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Craft
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Craft / Whimsy Who's Leaving Inspirational Painted Rocks Around South Burlington and the South End?
Posted By Dan Bolles on Thu, May 14, 2020 at 3:52 PM
Like most Vermonters abiding by the rules of self-isolation and quarantine, I've been talking a lot of walks. Once a day or more, my furry sidekick Mookie Petts and I venture out for a lengthy constitutional to get some air, stretch our six legs and generally do what we can to avoid losing our minds. (He's doing a better job at the last than I, most days.)
Since mid-March, our usual outdoorsy haunts have become overrun. Formerly peaceful, these excursions to places like Red Rocks Park and Mount Philo State Park have become nerve-wracking experiences — less cardio than an exercise in passing silent, fuming judgment on our peers: What does six feet look like to you, pal? You know your mask doesn't work if it's around your neck, right? Can you get the virus from your poop bag left on the side of the trail?
So these days, we've been spending more time closer to home, jogging on a wide recreational path nearby or aimlessly wandering the quiet streets of our burbs-y neighborhood along the border of Burlington and South Burlington. It's been far more enjoyable than white-knuckle walks in the woods — and not just because it's typically less crowded.
Since mid-March, our usual outdoorsy haunts have become overrun. Formerly peaceful, these excursions to places like Red Rocks Park and Mount Philo State Park have become nerve-wracking experiences — less cardio than an exercise in passing silent, fuming judgment on our peers: What does six feet look like to you, pal? You know your mask doesn't work if it's around your neck, right? Can you get the virus from your poop bag left on the side of the trail?
So these days, we've been spending more time closer to home, jogging on a wide recreational path nearby or aimlessly wandering the quiet streets of our burbs-y neighborhood along the border of Burlington and South Burlington. It's been far more enjoyable than white-knuckle walks in the woods — and not just because it's typically less crowded.
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Craft Essex Craft Show Moves Online
Posted By Margaret Grayson on Thu, Apr 30, 2020 at 5:26 PM
Megan Rose was a toddler when her mother, Kathy, and a group of other volunteers founded the Essex Craft Show in 1981. That first show took place in the Essex High School gymnasium as a yearbook fundraiser. When the bazaar outgrew its venue, Kathy Rose and Sally Washburn professionalized it and launched Vermont Craft Workers, Inc. Nearly 40 years later, the craft fair is one of Vermont’s largest. It takes over the expo center at the Champlain Valley Exposition every spring and fall.
Well, except this spring. Instead, due to the coronavirus, the craft show is moving online. On Saturday, May 2, the Roses will launch a webpage at essexcraftshow.com where over 175 exhibitors will have virtual “booths” featuring photos of their work, links to websites and ways to order.
While many exhibitors are offering special deals through Sunday, May 3, Megan Rose said the website will remain live through June, so Vermonters can shop at their leisure.
Well, except this spring. Instead, due to the coronavirus, the craft show is moving online. On Saturday, May 2, the Roses will launch a webpage at essexcraftshow.com where over 175 exhibitors will have virtual “booths” featuring photos of their work, links to websites and ways to order.
While many exhibitors are offering special deals through Sunday, May 3, Megan Rose said the website will remain live through June, so Vermonters can shop at their leisure.
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Craft Death Doula Introduces Mourning Bracelets
Posted By Kymelya Sari on Thu, Jan 31, 2019 at 12:12 PM
As a death doula and a funeral celebrant, Anne-Marie Keppel doesn’t shy away from talking about death. But for most of us, death is a difficult subject to broach. That's often especially true for those who have recently lost loved ones.
Long gone are the days when people would wear mourning clothes, so it isn't always obvious when someone has suffered a loss. “There’s no signal to each other that [we] are in pain,” Keppel noted. "I think it's a societal change that we need to have."
Last week, the 41-year-old Craftsbury Common resident introduced the mourning bracelet. It’s a visual cue to others that the wearer needs space, understanding and solidarity.
Long gone are the days when people would wear mourning clothes, so it isn't always obvious when someone has suffered a loss. “There’s no signal to each other that [we] are in pain,” Keppel noted. "I think it's a societal change that we need to have."
Last week, the 41-year-old Craftsbury Common resident introduced the mourning bracelet. It’s a visual cue to others that the wearer needs space, understanding and solidarity.
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Craft / Dance / Music Vermont Arts Council Exhibit Spotlights New American Artists
Posted By Kymelya Sari on Tue, Jul 17, 2018 at 12:24 PM
The Vermont Arts Council is on a mission to broaden the definition of who a Vermont artist is, said director Karen Mittelman. "There are new groups of Americans who are enriching [the] landscape in ways that most people don't see and recognize," she said.
Mittelman is hopeful that the arts agency's latest photo exhibit will introduce residents and visitors to the state's diverse cultural landscape.
With help from the Vermont Folklife Center, the VAC has assembled a collection of photographs for its Spotlight Gallery that feature the music, dance and fiber traditions of local Bhutanese, Bosnian, Burundian, Karen, Somali and Tibetan communities.
Mittelman is hopeful that the arts agency's latest photo exhibit will introduce residents and visitors to the state's diverse cultural landscape.
With help from the Vermont Folklife Center, the VAC has assembled a collection of photographs for its Spotlight Gallery that feature the music, dance and fiber traditions of local Bhutanese, Bosnian, Burundian, Karen, Somali and Tibetan communities.
Monday, May 14, 2018
Art / Craft A New Ceramics Studio Takes Shape in Burlington's South End
Posted By Sadie Williams on Mon, May 14, 2018 at 5:41 PM
It’s said that, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, you should make it yourself. Ceramicist Brielle Rovito seems to have taken that philosophy to heart.
A year ago, Rovito got married and moved to Burlington from Minneapolis, Minn., to be closer to family. Leaving a ceramics-focused shared studio, she was hoping to find something similar in her new home, but didn’t. So she started the Form Collective, which now hosts three ceramicists in a cozy second-floor studio at 180 Flynn Avenue.
On Tuesday, May 22, 5-9 p.m., Rovito will host an open house with her studio mates, Taylar Main and Lindsay Van Leir, who moved in over the winter.
A year ago, Rovito got married and moved to Burlington from Minneapolis, Minn., to be closer to family. Leaving a ceramics-focused shared studio, she was hoping to find something similar in her new home, but didn’t. So she started the Form Collective, which now hosts three ceramicists in a cozy second-floor studio at 180 Flynn Avenue.
On Tuesday, May 22, 5-9 p.m., Rovito will host an open house with her studio mates, Taylar Main and Lindsay Van Leir, who moved in over the winter.
Monday, February 26, 2018
Sports / Craft Abenakis Gather for Traditional Snow Snake Game in West Barnet
Posted By Kymelya Sari on Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 9:01 AM
Last Saturday, about two dozen people gathered in West Barnet to play the traditional Native American winter game of snow snake. The games also coincided with the official opening of the Nulhegan Abenaki Cultural Center.
"This is an ancient Native game," explained Donald Stevens, chief of the Nulhegan band of the Abenaki nation. "You slide a stick down the track. Whoever goes the farthest wins."
"This is an ancient Native game," explained Donald Stevens, chief of the Nulhegan band of the Abenaki nation. "You slide a stick down the track. Whoever goes the farthest wins."
Thursday, April 13, 2017
Art / Craft Tlingit Weaver Ricky Tagaban Visits Johnson State College
Posted By Rachel Elizabeth Jones on Thu, Apr 13, 2017 at 6:35 PM
"We don’t have a word for art in Tlingit," says Ricky Tagaban, "because
almost everything that we would make would have a crest on it."
The significance of languages — written, spoken and visual — and their intrinsic relationship to multiple identities is a strong thread that runs through the artist's tandem engagements as a contemporary artist, indigenous weaver and drag performer.
The Juneau, Alaska-based artist is in residence this week at Johnson State College, as part of the university's annual Ellsworth Lecture programming. Tagaban delivered his talk, “Weaving Politics and Process: Expressing Northwest Coast Textiles Through a Two-Spirit Life,” on Wednesday, April 12, and will offer a public weaving demonstration on Friday, April 14, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Dewey Hall Commons.
almost everything that we would make would have a crest on it."
The significance of languages — written, spoken and visual — and their intrinsic relationship to multiple identities is a strong thread that runs through the artist's tandem engagements as a contemporary artist, indigenous weaver and drag performer.
The Juneau, Alaska-based artist is in residence this week at Johnson State College, as part of the university's annual Ellsworth Lecture programming. Tagaban delivered his talk, “Weaving Politics and Process: Expressing Northwest Coast Textiles Through a Two-Spirit Life,” on Wednesday, April 12, and will offer a public weaving demonstration on Friday, April 14, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Dewey Hall Commons.
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Craft / Media Vermont PBS and Frog Hollow Spotlight Green Mountain Artisans
Posted By Rachel Elizabeth Jones on Thu, Feb 2, 2017 at 5:35 PM
Last March, Frog Hollow Vermont Craft Gallery partnered with Vermont PBS' "Made Here" program to spotlight some of the state's star craftspeople in The Frog Hollow Green Mountain Artisans. On Tuesday, February 7, at 7 p.m., PBS will re-air this pilot episode, which was directed by local photographer and filmmaker Natalie Stultz.
It features Enosburg Falls bowl turner Alan Stirt, Burlington sculptor Kate Pond, Granville glassblower Michael Egan and Bennington jeweler Ivy Long. Three new half-hour episodes will air each Tuesday for the rest of month.
Friday, July 8, 2016
Art / Craft State Craft Center Announces Artisan Grant
Posted By Rachel Elizabeth Jones on Fri, Jul 8, 2016 at 10:15 AM
Frog Hollow Vermont State Craft Center has announced a newly established Artisan Grant Program in support of the state's makers, both emerging and established. The program will offer four different types of grants, ranging from $200 to $2,000.
Monday, February 15, 2016
Art / Craft For Stacie: Artists Rally to Support the Zipper Lady
Posted By Rachel Elizabeth Jones on Mon, Feb 15, 2016 at 4:17 PM
A lifelong artist, crafter and upcycler, Stacie Mincher of Rutland has earned her reputation as "the Zipper Lady" through her dedication to her quirky zipper jewelry business. On January 11, Mincher suffered a stroke caused by complications of pituitary tumor surgery. She is not expected to return to her craft for at least a year.
But artists and community members are coming together to support Mincher's recovery: Frog Hollow Vermont State Craft Center, which carries her work, will host a benefit event on Saturday, February 20. It will feature a live and silent auction of donated works — more than 50 artists have contributed so far.
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