesday evenings

Saturday Playback Samplers

In these workshops we will play, awaken our senses, exercise ourselves as artists and humanitarians, practice compassionate listening, and learn the fundamentals of Playback Theatre. PT is an interactive, improvisational theatre form used to illuminate life and incite dialogue. In Playback theatre, personal life stories are shared by audience members and then re-enacted spontaneously on stage by a team of actors and a musician. It is an educational and curative form of entertainment now practiced far and wide in over 50 countries. We will explore these themes through learning the art of improv theatre, practice its forms and listen to our own stories. This workshop is recommended for performers, teachers, educators, activists’ social workers, policy makers, and everyone else. Please wear loose clothing.

Tuesdays: 6:30-9pm

Burlington

860-6203

vtplayback@hotmail.com

www.vermontplaybacktheatre.org

6 Tuesdays $85.00($15.00 ea)

Saturdays $80.00(or $45.00 ea.)

Tuesdays: Saturdays:

April 11

April 28 May 9

May 12, 26 June 20

June 9, 23

Led by Jen Kristel, M.A. Jen is a expressive arts therapist, and teaches Playback and the expressive therapies locally and internationally. She is the director of Vermont Playback Theatre Company.

Call to Artists

2009-04-23T09:46:00.003-04:00

Saint Albans

Lake Champlain Quadricentennial

& Franco-American Heritage Festival

Signature Event

Art Exhibition & Sale

Open Call to Artists!

Celebrate the long, rich cultural heritage of Franco-Americans as well as the natural history of the Lake Champlain region. Musical performances, historical exhibits & recreation, public art display, genealogy and more! St. Albans for the Future with the assistance of the Saint Albans Artists’ Guild, will be presenting an art exhibition and sale during the 3 day festivities.

Art exhibition and Sale:

In the “Stonehouse” at Saint Albans Bay.

Thursday June 18, 2009 6:00pm-10:00pm

Friday June 19, 2009 12:00pm-5:00pm

Saturday June 20, 2009 10:00am-4:00pm

There will be a “kick off” gala fundraiser (ticket prices are still to be determined) featuring the art show and silent auction for Art Fits Vermont Puzzle Pieces on Thursday evening from 6:00 PM -10:00 PM. Activities will be going on Friday & Saturday and the Lois McClure will be docked at the Bay for viewing during this time. A donation to St. Albans for the Future (SAFF) is $ 20.00 for the 3 day show. This is a great opportunity to show and sell your work, and be a part of this signature event. First come first serve. Pre Registration is required.

For more information and registration for the art show only

email: quadartfest@comcast.net

or call Karen Day-Vath at 802-524-7154.

For all other inquiries concerning the festival

please see the Franco American Heritage Website at:

www.francoamericanvermont.org

Watercolor Magazine: Harald Aksdal

2009-04-15T13:40:00.003-04:00

Anyone who knows Harald Aksdal knows that his artistic career has grown by leaps and bounds in a matter of just a couple of years. As a testament to his talent, he is being featured in this spring's issue of Watercolor Magazine! It's a huge article with lots of great big examples of his work. If you would like to see the full article, I have a copy here at the gallery, and there is one on display at Champlain Collections (new location in the Hungerford Plaza in case you didn't know) also. There is also, of course, some of Harald's work here on display so if you're interested in either a framed original or a print, stop by. Congratulations to Harald!

Keep up with your reading

2009-04-04T10:25:00.000-04:00

I should be reprimanded for not having posted this sooner, but there is a great new resource for anyone trying to keep up with the Vermont art scene called the Vermont Art Zine. It's a new blog devoted to the visual arts community with great articles on artists, shows and events. Visit it often or you can add it to your feed reader if you use one with the "subscribe" link way at the bottom of the blog.

Upgrade for the Artists Guild

2009-04-03T13:17:00.002-04:00

I just wanted to share the link for the St. Albans Artists Guild because their website was recently redesigned by the talented Clair Dunn and they have a great new look. It's worth a visit. Clair is a skilled web designer and does sites for artist so if you're looking to start your own website (…and everyone should have one) you should contact her.

Update from Kim

2009-03-12T10:15:00.003-04:00

As usual, Staart artist Kimberlee Forney is a busy bee! Below are a few of her events she just filled me in on.

1)I will be participating in the VERMONT WOMEN'S EXPO for the third or fourth time. This is a fun ONE DAY event.
when: SATURDAY MARCH 14, 2009 10AM-5PM
where: Sheraton Inn, Burlington

for more info: check out www.vermontwomensexpo.com
Attached to this email is a coupon for $1.00 off admission. There are door prizes (over $4000.00 worth) and other workshops throughout the day. I hope to see you there!

and mark your calendars for.....

2)FRIDAY MARCH 27, FROM 10AM-12PM I will be hanging out at NUNYUNS in Burlington(where Scrumptous used to be). They are a great bakery, breakfast and lunch place located at 139 North Champlain Street. During this "meet and greet" we can chat about art and life...and I will be accepting entries for those who stop by between 10-12 for a chance to win an 8x10 framed print of the winners choice. (Winner need not be present when winning ticket is chosen.)
For more info check out this article from Seven Days. They even mention my artwork! thanks Seven Days!

http://www.7dvt.com/2009taste-test-nunyuns
The show at Nunyuns will be displayed into mid-late April.

Music for a Cause

2009-03-08T17:03:00.002-04:00

I just wanted to post some pictures from today's musical event and fundraiser that happened here at the gallery. There was a great turnout and hopefully plenty of money was raised …all of the proceeds going to a national organization that raises awareness about the female sex trafficking trade. Organizer Joy Choquette did a fantastic job of organizing the musicians and putting together a tasty spread of treats including baked goods donated by the Cosmic Bakery in St. Albans.

Mark Sustic

event organizer Joy Choquette (right)

Carol Jones

Lisa Judge

Rebecca Padulla

Music Matinee, Sunday March 8

2009-03-03T09:18:00.002-05:00

This weekend we've got a great event going on at STAART!

EcoMedia LLC, a green copywriting service, will host a Music Matinee on Sunday, March 8th from 1:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. Local musicians including Carol Jones, Rebecca Padula, Lisa Ackel-Judge and others are going to rock the house while you get to lounge and munch on some light refreshments. (I recently checked out Carol's new CD out and you will LOVE it).

And while you're out enjoying yourself, you'll also be supporting a cause. Music Matinee was created to raise awareness around sex trafficking. It is estimated that 50,000 women are trafficked into North America each year. Statistics vary on worldwide sex trafficking, however it is estimated that between one and two million women and children are trafficked each year around the globe. Informational materials about sex trafficking and sex tourism will be available and you can make a donation that will be sent to a national organization working to end sex trafficking.

Last I checked, it's still winter so come over to snuggle into one of those cozy couches and enjoy the tunes. For more information, contact Joy at joychoquette@gmail.com, and check out her website, www.ecomediallc.com, while you're at it!

Going Forward

2009-02-28T09:12:00.003-05:00

Here's a photo from last night's reception at the gallery. As usual, we had a great crowd and artists and spectators alike seemed to enjoy themselves.

I mentioned to the crowd last night that it's great to see our little local arts movement really picking up momentum. Between the various organizations, small group gatherings, galleries and public spaces that display art we've really got something here. The recent Seven Days article on Staart mentioned all of these places and hopefully took us one step further in establishing ourselves on the art map.

From here, I think it's important that we all really collaborate to keep this momentum going. We can all still have our little individual goals, but by working together more it can only help all of us. St. Albans and the surrounding area has always struggled to find its identity…to figure out what to do with a changing rural landscape, shifting economics, and amidst a changing relationship with the rest of the world. Maybe we're finally finding our place…

A Funny Clip!

2009-02-19T21:20:00.005-05:00

**Warning, there may be language inappropriate for kids (but hey, what're they doing online anyway?)**

I finally pieced together that video clip of Leon reading some material at the gallery last week. The reading in the clip is material from one of the new projects he has coming out. I think it'll appeal to the locals!

This is my first attempt at working with video, so it's crude but workable.

Leon at the Gallery

2009-02-15T20:15:00.004-05:00

Local wordsmith Leon Thompson, who just happens to be my pal and former co-worker, graced the gallery Friday night with a one-hour reading that had the crowd in stitches. Leon already has two published volumes of his columns under his belt, titled "Good Junk" and "Dork: Another Look at My Junk" (oh Leon), and is working on several new projects including two books that are due to be published in the next year. The first is a guide to our state that combines stories that only Vermonters could tell with notes about what it is to be a Vermonter…dialect and all. The second book will include more of his columns in a compilation of New England writers. Go Leon! So Friday night he read material from both past and present projects. It was a fun night and good to see so many people out for the event! I shot a video of one of the pieces he read, so as soon as I learn how to edit it, I'll post that too.

Seven Days article is out!!

2009-02-12T14:01:00.004-05:00

Matthew Thorsen Photo

Hey! You all need to go check out the article in Seven Days about the gallery. Either grab this week's copy (on newsstands until next Tuesday) or you can read the article online here. The article talks about some of the awesome artists we have here and highlights our local art scene. Writer Amy Lilly did an excellent job! My hair looks terrible, but what's a girl to do when the Seven Days photog Matthew Thorsen rings you up and says he needs to take your photo that day! I couldn't be more thrilled not only because it's great timing for publicity for everyone, but Seven Days is a great must-read weekly publication so I'm honored.

Music

2009-02-11T08:23:00.002-05:00

Carol Jones just sent me some info on the release of her new CD "Out of the Blue". Carol played here at the gallery as part of a duet in December of 2007. She's got a release celebration at the Old Lantern in Charlotte on 2/28. You can listen to her music at her myspace page.

Music, Thursday Feb. 5, St. Albans

2009-01-30T14:00:00.005-05:00

Someone left a poster at my door this week for a PoJAZZ event going on at Chow! Bella next Thursday, February 5 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. There wasn't a website on the poster (Tsk, Tsk) but a quick google search led me to some more information. According to the Johnson State College website, it's a JSC sponsored group that "showcases the best of Northern New England's jazz musicians and poets in a cabaret format." If you'd like to hear their sound there are some clips that you can listen to. Sounds interesting!

If you have an arts event that you would like me to post, just email me at staartgallery@gmail.com!

Artist Opportunity - NMC

2009-01-27T13:01:00.003-05:00

I want to start publishing information on public art opportunities around town so that artists know what places are available for them to show. There's probably more places out there than you think! Hopefully this will be a useful tool for artists looking for ways to get their work out there.

The first space that I'll mention is the art wall up at Northwestern Medical Center. There are actually two different spots available for display, one run by Volunteer Services Manager Dolly MacNeil and the other managed by Linda Brunelle.

MacNeil's wall has been around for 15 years and provides space for up to 10 pieces of any size in a high-traffic hallway of the hospital. Art is hung on a monthly rotation. There is no cost to exhibit and while you can't display the pieces' prices, they can be sold through MacNeil who needs an inventory and price list from the artist. You can display tags with your name and phone number.

Brunelle's wall is a new addition and is located closer to patient rooms so that they and their guests can see the work. I don't have many details yet about the policies for this wall so one would have to check in with Linda for further information for now.

Both walls have been featured in the past in the St. Albans Messenger as well as the hospital's own publications. If you're looking for a space that gets lots of exposure, then this is the place.

For further information, contact Dolly MacNeil 802-524-1055.

New! New! New!

2009-01-23T08:37:00.000-05:00

With the start of our winter term here at Staart, there are a few new things to announce.

First we have a few new artists including Linda Wirts, John Cronin and Phoenix Levy. We also have new work by several of our returning artists, so there is plenty of fresh stuff on the walls! Our returning artists include Deborah Benoit, David Juaire, Ellen Powell, Jane Bower, Clair Dunn, Harald Aksdal, Scott Staples, Mary Ann Godin, Barbara Hamm, Kimberlee Forney, and Karen Day Vath. Plus we still have beautiful jewelry by Kelly Duprat and Cynthia Booth.

We also have new hours now so stop by anytime Tuesday through Saturday 12:00 - 6:00 p.m. We are now closed on Sundays and Mondays, but have added lots more weekday hours!

Yet Another Wasted Evening with Leon Thompson

2009-01-22T11:13:00.000-05:00

Swanton, VT, native and St. Albans, VT, author Leon Thompson will read from
his books "Good Junk" and "dork. - another look at my junk," which are
collections of (mostly) humor columns that Leon has written during 13
freakin' years of journalism.

Date: Friday, Feb. 13
Time: 7-8 p.m.
Place: The STAART Gallery, Main Street, St. Albans City

Leon also plans to preview piss-in-your-pants material from his upcoming
book, tentatively titled "Not Too Awful Bad: A Storyteller's Guide to
Vermont," due out in fall 2009, from Islandport Press in Yarmouth, ME.

(Sorry, gang, no refreshments this time. Lube up beforehand, and let's party
somewhere afterward!)

Sale Kickoff!

2008-11-23T12:35:00.004-05:00

I hate to see all those winter coats piled up on the couch already! Despite the blustery cold we had a great turnout again for our artist reception Friday night. Some of our new artists were glowing with their turn in the spotlight!

Just a reminder that Friday night was the kickoff for our holiday sale going on now through Christmas. You can get bargains anywhere from 10-30% off selected artists of both framed and unframed paintings and photography and Kelly has some of her jewelry items on sale as well.

Since all of our artists are local, a lot of their work is very "Vermont-y", so if you're looking for a gift for someone that embodies our beautiful state, here's the place to get it! Skip the crowds in Burlington…we'll be open "Black Friday"!!

Art's Alive Art Auction

2008-11-22T12:21:00.003-05:00

Clair's In

2008-11-14T18:36:00.003-05:00

Most local artists are aware of the recent call that came from the Vermont Arts Council for the Art of Action project. Our own Clair Dunn was named one of the finalists in the first round of cuts placing her amongst a list of great Vermont artists! Hooray! As a finalist she will be receiving a grant to work on her project and will again compete for one of ten spots being awarded a (big, yummy) commission in January of 09. Wish her luck when you see her!

Time to Party

2008-11-12T16:51:00.004-05:00

AIR in Enosburg

2008-11-12T16:46:00.003-05:00

I'm a little behind the gun here but I just realized that the Artists in Residence Gallery in Enosburg has a blog too! Check it out! Their posts feature examples of work from their featured artists.

Class with Sean Dye

2008-09-19T08:40:00.001-04:00

More Art!

2008-09-07T17:40:00.003-04:00

This Weekend

2008-09-03T20:14:00.003-04:00

There is no shortage of arts events this weekend, so keep your schedules open. First on Friday night the Bishop Street Artists kick off their annual show at St. Lukes Episcopal Church in St. Albans with a reception from 6 - 8 pm. The show continues Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 9 am to 12 pm.

Also on Friday is the annual Art Hop down in Burlington on Pine Street. This is always an eclectic mix of artists, just bring your walking shoes.

Lastly, on Saturday afternoon, St. Albans for the Future and the St. Albans Artists' Guild present Art in the Park in Taylor Park. There will be a raffle of fine art, a display of art and prints for sale, a kids art table and demonstrations by several of the organization's artists.

So, don't say there's nothing to do on the weekends!

Friday Night

2008-08-25T10:17:00.002-04:00

Friday night the art stars turned out again for another fun reception at Staart. Friday's featured artists included Jane Bower, Chepe Cuadra, Clair Dunn, Mary Fletcher, Kimberlee Forney, and Ellen Powell. The house was so packed I had to crank the AC a little lower! Several artists made some sales so I would call the night a great success! A few photos from the event below…

Chepe, right, chatting with a fan, Oren Lane, center.

Kimberlee with her mom…

Jane's abstract watercolors have been flying off the shelves!

Reminder: Artist Reception

2008-08-21T08:00:00.001-04:00

Don't forget tomorrow night!!

Back to School

2008-08-20T15:09:00.002-04:00

Well, the summer hopefully isn't over as far as the weather goes, but the gallery's summer hours have come to an end. I hope everyone got the chance to take advantage of our daytime hours during the summer months. But don't dismay, we're still open during the hours posted below, with plenty of time during the weekends! Please support your local artists!!

Current Hours:
Monday & Tuesday - Closed
Wednesday - 4 - 7 pm
Thursday - 4 - 7 pm
Friday - 4 - 7 pm
Saturday - 12 - 6 pm
Sunday - 12 - 6 pm

Artists: Familiar Faces

2008-08-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

Several of our artists have returned for our summer display period and shouldn't escape the art enthusiast's radar. Several have brought new pieces to display for the season, so please visit us to see what's new. Also visit their page at the gallery's website store…

Artist: Ellen Powell

2008-08-07T09:00:00.000-04:00

Ellen Powell's name may be familiar to jazz enthusiasts as she has been a bass-playing fixture on locals stages for several years. She now adds art photography to her repertoire with several framed and unframed pieces on display at Staart. Ellen will be one of the featured artists in the upcoming reception to be held on August 22nd. More details on that soon…

"Ellen Powell grew up in rural Massachusetts and came to Vermont in the summers of her childhood. She made Vermont her permanent home in 1969 at the age of nineteen, and over the years she lived in the southern, central, and northern rural areas of the state. She settled down in Chittenden County in 1985 and currently resides in S. Burlington. Music has always been a part of her life. She studied piano formally for 15 years in her childhood and sang with her high school chorus in Symphony Hall in Boston several times. After arriving in Vermont she learned banjo and played professionally in central Vermont. She became a professional singer for a few years in the 1970s. She eventually became a jazz bassist, mostly self-taught. In 1989 she studied jazz bass with master bassist Cecil McBee in New York City for a year, funded by a study grant from the National Foundation for the Arts. She was a founder of and has played in all Burlington Discover Jazz Festivals and her jazz group was featured on NPR’s Jazz Set. She currently plays Thursdays with the best area jazz musicians at Leunigs Bistro in Burlington. For thirty years and probably before that, Ellen has been seeing “great shots” all over the place and it has been one of her dreams to take pictures. Using the format of film in photography was beyond her means. She would have wanted to learn the dark room and while she was busy building her career as a jazz bassist, there was no time for anything else, so photography was put on hold. Then came the onset of digital cameras. Ellen finally bought herself a little point+shoot digital camera in May 2007 and began taking pictures, having a great time. From seeing images on serious photography websites, she soon learned about Digital SLR cameras and in August she got herself one. She took a course in photography and has been joyfully clicking away ever since."

Artist: Longina Smolinksi

2008-08-05T09:00:00.000-04:00

Longina Smolinksi is the third member of the shared display at Staart also featuring Lisamarie Charlesworth and Tinka Martell. It's amazing how the work of these three friends ties in so nicely together. Smolinksi's paintings on display are vibrant and textured and exhibit the boldness that can be seen in her other work. Check out the others in the series but also stop by the gallery to see two of her paper clay sculptures that are on display in our window.

"Art is entirety. For me, fulfillment lies in expressing myself through diverse mediums and creative approaches. Thus, I do not feel any strong commitment to one particular method of expression over another. Although my art education focused on sculpture and design, currently my work varies between painting, making sculpture and designing ceramic and glassware. Painting in the abstract allows me these spontaneous moments of escape to a place where there are seemingly no rules. I use bright colors. I experiment mixing paint until it is a thick paste, working with layers of color and paint, mixing it with wax or other medium, applied to canvas, paper, even the walls in my home. When making paintings, I look for questions, I reflect upon my current emotion or I simply become lost in the comfort of the colors I am painting. With clay, I assign a tangible form to motifs that exist outside my everyday surroundings. Built from layers of coils, sculpted pieces begin to form from the bottom to the top until a finished form emerges. Although unintentional, my sculptures are decidedly feminine in form. Recently, I have begun to experiment with paper clay and acrylic paint as a top coat instead of glazing or leaving the surface plain. After all, I do enjoy color! My work reflects the immediacy of the present – neither reminiscing in the past nor moving towards the future. It is entirely me. Here. Now."

Artist Down Under

2008-07-31T17:42:00.004-04:00

A customer came into the gallery recently and after purchasing some jewelry for his wife (not for any reason, just because…nice, huh?) he mentioned in his awesome Aussie accent that his sister at home is an artist. He gave me her site to check out, which I did, and she does really cool work so I thought I would share. Have a look!

Artist: Tinka Theresa Martell

2008-07-31T09:00:00.000-04:00

Sharing a display wall with previously featured artist Lisamarie Charlesworth and soon-to-be featured Longina Smolinksi, Tinka Martell exhibits a series of works of mixed media on handmade paper. Her designs present a relationship between both delicate and dominant materials with the use of copper foil, acrylic paint, ink and glass bead. The series is definitely worth a look!

"Everything I see in my world filters into my work as an artist: landscapes, clouds, the composition of my stone walls, arrangements of special items on a shelf. I work with several media including wood, paper and canvas. I also use many recycled and found objects. Mostly, I enjoy working with small scale collage, especially playing with copper leaf and ink. My large scale works are often three dimensional, and my medium varies. In the past I have incorporated bold colors, using lots of black to define my shapes. I create large asymmetrical compositions, adding hammered copper plate to imply a solid feeling. Now, I gravitate to layers of soft muted colors blending paint until the right color arrives. My home and studio are in Fairfax, VT. I find that working in the evening allows me the time to relax and to step back from work that is in progress. Ultimately, a piece is not complete until in ‘feels right’. In my studio setting, which is very much in the country, my environment can inspire the finished product. I have been working as an artist for twenty years. I have shown my work in New Mexico, New England and recently been accepted in online galleries from MA to Canada."

Artist: Lisamarie Charlesworth

2008-07-29T09:00:00.000-04:00

Lisamarie has a great collection of her mixed media pieces on display and her bio gives a great description of how she arrives at the end result. She is an artist that gives careful consideration to each element of her work and it shows!

"Almost all of the work I make draws inspiration from my ongoing fascination with the past. I grew up hearing stories about the “good old days” from my grandparents, aunts and uncles, many of whom were first and second generation Americans who lived through both World Wars and the Great Depression. Lucky for me, they saved everything…old papers, greeting cards, books, kitchen and instruction manuals, advertising and design samples, boxes, containers, tools and of course string. Their experiences and tangible remnants from their lives form the fabric of my personal history. As a result, their stories surface continually in my work. My work juxtaposes family relic with basement treasures or similarly rescued found objects. I relish the notion of historical patterns recycling themselves through time. This repitition is both alarming and comforting - an odd dichotomy that intrigues me. In my day job, I have spent 20 years in marketing and public relations for non-profit arts organizations. When not promoting visual art, the performing arts or music, I make art. I am employed as the Marketing Director for the Vermont Youth Orchestra Association. I studied art and art history at Trinity College, the L’universite de Besancon, France and at the University of Vermont. My work has been shown in galleries and private venues in Vermont and New York. A native of Buffalo, NY, I live and create art from my home and studio in St. Albans."

Out and About with Kim…

2008-07-25T14:37:00.002-04:00

Here's some updates from Kimberlee Forney, one of Staart's talented painters:

This weekend is the Taste of Stowe Arts Festival at the Topnotch Field in Stowe.
The hours are 10-5 Friday, Saturday and Sunday. for more info: www.helenday.com/tastestowe.htm

I will be there, somewhere in the big tent...not sure of my exact location. I will have lots of prints, originals, cards and a few wooden cow cut outs...I hope to see some of you there. Lots of yummy food too.

Also, wanted to let you know that I have been doing some live paintings while musicians/bands have been playing. I have done them at Nectar's, Higher Ground and other venues. The most recent one was of Electric Halo at Parima on Pearl Street in Burlington. I will have a live painting gallery on my site soon. This is my 8th live painting. A percentage of the proceeds of the sales of the giclee reproductions on canvas will go to the organization of the band's choice. If you are a musician and interested in me painting at one of your shows, feel free to contact me. And I hope some of you can make it at future live paintings. I have had some fans show up and given excellent feed-back. I guess it's interesting watching a blank canvas transform into a piece of art. I am so greatful for this gift.

On another note, looks like the house I have been renting since mid-january has been sold! so much for the hurting housing market. My landlord put it on the market about month ago (after my 6 month lease ended) and it has found a buyer. So, I will be needing to find another place for me, my dog and cat and my work. If you know of anything for rent that would be suitable for what I need, I would greatly appreciate any help and information.

Also, if you are looking for me on Church Street in the artists alley in Burlington, we have been temporarily moved to the alley between city hall and the firehouse gallery. I have only made it there the past two saturdays which also coincides with the farmers' market (held in city hall park).

A heads up for August events:

Artist reception at STAART Gallery in St. Albans on Aug. 22 from 7-9pm
August 30th and 31 is the MadRiver Valley craft fair.

Artist: Jane Bower

2008-07-24T09:53:00.002-04:00

It's time to introduce some of the new artists displaying work at Staart for our summer season! We'll start off with Jane Bower. See her bio below and visit her page to see more of her work.

"Jane Bower began her life in Woodstock, VT and moved to Pittsford, NY when her father continued his professional photography career at Eastman Kodak in Rochester. Both parents encouraged her interests in music and art. When Jane retired from a 20-year teaching career, she returned to study art. Jane began her studies with three dimensional design, painting with acrylics, calligraphy, and pottery courses at CCV. She continued with a weekend watercolor course at the Fletcher Farm School, a Chinese ink painting weekend at Shelburne School for the Arts and Crafts and numerous other workshops. Jane is an amateur who enjoys experimenting with mixing many media in the same painting. She loves the flow of watercolors and the boldness and texture of acrylics. Often trees are the subject of her work because of their variety, strength and because to her they represent courage. "

Friday Highlights

2008-07-21T10:27:00.003-04:00

We had another great turnout Friday night for our featured artist reception. Although some familiar faces were missing, it was great to see some new ones. The six featured artists included Deborah Benoit, Lisamarie Charlesworth, Robert Chaperon Jr., David Juaire, Tinka Theresa Martel, and Longina Smolinski. If you didn't get a chance to come by Friday night, their work will be up through the end of September.

David chatting with some fans…

Lots of new painting and photography up to see…

Lisamarie greeting a guest…

Stay tuned for details on our next featured artist reception to be held on August 22nd!

Our Next Reception

2008-07-10T09:46:00.000-04:00

Things to Do on Thursday

2008-07-02T09:33:00.002-04:00

Another invite from the Artist in Residence Gallery. You know you're gonna leave work early Thursday anyway…go see some art!

You are invited to an artist reception at the Artist In Residence gallery

to celebrate the artwork of this month's four featured artists:

Nancy Hayden - Oil Paintings / Mixed Media

Pam Kraut-Voss - Fiber Arts / Photography

Pat Murphy - Large Acrylic Paintings

Jo Ann Wazny - Photography

Date: Thursday July 3, 2008

Time: 5:00 - 8:00 P.M.

Please forward this invitation to someone you know who might also be interested in attending. Bring a friend!

Located at 349 Main St., Enosburg Falls, VT.

The Artist In Residence is a Cooperative Gallery located on Main Street in Enosburg Falls, VT. The gallery is open Wed-Sat 10-5 and Sunday 12-5. Please join us on the first Thursday of each month for our monthly Artist Reception.

(802) 933-6403

Art's Alive Chalk Contest Rescheduled

2008-06-26T16:43:00.001-04:00

Bah, rain stinks…

Here's an update from Art's Alive President Roberto Fitzgerald:

I just wanted to give you an update on the Chalk Pastel Competition. This event was rescheduled twice due to rain. It is now scheduled for this Saturday, June 28th from 10 am to 4 pm at City Hall Park in Burlington. If any artists are interested, they are welcome to attend. We have over $500 in cash and prizes to give away for ages 7 to 107, in several different age groupings. The event is free and open to the public. We give out chalk pastels for people to use!

Student-painted chairs available for sale

2008-06-24T09:49:00.003-04:00

Tyler Smith works on a chair during last year’s program at City School.

Middle school students were busy this winter hand painting about a dozen colorful chairs in the Mural Painting program under the direction of Amanda Bates, Albans Educational Center art teacher and Open Doors after-school program instructor.

Six of the remaining wooden works of art are now for sale to the public on a first come-first serve basis at the STAART gallery at 42 Main Street throughout the month of June for a $50 donation to the program.

“The students have worked so hard on their various mural projects this year and it’s so impressive to see their great works of arts,” said Suzanne Skaflestad, Director, “We are very fortunate to be able to collaborate with a supportive community organization like Staart.”

The Open Doors program is designed to assist middle students in meeting state and local academic achievement standards in core subjects by providing enrichment activities.

-Cynthia Humiston Weed
Open Doors Public Relations Specialist

For more information and tickets call Open Doors at 524-2600 or visit
http://www.franklincsu.org/opendoors.

Reception Tonight

2008-06-05T10:12:00.001-04:00

I just got this today, but if you're free this evening, it looks like there is a reception at AIR in Enosburg.

Featured Artist: Stina Plant

2008-05-28T08:00:00.000-04:00

Last but not least, here's a sample of my work on display in the Staart gallery! I have a website too…

Stina'a bio:
Stina Plant is a professional photographer and artist working in her native community of St. Albans, VT. She graduated from Syracuse University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Photography. The marriage of the journalistic, commercial, and artistic approaches to photography influences her style in all three genres. Five years of working as a photojournalist at the St. Albans Messenger newspaper has given her a quicker eye, but her artistic background is a reminder to always look for an unusual angle. Even her work in weddings has taught her to be ready for the decisive moment. It has only been since 2006 that she has returned to devoting time to her own artwork. Preferred subject matter includes night subjects and macro photographs. Although Stina is just starting her artistic career, she has participated in several exhibitions in Syracuse, NY and a group exhibition at the Maine Photographic Workshops in Rockport, ME. She is also at member of the Vermont Professional Photographers.

Featured Artist: Barbara Hamm

2008-05-26T08:00:00.000-04:00

Barbara Hamm's growing reputation as a talented water color artist precedes her. See some of her work here.

Barbara's bio:
Barbara Hamm is a familiar face in the St. Albans area. She is an active member in several community organizations and is a member of the Bishop Street Artists. She credits her artistic start to her supportive grandmother. "I was introduced in a very positive manner," she recalls. The rest of her artistic education came partly from the nuns who taught at the Catholic elementary and high school she attended and partly from her own experimentation. Barbara likes to try other media and likes egg tempera, but her mainstay is watercolor. Her paintings depict the things she likes and the places she's traveled to. "Painting makes me happy," she says.

Featured Artist: Colleen Yandow

2008-05-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

The combination of Colleen's natural subjects with the canvas printing technique makes her photographs look more like paintings. The bold colors and textured of the canvas make her images jump off the wall. See Colleen's work here.

Colleen's bio:
Colleen Yandow is a graphic designer at Messenger Print & Design in St. Albans as well as a licensed massage therapist. Her canvas-printed photography blends both of these worlds as they contain both graphic and meditative elements. Colleen has been an inspired artist since grade school. “Picking up a camera is a natural instinct,” she says. She can see a photograph in everything she sees. “If it’s frame-able, it’s my subject.” Colleen loves learning so she’ll try any other medium she can get her hands on. Discovering a new technique is part of the creative process. Colleen also enjoys kayaking, hiking, yoga, painting and gardening.

Grant Opportunities

2008-05-22T10:03:00.001-04:00

My friend Susie Posner Jones who is the Regional Partnership Coordinator for Franklin-Grand Isle Community Partnership is going to be hosting members from the Vermont Community Foundation on Friday, June 6. They are meeting with lots of local organizations to introduce themselves and in particular have planned a meeting with the local arts community that day at 3:00 at the Staart Gallery in St. Albans. The steward that is coming is interested in the art and cultural heritage community for projects they may like to fund. It is a good opportunity to learn more about VCF and the different grant rounds as well as putting the art community of Franklin County on their map!

They are visiting to educate the community about VCF – the organization and the grant making. They are hoping to get some information from local artists about:
-What is attractive to you as an artist in Franklin County?
-What are the challenges of being an artist in FC?
-What is the network for artists in FC; support? Fundraising? Etc.?
-How does the art community impact the larger economic development of FC?

This meeting is open to all local artists and arts organizations. This is a very informal discussion – they are just looking to sit down and get to know Franklin County and vice versa. And hey, if they're looking for ways to give out money, it can't hurt to find out about that!

So Friday, June 6, 3:00 at Staart. Hope to see you there!

Featured Artist: Robert Chaperon Jr.

2008-05-21T08:00:00.001-04:00

Robert has taken a hobbyist's interest and turned it into an avid artistic pursuit. See his work on display in the Staart store or visit his personal website for more samples of his work.

Robert's bio:
Born in Texas, Robert has been a Swanton resident since 1970. He went to high school at MVU, studied electrical engineering at UVM and is currently employed at IBM. Robert’s interest in photography started in 2003, when he started hiking the many trails in Vermont and New York. Awakened by the natural beauty that nature presents, he felt a sensation within that he wanted to share with others through photography. Sensations such as the cool spray of a waterfall splashing one’s face on a hot summer day, standing on a mountain top observing the colors and reflections of the sun setting over a lake in the west, or turning around and seeing the mountain shadow form a peak stretching its way towards the full moon rising in the east. Bob’s photography knowledge comes from reading many books and with much practice. His engineering education has allowed him to easily learn the technical part of digital photography. He acquires his artistic knowledge from reading many books written by authors such as Scott Kelby, Tim Fitzharris, and John Shaw. The most important part of being an artist of photography for Bob is expressing his inner feelings while having fun. He believes fine art photography should draw from our emotions.

Staart Open Studio!

2008-05-19T10:21:00.003-04:00

Staart is participating in Vermont Open Studio this weekend, May 24-25. It promises to be an exciting event as arts aficionados tour the state. I have maps at the gallery for anyone who would like to grab one. We're number 180. If you would like more information you can visit the Vermont Crafts Council website or contact me. Staart will have several of its painters in the gallery on both days so if you would like to get an up-close glimpse of these artists at work, then please stop by. Refreshments will be available! Hope to see you.

Kim's a Busy Bee

2008-05-19T10:14:00.002-04:00

One of Staart's artists, Kimberlee Forney has a few things coming up to make note of:

"Memorial Day weekend is the 16th annual VT OPEN STUDIO WEEKEND. I am very excited to be participating in this event. My studio/house will be open from 10am-5pm on SATURDAY MAY 24 AND SUNDAY MAY 25. Check out www.vermontcrafts.com for more information. My studio is # 156 on the art map (a blue brochure), which can be found at shops and stores throughout Vermont. The address is: 260 Barber Farm Rd. in Jericho (on the corner of rt. 117--only two miles from exit 11 on interstate 89).

In other art news Jazz fest in Burlington is fast approaching (May 30-June 7). Look for me on Church street during this time. Also, I am pleased to announce that I will be having a feature show at Nectar's in Burlington in conjunction with Jazz fest. The show will be up from May 29-end of June. If you haven't been to Nectar's lately (or at all), be sure to check it out! It is a great space, newly revamped and promoting not only musicians, but also local visual artists with monthly shows and art events."

Featured Artist: Kelly Duprat

2008-05-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

Kelly Duprat is our talented jewelry artist with a wide selection of her modern pieces on display here at Staart. She's a busy girl keeping up with orders for her in-demand necklaces, earrings and bracelets! See some of her work here or check out her website for a wider selection. Kelly takes custom orders too!

Kelly's bio:
This native Nova Scotian found her way to Vermont a few years ago after studying design in Montreal. As a trained Interior Designer the leap into jewelry design seemed like a natural step for her. Kelly has a fresh and unique style that is clearly exhibited throughout all of her collections. She enjoys working with a variety of materials such as glass, wood, semiprecious stones, pearls, crystals and silver. She designs and handcrafts each piece with the highest regard for quality to provide her customers with a unique selection of beautiful jewelry. Kelly has a wide selection of her handmade pieces available at the Staart Gallery in St. Albans.

Not Hopscotch

2008-05-16T09:19:00.002-04:00

This sounds like fun! If you go, takes pictures and send them to me and I'll post them on the blog!

Art's Alive, Inc presents

Sidewalk Chalk Pastel Competition

The Sidewalk Chalk Pastel Competition is a unique art event that celebrates "live" art on a temporary canvas, allowing artists of all abilities to participate. This event is open and free to the public.

The goal of the pastel competition is to bring the Artist out in everyone whether it is the professional, weekend artist, amateur, student artist or child.

This event is at the heart of what Art's Alive is all about: bringing Art Alive!

The Sidewalk Chalk Pastel Competition is underwritten by the Main Street Landing Company and sponsored by Dore & Whittier Architects, Freeman French Freeman Architects, Black Horse Fine Art Supply, Discover Jazz Festival.

Date: Saturday, May 31st, 2008
Time: 10AM to 4PM (Judging: 4PM, Awards: 4:30PM)
Location: Burlington City Hall Park

Event Details
Each participant will receive a set of chalk pastels for their use during the event and will be allowed a 5' x 5' area of sidewalk. Sets will be available on a first-come first-serve basis and shall be returned when the artwork is completed. Artists are welcome to bring their own pastels if they wish. Artists may work individually or as teams.

We encourage everyone to arrive early. Artists may bring a photo or copy of the artwork they wish to reproduce. Reproductions of masterpieces are permitted.

Awards
Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:
Adult
Youth Ages 15 to 18,
Youth Ages 11 to 14, and
Youth Ages 7 to 10.

Musical Chairs!

2008-05-16T09:07:00.004-04:00

Let me know if you make a chair or send me a pic and I'll post it here on the blog!

The Vermont Youth Orchestra Association seeks local artists working in all mediums to submit a “music inspired” chair design for the “Musical Chairs” Exhibit & Silent Auction, scheduled for Friday, November 7, 2008 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at a yet-to-be-determined location in the greater Burlington area (We are working on a few cool location ideas!).

The “Musical Chairs” event marks the culmination of an online auction of over one hundred items taking place during the month of October. Artist chairs may be featured within the online auction in order to gain starting bids. All completed chairs will be prominently displayed and sold to the highest bidders during the Exhibit & Silent Auction on November 7.

Details for Artists:

1. Donated chairs for artists to paint or embellish in any medium are available for pick up as of May 16 at the Elley-Long Music Center at Saint Michael’s College, located in Fort Ethan Allen in Colchester. Artists may drop in between 9am - 5pm, Monday through Friday, to select a chair and register to participate in the event.

2. Artists are asked to be mindful that this event is youth-oriented when executing their designs.

3. All chairs must be completed no later than October 1. Please contact the VYOA at 802-655-5030 or info@vyo.org to arrange the drop-off for completed chairs. Please plan to submit an artist bio and the source of inspiration for your Musical Chair at this time.
All proceeds from the “Musical Chairs” Exhibit & Silent Auction will directly benefit the programs of the Vermont Youth Orchestra Association, including orchestras, choruses and summer camps for young musicians.

For more details call 655-5030 or visit our website at www.vyo.org.

Featured Artist: Mary Ann Duffy Godin

2008-05-16T08:00:00.000-04:00

Mary Ann has taken time in retirement to refine her artistic skills and it is apparent in her work. See samples of Mary Ann's work in the Staart store.

Mary Ann's bio:
Mary Ann Duffy Godin is new in the art world since she spent most of her adult life teaching at Milton High School as a business/technology teacher and raising five children. She retired from teaching in 2004 and decide to build on two drawing courses she had taken—one at the University of Vermont with Ed Owre and the other with Robert Huntoon at CCV, both of whom taught the classical approach to drawing. She has dabbled in drawing but since 2004 has mainly concentrated on the medium of watercolor. She credits Jean Cannon as being a valuable mentor. She is a member of the St. Albans Artists Guild, the STAART Gallery and the Milton Artists’ Guild. She is drawn to even the ordinary whether it be a still life with cloth, the simple beauty of flowers or everyday objects. She celebrates the humble.

Featured Artist: Chad Jenkins

2008-05-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

Chad is another newcomer to the local art scene. View his flower close-ups that border on abstraction in the Staart store.

Chad's bio:
Chad Jenkins is a native Vermonter, born and raised in St. Albans. He describes himself as a “wicked amateur” when it comes to photography. Chad’s first serious experience in photography came in 2000. He went with the Vermont Army National Guard Public Affairs Unit on a humanitarian mission to Belize, Central America. He signed on as a “tripod bearer” but ended up taking thousands of photos. Chad chose this medium because “I can’t paint, and my clay modeling skills are limited to snakes.” Chad spends most of his free time gardening and traveling. Chad works full-time for the Army National Guard and lives in St. Albans with his wife and daughter.

Featured Artist: Deborah Benoit

2008-05-12T08:00:00.000-04:00

Deborah could be labeled as a photographer and digital artist. She refines colors and adds textures to her photographs to produce some interesting results. See samples of Deb's work in the Staart store or visit her personal site.

Deborah's bio:
“I grew up in Burlington, Vermont and where I also attended high school. I was married at an early age, had two daughters who have given me 7 grandchildren. I have always liked taking pictures. The passion for photography wasn`t there when I was younger like it is now at an older age. Now at the age of 59 it is something that I love and try to do as much as possible. I am a very passionate self-educated amateur photographer with a variety of subjects in my photos. I carry my digital camera most places I go as there could be a photo opportunity anywhere. For me, photography is seeing what you can create with the camera. It is creating art. I constantly strive to improve my talent to become a better photographer than I am now. In the process I am having a wonderful time being creative and nurturing my soul. It makes me happy to bring joy to someone who has viewed my art and has felt something. I sometimes use Photoshop to enhance a photo I have taken to help to make it look more like a painting. I am now living in Williston, Vermont.

Featured Artist: Harald Aksdal

2008-05-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

Knowing Harald's history is the key to understanding his technique so be sure to read his bio below. His paintings are so meticulous that they are best seen in person. See samples of his work in the Staart store here and visit his personal site for even more!

Harald's bio:
Harald Aksdal retired from a long career in architecture only to immediately launch his second career as an artist. In his three years as a professional artist, his work has gained widespread acclaim. Harald's thirty-five years of experience as an architect are evident in the intricacies and detail of his ink drawings. But he also craved a level of creativity found outside the structure of his discipline and was soon drawn to the fluidity of watercolor. In his work, he combines both of these sensibilities. Harald's subject matter is chosen through a passion and deep respect for the rural and natural world, especially trees. In his own words he says, "the subject chooses me!" Each piece begins with an on-location sketch and is then completed in the studio. "I try to move beyond my architect's critical eye to incorporate touches of the abstract in an effort to convey a sense of presence and substance, as well as my admiration for the subject." Harald's work has been included in several juried exhibitions throughout Vermont including the Shelburne Farms Annual exhibition and in several art galleries including the Emile A. Gruppe Gallery in Jericho and the Bryan Memorial Gallery in Jeffersonville. He was born in Haugesund, Norway and educated in the United States. He now lives in Fairfax.

Featured Artist: Mary Fletcher

2008-05-07T08:00:00.000-04:00

Mary's photographs depict a range of subject matter, but some of my favorites are her abstractions. See Mary's work at Staart here.

Mary's bio:
Born in Burlington Vermont, Mary Fletcher came to Franklin County in the early 1980’s to settle and raise a family. Photography has always been one of Mary’s passions, having purchased her first 35mm camera at age 16. Mary’s many interests are shared by her 4 children, including photography. “One of my greatest pleasures is spending time with my children (all grown now) and enjoying their many interests. From them, I have learned so much!” Mary currently attends Woodbury College, where she is pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Advocacy/Prevention. In addition to attending school, Mary also works as the Office Administrator at RE/MAX Destinations in St. Albans Vermont. “When time allows, I enjoy travelling, gardening and taking aerial photos with my best friend Jeff as pilot. I have learned so much about myself through my photography, and I am grateful for the support from all of my friends in my endeavors.”

Featured Artist: Nelson Parker

2008-05-05T08:00:00.000-04:00

Nelson Parker is the perfect example of new technology combining with traditional practices to produce beautiful results. See more of Nelson's work here.

Nelson's bio:
Nelson is a black and white photographer living in northwestern Vermont.

Working extensively with 5x7 and 4x5 field cameras, he employs traditional film-based photography combined with digital imaging techniques.

The photographs here are an attempt to connect with his immediate surroundings, as all of them were taken either within walking distance of his home or within a 20 minute drive.

He feels it’s important to live in the landscape he’s interested in photographing as that is the best way to really get to know an area’s moods and subtleties at all times of the day and in all seasons.

The Gala

2008-05-04T13:26:00.005-04:00

Well, the St. Albans Artists Guild annual show and gala has come and gone again and it was another great year. Well, actually if you're reading this right now, you still have until 4:00 to get your keister up to the St. Albans Historical Museum to see the show. All the work is new, so you're guaranteed to see work you've never seen before. As usual, it's a great display!

David Juaire took some pics during the gala (I was happy he did so that I had more hands for eating and drinking). I thought I would share a couple and eventually there will be a slideshow on the guild's website. I must say the wine (really) flowed and the canolis were unbelievable! It was so fun to get out and chat with everyone. Job well done, especially to Sheri Moore and Karen Day-Vath who helped pull it all together.

I especially liked this one of Corliss looking guilty! Hey, I didn't stray too far from the food table all evening.

Franklin County Student Show

2008-05-03T13:40:00.000-04:00

The Franklin County school-wide art show will be open to the public from May 5th to 12th at the Collins Perley Sports and Fitness Center in St. Albans. Many area schools are participating in the 7th annual event. This is always a huge show with hundreds of student pieces in all types of media. Friends, family, and the general public are also invited to the opening reception on Monday the 5th from 5:30-7:30 pm.

Featured Artist: Suzanne Kenyon

2008-05-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

Suzanne has spent the past few years honing her photographic expertise and improving the quality of her work. She has an eye for the graphic elements that make a photograph stand out from the rest. See Suzanne's work on display here.

Suzanne's bio:
Suzanne Kenyon has her hands full raising her four children in Swanton, Vermont, but she still finds a little time to devote to creating art. A lifelong Vermonter, Suzanne's photography has evolved from a small hobby to a more serious endeavor. Although she enjoys taking plenty of family photos, she also likes to turn her lens on nature. "I'm always intrigued by the changing seasons," she says. Through her photography she is always inspired by what surrounds her and hopes that it will keep her focused on what nature has to offer. Suzanne's creativity was given a boost when she switched from using film to shooting digital. The limitless boundaries of digital photography have allowed her more room to experiment. Suzanne also dabbles in watercolor and charcoal. Suzanne won a first place award in the "Up Close" category of the 2006 St. Albans Messenger Photo Contest.

Thursday at AIR

2008-04-30T09:33:00.003-04:00

I got some additional information about this Thursday's reception at Artist in Residence. There are four featured artists. See below…

Harald Aksdal - Pen and Ink/Watercolor

Rebecca Bennett - Paintings, Drawings, Photography

Corliss Blakely - Oil Paintings/Giclee Prints

Toby Fulwiler - Wooden Bowls

Date: May 1, 2008

Time: 5:00-8:00 pm

Bring a friend! Located at 349 Main St., Enosburg Falls, VT

The Artist in Residence is a cooperative gallery located on Main Street in Enosburg Falls, VT. The gallery is open Wed-Sat. 10-5 and Sunday 12-5. (802)933-6403.

Featured Artist: Chepe Cuadra

2008-04-30T08:00:00.000-04:00

Chepe's large-scale oil paintings of barns command the viewer's attention with his use of bold colors, bright skies, and heavy strokes. Several of Chepe's original works are currently on display at Staart. Get a preview here.

Chepe's bio:
Chepe Cuadra has been creating art for the past 30 years. He has studied art in Managua, Nicaragua, San Francisco, California, Barcelona, Spain,and Johnson, Vermont. In many of these places he has also displayed his art in shows. Chepe has a Bachelors Degree in Art from Johnson State College and is currently working towards a Master’s Degree in the same program. He now shows his art at the Artists in Residence gallery in Enosburg Falls and the Shelburne Art Center, and is a Member of the Saint Albans Artist’s guild. In his works has used many different media including oil, oil pastel, dry paste, print, ceramic, masks in paper mache’ and sculptures in wire mesh. He has a studio in Saint Albans city.

A reception for Corliss Blakely

2008-04-29T09:25:00.001-04:00

Corliss is one of the featured artists at the Artist in Residence gallery in Enosburg this month with a reception this Thursday, May 1st from 5 too 8 pm.

Featured Artist: Leonis Sayfire

2008-04-28T08:00:00.000-04:00

Leonis is a newcomer to the Vermont art scene, but it has always been her dream to pursue her creative aspirations. See more of Leonis's work at Staart here.

Leonis's bio:
Leonis Sayfire was born in Burlington Vermont while her parents were away from home for business from Long Island, New York. While attending Suffolk Community College she worked for the school newspaper as their events reporter while working towards a Liberal Studies degree. She took elective courses including 2D and 3D traditional art classes and photography. She followed her mother back to Vermont in 2001. Since then she has independantly studied various spiritual pholosophies, has completed the training of a Reiki Master and has been doing volunteer graphics work for unsigned musicians. She is also acting a small supporting role in an independant film to be shot in New York City this summer. She is working on building a web based photo-retouching business and would like to return to school to pursue a degree in secondary education. Leonis has been doing nature photography for many years and has just recently expanded her skill into the digital realm. She is also an abstract digital rendition artist, animator and writer.

New Work at Champlain Collections

2008-04-25T16:35:00.002-04:00

Last night was the opening reception for three artists at Champlain Collections in St. Albans. Barbara Hamm, Louise Counos, and Faith Newton all have some beautiful work on display in the gallery. Barbara and Faith both work in watercolor and Louise concentrates mostly on pastels. It's worth a visit!

Maple Fest Displays

2008-04-25T16:30:00.002-04:00

Middle school students in the Open Doors after-school art program combined their love of art and maple syrup when they artfully painted a dozen sap buckets in time for the Maple Festival.

Their colorful thematic creations, created under the guidance of St. Albans Town Educational Center instructor Amanda Parker Bates and City School art teacher Kathy Brown, will be used two-fold this weekend: They’ll be on display all weekend at a dozen area businesses and, on Sunday, will be filled with candy for distribution to parade-goers by students walking in
the procession.

Buckets can be seen at: Howard’s Flower Shop, As the Crow Flies, Kevin Smith’s Sports Connection, Bayberry Cottage, RSVP, St. Albans City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, STAART Gallery, Sweet Nothings, Park Café, and Betty's Flower Basket.

Open Doors is a 21st Century Community Learning Center program designed to assist middle school students in meeting state and local academic achievement standards in core subjects by providing enrichment opportunities. Programs are based at the St. Albans City and St. Albans Town Educational Center.

For more information on Open Doors call at 524-2600 or visit http://www.franklincsu.org/opendoors.

Featured Artist: David Juaire

2008-04-25T08:00:00.001-04:00

Many people will probably recognize the name and the work of David Juaire. David has been an area landscape photographer for many years and his work has been frequently published in the pages of Vermont Life Magazine. See the work David has on display at Staart here.

David's bio:
David Juaire was born and raised on a dairy farm in Franklin County. “I have always appreciated the beauty and solidarity of the remote pastoral scenes, rolling meadows, stony pastures, stone walls, back roads, woods and babbling brooks. I purchased a 35mm camera 28 years ago and I taught myself by reading books, magazines and just experimenting with different films, lenses, lighting and especially god’s gift to recognize a scene that would make a good photograph. Ten years ago I bought a used 2 1/4 format camera which took me to another level and encouraged me to be more artistic. My interest in photography kept growing as I was selling photographs to Vermont Life Magazine that were featured in the magazine’s pages, calendars and other publications. I have also sold many calendar pictures to the Co-Operative Insurance Co. I recently purchased a 10 megapixel camera. Although a former film diehard, digital photography has allowed me to experiment and continue my growth as an artist. There is no end in sight to learning about photography. “

Featured Artist: Lourdes Bielsa

2008-04-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

Lourdes is an artist that is new to northern Vermont, but her paintings of birds and local wildlife can be appreciated no matter where you live. See more of Lourdes's work at Staart here.

Lourdes's bio:
Lourdes Bielsa moved to Swanton Vermont from St. Petersburg Florida in October 2007. She was born and raised in South America. Some of her early memories are from hiking in the mountains and sensing the force of life in the Cloud Forest. She came to the United States to pursue her degree in Wildlife Ecology at the University of Florida. It was there she began to feel the need to depict the beauty of nature through images and color. Her mother and grandfather were both visual artists, always with a brush or a pencil in hand. They painted portraits, boats, and houses. However, it was animals and landscapes that capture Lourdes’ passion. Painting wildlife is Lourdes’ way to portray and share what she feels is beautiful and truthful in the world. Her favorite subjects are birds of the wild, because of their beauty and freedom. Watercolor is her favorite medium because it is transparent, fluid, and spontaneous in its nature. She is looking forward to capturing Vermont’s natural beauty through her watercolors. Lourdes has exhibited her work in various wildlife art shows in Florida. Some of her paintings have won awards in the Tampa Bay area, where she has sold many prints and paintings.

Featured Artist: Robert Malbon

2008-04-21T08:00:00.001-04:00

Bob Malbon is one of the few artists we have on display who is not currently a local. Although he resides in Maine, he's no stranger to the Vermont landscape…especially the bird's eye view. Bob frequents the Quechee Balloon Festival to capture his striking images of hot air balloons now on display in the gallery. You can see more of Bob's work at Staart here and visit his website to see even more.

Bob's bio:
"I started with photography in college with a 35mm camera loaded with Kodachrome aimed at sporting events. I soon upgraded to a Nikon F with better glass and B&W film. A workshop with Lee Parks taught me the Zone System. When I became the darkroom manager at the Project, Inc., a Cambridge MA art school, I was provided the opportunity to do a 4x5 workshop with Minor White. That opened the door to teaching darkroom techniques and the Zone System. While working for several years in advertising photography, I also focused on architectural projects. After moving from Boston to rural Maine, I was without access to a darkroom and drifted away from photography and into cabinet making. There I stayed for 30 years! Digital came to the rescue and today I am rediscovering the pleasure I used to find in hunting down the perfect photograph. I have always been intrigued by the beauty of wild creatures and the wildscapes here in New England. Currently I am spending part of my photography time here in Vermont working on several ongoing projects for Vermont Life magazine. When at home on the Maine coast, I look for the perfect wildlife photo opportunities."

Celebrate Clair

2008-04-19T13:55:00.005-04:00

Friday night, new Staart artist held a personal reception to celebrate her first public showing of her work. A good crowd showed and she made some great sales, so good for you Clair! (That's her in the top left…finally smiling after the nerves wore off.)

Featured Artist: Karen Day-Vath

2008-04-18T08:00:00.001-04:00

Karen Day-Vath is a versatile artist who displays a wide range of talent. Equally impressive is her involvement in the area arts community to which she is an active member. See the work Karen has at Staart here and visit her website here.

Karen Day-Vath is a self taught artist working in oil and acrylics. Karen was born in New York City and grew up in Manhattan. She lived in Staten Island until moving to Vermont in 1995. While living in Staten Island she gained an interest in oil painting but the priorities of job and family forced her to stop. In 2002 she decided to explore the world of oils once more and in the past two years she has been working with acrylics and mixed media. Karen enjoys painting abstracts that are bold and bright, and believes that color matches the spirit and emotions. She states, “I love bright and bold colors and it seems I cannot get away from them. No matter how subdued the colors are when I begin to work, the color always takes over. My work is more expressionism than anything else. I like the creativity of experimentation and the freedom of expression that I feel when I paint an abstract and as the paint goes on the canvas it begins to come together.” She also enjoys painting florals and landscapes on occasion and loves impressionistic works, especially those of Monet and Van Gogh.

Featured Artist: Kimberlee Forney

2008-04-13T18:58:00.002-04:00

Kimberlee Forney is one of the latest additions to the Staart Gallery. She has a really unique style that puts a smile on my face and has caught the eye of everyone who has been in since we hung her paintings on the walls. You can see more of her work at Staart here and she has her own website with even more stuff and info on her social missions here. Enjoy!

Here's Kim's bio:
Growing up in northern Vermont, Kimberlee Forney enjoyed creating art at an early age. She developed her artistic and technical skills while attending Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. While there she studied various artistic mediums, including printmaking, lithography, sculpture, drawing and painting. After graduation, Kimberlee’s fantastical style developed out of a basic idea involving a lively and musical bar scenario with human-like forms embedded in the scene (titled “Jazzy at the Bar”). Her business, Natural Expressions, was formed and other pieces involving various cultural scenes, animal forms, and landscapes soon followed. Her favorite subjects to explore relate to the beauty and spirituality present in the natural world and in the cultural world surrounding us. She reproduces her paintings in the form of limited-edition giclee prints at North Seven Studios in Brandon, Vermont. Kimberlee displays at the Brandon Artists’ Guild in Brandon, the Helen Day Art Center in Stowe, Art on Main in Bristol, The Northern Vermont Artist’s Association (NVAA), Kennedy Bros. in Vergennes, the Chaffee Art Center in Rutland and the Artisan’s Gallery in Waitsfield. She also displays art on the PBS online art’s gallery. When the weather is right, she enjoys to paint and display her artwork in the artist’s alley on Church Street in Burlington.

Featured Artist: Clair Dunn

2008-04-13T18:57:00.002-04:00

To kick off our featured artist series, we'll start with artist Clair Dunn. She currently has a large selection of her photographs on display at Staart including many solarized black and white images that are just haunting. Below is her bio and you can see her work here. This Friday evening, Clair is holding a reception at Staart from 5 -7 pm. Stop by and meet the artist!

Clair Dunn lives in Fletcher, Vermont on land that has been in her family since 1867—land that is not only in the family, but in her blood. The result of her second visual career is on this wall. And it is deeply Vermont. Clair’s Vermont. The disparity between her earliest memories of Vermont in the late forties and the current state of the State. Memories of the cold water hand pump in the kitchen, the functioning outhouse near the woodshed, the incredible advent of the second-hand pull-chain flush toilet, followed by a squeeze-handled hot water faucet and a bathtub, memories of sitting by the big window and watching the very few cars go by at night in the ‘50s and being able to tell who it was by the shape of the tail-lights. It was a world without strangers. Those driving on your back road were your neighbors, the same ones on the four and eight party lines connected to the weighty black phone with the distinctive ring. Impossible now to capture the source of these memories, her photographic work seeks to capture what is left that summons these memories—the faint traces of what is gone, what little is left, and what she knows is going. The camera may record in color, but Clair sees and feels in black and white, then and now. Above all—or beneath all—is rural Vermont. Taking to heart the words of the great Depression Era photographer, Dorothea Lange: The camera is an instrument that teaches people to see without a camera. Clair will continue to seek out her black and white visions of her black and white Vermont.

Featured Artists

2008-04-10T10:14:00.002-04:00

Starting Monday, April 14, I will be starting to publish a featured artist series on the blog. Each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday will feature the bio of one of our artists with a few pics of their work. It will be a great way to introduce each person and let you get to know them and their work a little better. Stay tuned!

Friday's Show

2008-04-06T18:33:00.006-04:00

Here's some photos from the Franklin County Art's Alive reception at Union Station in Burlington from Friday night. The vodka-infused tomatoes were awesome!

Gail Salzman in 2 Shows!

2008-04-04T14:48:00.003-04:00

Below is information on 2 shows for local artist Gail Salmzan. Check them out!

ARTworksHERE

15 Vermont artists, April 4-24

*Opening Reception Fri April 4, 5-8pm

Firehouse Gallery, 135 Church Street

Gallery hours Mon-Fri 9-5pm, Sat-Sun 12-5pm

and

Gail Salzman

Paintings & Monotypes

now thru June 29

Fletcher Allen Hospital

Main Street Corridor

Gail Salzman

www.gailsalzman.com

269 Burnor Road

Fairfield VT 05455

802-524-5057

Coming up for Chepe…

2008-04-01T20:32:00.004-04:00

Chepe Cuadra painting the fountain in Taylor Park during "Celebrate St. Albans" 2007.

I was recently forwarded the following information: "Local artist Chepe Cuadra will be showing at SEABA Gallery in South Burlington. Chepe is a graduate of Johnson State College with a major in Art. He will have a one man showing at the gallery through April, titled "Fragmented Figure." Chepe is a member of the Saint Albans Artists' Guild who recently taught a master class in figure drawing at the STAART Gallery. In July he will also be teaching a month-long live life drawing class at the Firehouse Gallery in Burlington."

FC Takes B-town "Alive"

2008-03-30T15:52:00.012-04:00

That's right, the artists of Franklin County are displaying south of the county line for the month of April in the annual Franklin County display for Art's Alive at Union Station. We're taking Chittenden County by storm! The show will be up for the whole month of April and we're holding a reception this Friday from 7-9 pm. I'm all for enriching the St. Albans community, but once in a while it's nice to get out of town too. So join us Friday night. Below are some photos of the installation I took after hanging this morning.

You know the place right? Union Station at the bottom of Main Street in Burlington. If you miss it, then you'll end up in the lake!

Art…

Art…

Art…

And more art…

For those who have never been to the Union Station gallery, there are two floors.

Downstairs…

Upstairs…

…and the awesome bar for our "rockin" reception. Let's hope for nice weather (ahem, choke…yeah, right) because there is a beautiful waterfront view from the spacious outdoor veranda. Cross your fingers. See you there!

Up on the auction block

2008-03-27T15:43:00.004-04:00

Art's Alive is holding an event this weekend that some of you may be interested in attending. I know that there are a few Franklin County artists who are involved. The info below was taken from their website…

Please join us for our very first Live Art Auction on Saturday, March 29th at the Art’s Alive Gallery at Main Street Landing’s Union Station, One Main Street, Burlington.

It promises to be a great night with food, drink, and music by Taryn Noelle! Doors will open at 5pm for viewing, with the cash bar open at 5:30 pm. Taryn will kick things off for us at 5:45, and the auction itself will start promptly at 6:30 pm.

Be sure to arrive with enough time to register to bid—cash, checks and all major credit cards will be accepted! All proceeds benefit the individual artists and our continuing mission to promote local artists.

Care to preview the work? Just stop by the gallery at Main Street Landing’s Union Station, located at One Main Street, Burlington—the Auction Show is on display now. We received a great mix and there is definitely something for everyone!

If you have any questions concerning the event, please email us at info@artsalivevt.com. Hope to see you there!

One for the Team

2008-03-27T13:57:00.002-04:00

I just had to post this from a shoot I was at earlier today for the Messenger. St. Albans artist Meta Strick was one of several teachers who agreed to be targets for $3 a pop for a Samaritan House fundraiser at CCV. The fundraiser was organized by Vinny Miller, a member of CCV's student advisory board, and scheduled to coincide with Wellness Week. "If you donate to charity, it's good for your mind," he said. Good job Meta!

Musical Talent

2008-03-26T17:04:00.002-04:00

Betsy is a talented musician and a St. Albans native. See the release below sent by the Vermont Youth Orchestra on her upcoming performance:

Saint Albans Clarinetist Performs at Vermont Youth Philharmonia Spring Concert

Colchester, Vermont - The Vermont Youth Philharmonia, conducted by Anne Decker, presents their Spring Concert at 7:00 pm on Sunday, April 13 at the Elley-Long Music Center at Saint Michael’s College.

Guest clarinetist Elisabeth LeBlanc will join the orchestra to perform Mozart’s Concerto in A Major for Clarinet and Orchestra. A 1995 graduate of the Vermont Youth Orchestra, Ms. LeBlanc is part of a performing duo with pianist Annemieke Spoelstra. She is also an original member of the Heliand Trio, and has appeared as a guest artist with the Rochester Chamber Music Society. In 2006, she performed at the Boris Brott Music Festival in Hamilton, Ontario. She holds degrees in music and orchestral training from The Juilliard School and McGill University. She has studied with Ayako Oshima, Robert Crowley and Simon Aldrich. Born in Canada, Ms. LeBlanc grew up in Saint Albans, where she still resides. She maintains a clarinet studio at the Elley-Long Music Center at Saint Michael’s College.

The concert program also features the Overture from Mozart’s lively The Magic Flute, “Mars, the Bringer of War” from The Planets suite by Gustav Holst, and selections from the popular film Star Wars: The Phantom Menace by John Williams.

Vermont Youth Philharmonia is an orchestra of 80 members. They present three concerts each year, perform during annual school tours and participate in exchanges with other youth orchestras.

Tickets: $5 Adults/Seniors & $2 Students. Tickets are available at the door.

For more information, call 802-655-5030 or visit www.vyo.org

Partay!

2008-03-15T19:03:00.006-04:00

I'd like to think that between my three jobs I do a pretty good job of juggling all of my responsibilities, but it seems when receptions occur at the gallery I totally forget I'm a photographer. So that's it, I'll just have to hire someone from now on. Anyone interested in the job will be paid in cheese and crackers.

Anyway, another great time was had by all Friday night. Another big crowd packed the place echoing the sentiment that it's nice to have things like this to do around town. And while my goal is always to help my artists sell their work and market themselves, it's great to see connections being made between people.

Roberto Fitzgerald studies a photograph by Marcin Kropiewnicki.

Towards the end of the night when I finally remembered to take a picture, there were still quite a few people lingering.

Several of my good friends visited from out of town for the occasion so thanks guys! I don't get out much lately so it's great when people come to me!

Friday Reception

2008-03-13T10:45:00.002-04:00

Don't forget to come out for another great night of art appreciation and dialogue. The reception starts at 7. Stop by for a bit or stay the whole time!

Mark Your Calendar

2008-03-03T11:40:00.004-05:00

Julian Beever

2008-02-26T10:03:00.003-05:00

I spend a lot of time looking at other artists work online and people often email me things they find interesting. The video above shows chalk artist Julian Beever at work. He creates these amazing optical illusions with chalk. After snoring through 12 plus credits of art history when I was in school (not that that's not important too) I'm always happy to find art that's engaging and interactive and unique. Here is a link to some more of his work. I think it would be great for local artists to take one sunny day this summer and create their own chalk masterpieces (perhaps not optical illusions) all over St. Albans downtown. Anyone interested should contact me.

Julian Beever

February Updates

2008-02-18T09:07:00.002-05:00

Reminder that we will be holding a reception for our student artists on Wednesday from 5-7 pm at the gallery.

Also as a note, I've had to cancel our figure drawing sessions due to lack of registration and I may have to do the same for the Franklin County Arts Alive show for April. The deadline for entering is this week so if you'd like to see Franklin County represented down in Burlington, you better sign up quick!

This Sunday the 24th, the St. Albans Artists Guild will be sponsoring a figure drawing class led by Chepe Cuadra from 1 - 4 pm at the gallery. Registration is $30 for non-members. If you'd like to sign up for that get in touch with me.

Makeover madness

2008-02-05T11:50:00.000-05:00

I've been tweaking the layout and appearance of the blog, so please let me know if you experience any issues. I plan to add a few more features. The rest of the website is so close to being finished that I can almost taste it! I'll let you know when it's ready.

January Students

2008-02-01T17:51:00.001-05:00

The BFA student artists closed another month of a quality display of artwork with a closing reception yesterday at the gallery. Emily Billings, Autumn Parry, Robert Martel and Rachael Shepardson-Rudden were our featured artists for the month. Autumn Parry is hoping to turn her creative pursuits into a career and has applied to art schools including Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) for college next year. Wish her luck!

Left, doting father Jonathan Billings photographs daughter Emily next to her painting. Above, Autumn Parry has her photo taken by a reporter from the school's newspaper The Mercury.