Illimnation at VCFA
Also happening last night was the annual Illumniation Night at the Vermont College of Fine Arts campus. I heard it had very high attendance. I wish I had remembered about it and found my way there, instead of where I actually was–down the hill in the center of town, where Art Walk was happening–not.
At the risk of offending some hard working folks, I admit I was utterly disappointed with last night’s quarterly Art Walk. In contrast to September’s Art Walk, which showcased not only a large number of different working artists, but a wide variety of styles and media, this month’s event was badly attended (we only ran into a handful of other Art Walkers) and confusing. I’m sure this had nothing to do with the fact that I handed the brochure to my friend and told him to lead. Since I did not study the offerings beforehand, I followed. ..
We started at The Lazy Pear Gallery at the corner of Main and Spring Streets, with a show called “A Partridge in a Pear Tree”, featuring holiday themed ornaments / gifts by Beth Robinson and Mary Jo Krolewski. While Krolewski’s soft, fuzzy sewn food replicas were charming, they seemed to be the same pieces I saw on my last visit (admittedly over a year ago). This exhibit was confined to a small corner in the front gallery. The rest of the space was dedicated to the usual mix of LPG’s stock artists, a few pieces each. Boring. Highlights: Robert Hitzig’s new shellac paintings on wood–the artist with the most work on display (beside, maybe, Jan Van Fleet)–they are contained and neat, each one an elaboration on the next. Also, Timothy Fisher’s fabric scenes, which I always enjoy for their fairy tale-like quality.
We worked our way downstreet. Too late to visit the library, which closed at 5:30 (when we finally started). It’s okay, though, since they’ve already had separate events to talk about/showcase the art on display.
Up next: City Center complex. The Skinny Pancake was displaying new work by Arthur Zorn, messy, abtract, but colrful still life paintings. Distinct contrast to September’s show, which displayed his collaborated works with Sandra Bissex, a series of spare graphic swooshes in a limited color palette. The biggest problem with viewing art at the Skinny Pancake is that it is relegated to the area above the customer’s heads. Actually, this is a major problem at most venues that are a part of this walk.
An aside about this “up over our heads” trend in non-galleries displaying art: As a viewer, I find it inconvenient and difficult to maneuver around diners, their tables, the servers in restaurants and eateries. There is no way to get close enough to the pieces to really understand the brushstrokes, etc. It’s so frustrating! Suggestion: Venues, please consider only art that compliments your space! Artists, please carefully consider how people view your work when choosing venues and specific pieces for your exhibit! Why go to all the bother of a badly arranged show that will only be seen by a few people?
Glad I got that off my chest.
The halls of City Center displayed an varied and cliche collection of pieces from members of Central Vermont’s Art Resource Association. None of the dozen of so artists were available for discussion and the cookies and cider were hidden in afar corner, beyond Santa’s display (where I imagine he will be this afternoon). [ I had forgotten that ARA also had a show at the T.W. Wood gallery that night, where there was also a silent auction. ]
Something was happening at The Artisans’ Hand, but we couldn’t tell where the Art Walk display was, though we did find the fruit bread, cider and snickerdoodles.
The Shoe Horn on Langdon Street is another place that puts art too high for proper viewing. There we found Linda Wooliever’s batik on silk paintings. I enjoyed the pieces in the first room, which were splashes of bright tropical colors. The silks were not only dyed, but also embellished with sequins and such (I couldn’t tell). The second room featured a series of about midwifery. Together, it seemed an artists’ sketchbook on the way to a final piece. None of these were embellished, and held on to dark jewel tones throughout. A definite let down after the promising start. At the Shoe Horn, one feels compelled to walk through the show beginning at the entry door, ending at the 2nd room. Since there is no exit there, one must walk all way back to the beginning. I don’t really like doing it this way.
Global Gifts, across the street from TSH, had nothing of note, though the brochure promised Katherine Davis’s first photo show in Vermont. This is the second time I’ve Walked to GG and found the art not on display. Last AW’s display was too high to see.
Over on State Street, the group at Capitol Grounds seemed like a private party, and only a couple of them said hi to us as we looked at the show. It was an eclectic mix of fun colors, small graphic collages and paintings. I enjoyed the small-sized animal paintings, which utilized bright colors. My friend liked the more subdued coffee-colored mixed media pieces. One piece was already sold–the one I liked the best. There were garish-looking cupcakes for the crowd, though since there were plenty left, and no one partaking, we chose to leave them be.
To the Jennifer Palkowski and Robyn Peirce’s credit, they invited quite a few friends to the opening (they seemed the only people there)–and those friends SHOWED UP! I think it was really sweet.
We had tried to go to the Langdon Street Cafe (but as usual) I got to the door, the odor eminating from the closed door repelled me. We peered into the window of the packed cafe and saw a few multi-media collages hanging on the walls.
Over at the Governor’s office, Elizabeth Nelson’s display was the most disappointing of the night. Most of the photo/paintings shown were in September’s show in the cafeteria. It was just the artist and the security guard chatting it up. This was so not worth the rigamarole of having to show ID at the door.
Also not worth it was the Victorian Christmas tree in the State House. It was late when we got there, and the cafeteria was closed.
Thankfully, the best show of the night (that we saw) awaited us at Restaurant Phoebe, where Graham Burmeister had a wonderfully cohesive showing of portraits, landscapes, and other paintings spanning over 70 years of work. We did arrive after 6 pm (their official end time, so diners can eat without interference), but Phoebe was gracious and let us wander through.
I know of Graham since he had been painting with Billy Brauer’s group on Thursdays, where I sometimes model. So personally, I enjoyed viewing the work of someone I knew. Graham’s colors and compositions harken back to a time gone (or going) by. His renderings are highly realistic and evoke, in a Hopper-like way, lonely and untalked about stories.
This is the second time I’ve Walked through RP. September’s photo show also appropriately used the available space AND fit the personality of the venue. I am definitely going to be returning to this venue to see what other surprises I find.
We continued up Main Street, to Rhapsody, where Mark Chaney’s digital collages lined the walls. They were mostly medium-sized pictures in muted monotones of layered nature images. Eh. Chaney was very active in talking about his work, a refreshing change.
The Drawing Board was our last stop. Lark Upson’s portraits hung behind the register. They were flat characters on flatter backgrounds.
Actually, our ultimate stop was The Black Door, where the bar was full, and the blonde barmaid was glad to see us.
In Retrospect:
Since we did not go up to the College, I’m guessing we missed a party (I hate that!). Not only was it Illumniation Night, but ARA also had a show at T.W. Wood gallery, which hosted a benefit for Craft Emergency Relief Fund. Had I remembered about it, I might still have decided to stay in town. The reason? It’s not in walking distance. we had parked at LPG, and would have to walk back to drive to the campus. Not very convenient. I think it’s great that this is a part of AW, but it’s too far from town to Walk it.
A little disclosure: I am spoiled by Brattleboro’s monthly Gallery Walk. Having grown up there and seen the GW movement grow from a group of ten merchants to almost 50, I knew how much an event like this can become a beautiful part of the downtown culture. People PLAN for Gallery Walk. So of course, I cannot help but compare my experience.
I admit, though, that I have never been to either Burlington’s Monthly Art Walk (or Art Hop?), or Bellows Falls’s Third Friday Gallery Walk (which I can’t find info on). They are too far for me to drive, except occasionally. I had been thinking about going to see The Word Show at Flynndog though. Until then, I can just read this review.
Addition: Brattleboro’s Gallery Walk photos are up now on ibrattleboro.com
