ART in VERMONT in ART ------Siders
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A Tribute To Catherine Orr — page 7 MAY 7 – MAY 20, 2015 Artist Chris Miller ART IN VERMONT IN THIS ISSUE: Vermont Arts Council Turns 50 4: Building Proposed Near Sabin's Pasture by Carla Occaso 8: Teen-run Filmmaking Group The first legislative general fund allocation for how they plan to celebrate this milestone. To focus on media, primarily outside the state, the Vermont Arts Council in 1965: $500. mark the 50th anniversary of public funding to try to build the arts as part of the Vermont 11: Walk & Roll Week Fiscal Year 2015 legislative general fund al- for the arts, the council decided to “really brand,” Bacon said, explaining that people location: $654,439.00 shine a spotlight on what is going on out might come here primarily to ski, but once there and to put a virtual tent around this they get here, the council wants to make sure MONTPELIER — If you have seen a public incredible integrated arts culture throughout people can find out about the performances, building or a road construction project cre- exhibits, and events. “It is a pretty new thing 12: Mary Admasian Art ated or renovated in recent years, you prob- Exhibit for the arts council to have that as part of ably noticed sculpture or other art forms in- our mission,” she said, speaking of the coun- termingled with the brick and mortar. Court cil’s foray into travel marketing. houses, bridges, rest areas, state offices and city centers were all recipients of arts projects As for taking a specific time to observe the vetted and funded through the Vermont actual anniversary, Bacon said the council Arts Council, as long as the construction officials will hold their annual meeting in budget was big enough — $1 million ini- June and will take the time to revel. “It will PAID tially. Individual artists and nonprofit orga- be an outdoor celebration in our sculpture U.S. Postage U.S. PRSRT STD Montpelier, VT Montpelier, Permit 123 NO. CAR-RT SORT nizations also get funding from the council, park in Montpelier. We want it to be some- which is celebrating its 50th year. thing that is open and inviting to everybody. We are creating the anniversary club,” Bacon The 1965 legislature voted the Vermont Arts said, while also noting it is also the 50th Council into existence with a $500 alloca- Sculpture by Chris Miller anniversary of the National Endowment for tion that was free of a lot of guidelines the Arts. Public funding has allowed many except to promote and preserve excellence arts organizations as well as individual art- in art. Compare that with fiscal year 2015, the state” rather than create a single event, ists to develop new work. when the state allocation was $654,439 and said Bacon. A number of arts projects have the total operating budget hit $1.8 million. been designated as “2015 arts events” and For example, recent grantee Heather Bryce, Back in the 1960s, then-governor Phil Hoff will be identified by the 2015 arts logo de- of Montpelier, a dance choreographer, said lent his full support, and wrote the following signed by the council. Those events include the $3,000 creation grant she received in the council’s first annual report issued in Lost Nation Theater’s performance of “Eu- through the arts council this year is allow- 1966, “We acknowledge today that if the rydice,” a variety of art exhibits, a granite ing her to develop an exciting new outdoor arts are not an immediate and significant exhibit in Barre, and a craft conference at performance. Bryce wrote to The Bridge in part of a man’s life, he has been deprived of Goddard College. The schedule is online at an email: “It's a site-specific piece that will his heritage.” vermontartscouncil.org. be performed at Wrightsville Reservoir in Middlesex on August 15 at 7 p.m. We are The Bridge recently sat down with Kira The council seeks not only to promote mul- inviting the community to participate di- Bacon, communications manager for the tiple arts events all over the state for the rectly in the performance of the piece (the Vermont Arts Council, to find out about enjoyment of locals, but also to attract out- performance is titled ‘Lonesome Bend’ after siders. “We have a public relations effort to The Bridge 1143 Box P.O. VT 05601 Montpelier, Continued on Page 10 PAGE 2 • MAY 7 – MAY 20, 2015 THE BRIDGE Nature Watch by Nona Estrin Watercolor by Nona Estrin Need A Gentle Rain oday I drank lots of water, planted more lettuce and put up the hummingbird feeder. If only the apples would hurry and blossom before these flying creatures arrive! I've now heard our resident broad-winged and red-shouldered hawks, a Thandful of warblers, and the winter wren. Softwoods are full of the remarkable song of tiny ruby-crowned kinglets and a big woodchuck has come out of the hedgerow to inspect the garden fence. And so much more: insects and an explosion of woodland wildflow- ers. In the vernal pond up in the hardwoods, spotted and Jefferson salamander eggs have appeared on submerged twigs. How to meet such transformation? I need a few days of gentle rain before I can unfold into this sudden summer! Watercolor by Nona Estrin THE BRIDGE MAY 7 – MAY 20, 2015 • PAGE 3 HEARD ON THE STREET Montpelier High School Names New Principal Zoning Administrator Steps Down, New ZA Appointed MONTPELIER — School authorities have chosen Michael McRaith as new principal to MONTPELIER — Dina Bookmyer-Baker has stepped down as zoning administrator, serve at Montpelier High School starting next school year. Sue Aldrich, chair of the school according to Mike Miller, planning director with the Department of Planning and Com- board, said McRaith made a favorable impression during the April 14 board meeting. The munity Development. Miller said the job is very fast-paced. “Dina was with the city for announcement came weeks after Principal Adam Bunting said he has taken a new job as a two years as the part-time zoning administrator from February 2013 to March 2015. She principal in Chittenden County. resigned March 11 and her last day was March 26,” Miller wrote in an email. A new zoning Following is a brief Q&A between McRaith and The Bridge: administrator will start this month. According to Miller, “Her name is Sarah McShane and she lives in Waterbury Center and currently works for the town of Underhill. Her first day Carla Occaso: Where did you grow up? will be May 18 and she will be an excellent addition to the team.” McRaith: I grew up in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Occaso: What are your academic passions? Local 64 Moving Down The Street McRaith: I am strongly interested in social emotional learning for all students. I am inter- ested in helping all students develop excellent executive functioning in order to meet their MONTPELIER — Local 64, the self-styled “coworking hub and creativity incubator,” own goals and push themselves to be their best. will be moving in early June from 5 State St., where it currently occupies 1,800-square-feet Occaso: How did you come to be a principal? on two floors, to a 3,300-square-foot space on the second floor at 45 State St., over Asiana McRaith: I taught English in Japan and was a high school guidance counselor before be- House and the North Branch Café. Local 64 rents space to independent workers, telecom- coming a principal. muters, and startups, and also hosts community events. Occaso: What do you look forward to about being principal of MHS? Owner Lars Hasselblad Torres, who started the novel project in 2012 and also serves as McRaith: I am looking forward to joining a learning community that cares deeply about director of the Burlington Generator, a “maker space,” said things have gone well for the students and is willing to adapt and grow the opportunities of the 21st century. Montpelier business, though it has seen some “ups and downs” due to seasonal variations in McRaith works at Enosburg Falls Junior/Senior High School, where he has been for past six occupancy. He hopes to attract more clients in the larger space. Both the old office and the years, first as a guidance counselor, and then as principal since 2013. Prior to that he taught new one are owned by Montpelier Property Management, which Torres said has been “very English in Japan. helpful” with the move. Local 64 is soliciting designs for its new space from local artists, fabricators, and designers. EMES Board Promotes Assistant Principal It has also been asking for donations via Kickstarter to help with the move and associated construction and rehab costs. Torres said he has been “super-excited to see how people have EAST MONTPELIER — In the wake of East Montpelier Elementary School learning it jumped in to help us out” with donations. For more information on Local 64 and its pricing will lose Principal Marion Anastasia to a school in New Hampshire, the board has decided plans, go to Local64.com. to hire the current assistant principal to fill her shoes. In an email to The Bridge, Assistant Principal Alicia Lyford wrote that she has worked as assistant principal for the past five years and that “it has always been my nature to push myself beyond my comfort zone, and I can Pho Restaurant Moving into Village Pizza Space honestly say I have thoroughly enjoyed each opportunity that has presented itself over the MONTPELIER — A new restaurant is moving into 89 Main St.