Local Artists Gear Up For Chandler Events

Each spring, Randolph’s Chandler Gallery is host to a visual art show, not unlike its counterpart, the Mud-Season Variety Show, which affords the talents of Central Vermonters a broad showcase.

"The Local Artist Show was already a well-established tradition when I arrived at Chandler in 1998," says executive director Becky McMeekin. "It is a tradition that the area’s most prominent artists as well as school children, and all level of experts and dabblers in between look forward to as an opportunity to get productive…and brave. For many, it is the first time they have ever displayed their work to the public."

Long-time Gallery Committee member Andrea Easton has been hanging the show for 12 years and always finds the mix refreshing, every show taking on its own "flavor." From year to year she has seen over 60 artists with up to 150 works in the show.

Nina Gaby, who has been curating the show for the past two years, finds it both energizing and heartwarming to see the array of efforts.

"We tend to forget that this is what the expressive arts are really about," Gaby says. "It’s not so much about money and acclaim as it is about art being one of the true vehicles of communication we have."

Each year, the committee invites local experts to judge the show, offering not only awards in specific categories, but also offering the winners a group show, "Selections," the following year.

Winners from last year include Dick Ellsworth, Kathrena Ravenhorst-Adams, Tamara Wight, Don LaHue, Gene Parent, and a new prize for the Committee’s Pick Award, created to honor work that is both skillfully conceived and connecting with the community at large, went to Sandy Cooch.

Ric Kadour, Vermont editor of Art New England and owner of Kasini House, publishers of the Vermont Art Guide; well-known Randolph artist Ronni Solbert and Robin Palmer, Communications Specialist for Gifford Hospital are this year’s judges.

In honor of the Fiddlehead Festival on May 5, this year’s Committee Pick will reflect the theme of Vermont’s "working landscape," and will be awarded for the best "Impressions of Vermont." Committee Chair Wink Willett describes the Fiddlehead Festival as an exciting new community event which celebrates Vermont’s agricultural heritage and its arts—past, present and future. May 5 has been set aside as a day for all of us farmers, artists and community members to come together to mark the return of Spring, the season of new beginnings and vibrant growth.

The Chandler Center for the Arts will accept submissions for the 2007 Local Artist Show from all Central Vermont Artists regardless of age or medium. Drop-off times are Monday, April 2 from 10 a.m.-12 noon and Tuesday, April 3 from 4-6 p.m. in the Gallery at Chandler, 73 Main Street, Randolph. There is a small fee per submission, with a maximum of two pieces per artist. Chandler takes a 30% commission on all sold works. Works do not need to be for sale.

The show opens with a reception for the artists on Saturday, April 7 from 5-7 p.m., and as always, the gallery is open during music hall events. The show runs through May 6. You can contact Nina Gaby at nina@ninagaby.com for additional information, or call the Chandler at 728-9878.

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