October 4, 2023
SOUTHERN VERMONT ARTS CENTER
860 Southern Vermont Arts Center Dr, Manchester, VT 05255
“The Southern Vermont Arts Center is a multi-disciplinary arts organization in Manchester, Vermont. It is located on the west side of West Road, at the former Yester House country estate.” - Wikipedia
I enjoyed my visit to this small, quaint art museum. There were three exhibitions with many interesting pieces.
The first, “Ashley Bryan: The Spirit of Joy” had works of the award-winning illustrator and author. The exhibition had Bryan-made toys, puppets, and illustrations taken from his home. He said, “I want the spirit of joy to fill anyone who comes into my home.” The exhibition had many interesting pieces.
The second was “The Wee Worlds of Salley Mavor.” Mavor uses bas-relief embroideries to illustrate books and tell stories. “Viewing her artwork up close is like immersing yourself in make-believe miniature worlds full of characters, props and scenery, all created by hand with stitching, fabric, beads, wire, and found objects.” (Museum description) Her work was very detailed.
The third exhibition was “For The Love of Vermont,” was a collection of art that captures Vermont’s unique character, people, traditions and landscape prior to the 1970’s from the collection of Lyman Orton, proprietor of the Vermont Country Store. This was the first time the collection had been exhibited. It was an wonderful collection.
Ashley Bryan, "Oh, Lord I want to be in that number, when the children play in peace." From the book Let It Shine: Three Favorite Spirituals.
Ashley Bryan, "Two Flutists", 1950, Oil on paper.
Ashley Bryan, "Now Spider's feet felt the sweet beat of Granny's steps. Together they sang: 'Shake it to the East, / Shake it to the West, / Shake it to the very one / That you love the best.'" From the book: The Dancing Granny
I love Bryan's quote.
Salley Mavor, "Self Portrait: A personal History of Fashion" Mavor describes this piece as a spiritual timeline.
Salley Mavor, "Cover Up" This collective portrait features women from around the world, each with a head covering that reflects the conventions of a particular place, social class, or period in history.
Blown up pictures of the figures in "Cover Up."
Cover of Mavor's book, My Bed: Enchanting Ways to Fall Asleep.
Scene from "Mary Had a Little Lamb."
One of Mavor's political cartoon scenes.
"Lyndonville Fair", c. 1950, Oil on canvas, Paul Starrett Sample.
"Country Fair", c. 1947, Oil on canvas, Aldro Hibbard
"The Birches", 1940, Oil on canvas, Luigi Lucioni
"Barn Near Jamaica, VT", Oil on canvas, Aldro Hibbard
"Nestled Barns", 1948, Oil on canvas, Luigi Lucioni
Black River at Downers, Weathersfield, Vermont", Oil and graphite on Masonite, Eric Sloan
"Vermont Harvest", Oil on canvas, Irwin Hoffman
"Gathering Sap", 1947, Oil on canvas, Stephen Belaski
Chandelier in the entryway.
All of the works in the "For the Love of Vermont" exhibit are published in this book.
Untitled, Burr and Burton Academy Students
"Continuity", Christopher Yockey
