Burlington positively oozes creativity — like, in a good way. You can witness it at work in the city’s varied galleries and exhibition spaces, which showcase local, national and international artists alike. When you’re ready to feast your eyes, mind and soul — or just have a lazy, wander-y afternoon — check out one (or more!) of these art hubs. To stay up-to-date on openings and must-sees, turn to the Seven Days art listings in print or online at sevendaysvt.com and subscribe to the weekly re:View e-newsletter.
Champlain College Art Gallery
375 Maple St., Burlington, artgallery.champlain.edu
Curator Chris Thompson is the rogue mind operating this modest, transitory space on the second floor of the school’s Center for Communication & Creative Media. The gallery offers a peculiar breadth of works and workshops, from paper made with underwear by the Peace Paper Project to an interactive VR sculpture by “digital nomad” Fernando Ramallo. A small house on campus allows Thompson — who also runs the Generator, a nonprofit maker space in BTV’s South End — to host national and international artists who may not otherwise find themselves in our fair city. Plenty of locals show here, as well — including graduating students working in fine arts and game design.
BCA Center
135 Church St., Burlington, burlingtoncityarts.org
This three-story gallery in a renovated firehouse has humble roots, having emerged from an arts council founded in 1981 by then-mayor Bernie Sanders. The center hosts approximately 12 top-notch contemporary shows per year — all free! — as well as classes, live performances and workshops.
Fleming Museum of Art
61 Colchester Ave., Burlington, flemingmuseum.org
With more than 25,000 objects in its collection, the University of Vermont’s museum combines permanent installations of art and artifacts with temporary exhibitions ranging from pop-art prints to student-curated shows.
Karma Bird House Gallery
47 Maple St., Burlington, thekarmabirdhouse.com
You never quite know what you’re going to get here, but it’s almost always good — KBHG is operated by Solidarity of Unbridled Labour, a design firm on the floor below. The gallery shares space with fancy coffee shop Maglianero Café, so you can get caffeinated and cultured all at the same time.
New City Galerie
132 Church St., Burlington, newcitygalerie.org
This downtown gem of a gallery is modest in terms of square footage but provocative in terms of shows, which feature contemporary work by Vermont and Vermont-connected artists. It also operates its own residency program.
SEABA Center
404 Pine St., Burlington, seaba.com
The home base for the South End Arts and Business Association hosts rotating exhibitions by Vermont artists working in Burlington’s South End Arts District. It’s also HQ for annual art-stravaganza the South End Art Hop.
The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery
266 Pine St., Burlington, spacegalleryvt.com
A South End institution, S.P.A.C.E. houses artist studios, screenings and events, and exhibits work by Vermont artists. What does S.P.A.C.E. stand for? Supportive Places for Artists and the Creative Economy, of course. Look for the spaceman mural.
This article appears in What’s Good 2017.
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