Vermont Crafts Council Spring Open Studio Twenty-Mile Chester Art Loop

posted Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Vermont Crafts Council Spring Open Studio offers the Chester Art Loop in Southern Windsor County again this Memorial Day Weekend. Working together to present its varied and talented group of painters and special artisans, the 20-mile gang attempts to create a beacon to visit Chester and its surrounding towns of Andover, Weston and Ludlow.

Tsuga Studios, #19, on Goldthwaite Road off Route 11 West is a great starting place. Nick Kekic is a remarkable blown glass artist who offers demonstrations and a showroom full of beautiful decorative and functional blown glass. Martha Nichols, #30, will be showing large and small oil landscape paintings of Vermont regional scenes at her Howard Hill Road Art Studio. The paintings are richly colored, semi-abstract representations of scenes close to her home and studio in Andover. At Diane G. Bell Watercolor Gallery, #29, on Maple Hill Road in Weston, this watercolorist offers area landscapes, both matted and framed, as well as original note cards taken from her paintings.

Another must visit is Vermont impressionist Robert Sydorowich, #28, on East Hill Road with many new paintings in transparent watercolors and oils displayed in a restored nineteenth century barn. Bob, like Nick, is a longtime Open Studio member with a large following. Just over the line toward Ludlow from Sydorowich's place, Rich DeTrano, #27, will be demonstrating and offering his unique woodturnings and hollow vessels highlighting the natural features of wood, including its imperfections and peculiarities, creating a form that allows nature's beauty to be seen and enjoyed.

Janie Marie Dumas, owner of Little Cricket Photography, #25,is located at 22 Smith St. in Ludlow, and here she features her fine art photography. Her offerings are bold, dramatic, and varied photographs. Next you can come back south on Route 103 to Bonnie's Bundles Dolls, #20, in Chester's historic Stone Village and catch the magical faces, layered calico outfits and fancy hairdos at the stone house gallery of doll maker Bonnie Watters. Just down the street you can visit DaVallia Art and Accents, #21, at its new North Street studio. Jessie Alon's Fiddlehead Jewelry is made here, complimenting husband Michael's furniture, home dècor and garden accents.

Next continue toward Grafton on Route 35 to meet Conrad Delia, #22, who specializes in 18th century reproduction American Windsor chairs and tables, all handcrafted of wood harvested from his property. His tools and techniques are those used in the 18th century and finished with non-toxic milk paint. Practically next door on Popple Dungeon Road you can visit Atelier Annex, #23, featuring work in fabric and paper decorative art of Katherine Henry and the pottery, poetry and woodworking pieces of Harry Hudson, all in a magnificent presentation.

All these works are featured in May in Guilford and Fair Haven Vermont Welcome Centers where you can pick up the VCC map booklet or go online to download the Chester group map showing all ten artists' locations:

http://www.bonniesbundlesdolls.com/pdfs/open%20studio%20spring2014.pdf

Three galleries will have a storyboard, or simply follow the familiar wayfarer yellow signs to each of these ten fine Windsor artists' studios on Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For information contact:
Bonnie Watters
Doll Maker, Bonnie's Bundles Dolls
802.875.2114
[email protected]

Do you have news or information that would be of interest to our readers?
Email us at [email protected].
Helps Vermonters put three balanced meals a day on the table. Most households get at least $50 each month for food. If you qualify, you could get a monthly payment that helps you buy more food.
To learn more, visit vermontfoodhelp.com or dial 2-1-1.