March 2021
Bennington Museum Monthly
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Dear Friends:
This time last year, March 13th to be exact, the Museum, along with businesses and non-profit organizations across the country, began the difficult and uncertain process of shutting our doors and transitioning to a new COVID-safe working model. As we come up on our one year anniversary, we want to take a look back and savor some of the more special and memorable moments that we have shared with you, our community, who came together to support us through this time of adversity.
Jasen Frederickson (Visitors Services Manager)
In July 2020, right before our re-opening weekend, those heavy storms in Bennington caused water to back-up into the lobby of the Museum. It was all hands on deck after hours - we had board members, staff, family, and community volunteers all helping us move furniture, relocate artwork, and demo what the water had destroyed so that we could open to the public on time. Looking back, it really was a difficult moment, but I remember it as being so heartwarming and filled with goodwill. It was at that point that I knew the community had our back, and that felt good. Thank you.
Jamie Franklin (Curator)
This has been the year of new connections! From the NBOSS collaboration to the Across the Street exhibit created in partnership with the Town of Bennington both outdoors and online, we really made an effort to present and promote COVID-safe cultural activities. I am really proud of how all of these different local entities joined forces this year and how it made it possible for us to bring our mission to the public in new ways that surely we will continue to build upon in the future. Thank you to everyone who participated in making these happen, and to everyone who sent us notes telling us how much they enjoyed the final product. Your encouragement and enjoyment means the world!
Deana Mallory (Director of Public Programs)
This year we have offered more public programs than ever before. Since July over 700 people have participated in our online discussions, our summer outdoor workshops, and our virtual educational programs - that doesn't include the scores of people who attended the concerts in the courtyard or who ordered food from R&D Island Taste. While there were some familiar faces, many of our participants were new, which is wonderful! Further, this year we received several grants and anonymous donations to continue to grow our programming which validated our hard work and underscored the impact we were making. I am so grateful for everyone who has participated and/or contributed to our efforts during this crazy year. Thank you.
Thank you for sticking with the Museum during this year of change and challenge. We could not have made it through without you!
Warmly,
Please read on below to see what's in store for the coming month. As always, if you have any ideas, send a note to ideas@benningtonmuseum.org. We love hearing from you.
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Tuesday, 03/02
noon - 1pm
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A virtual conversation and viewing of rarely seen Vermont footage
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Thursday, 03/18
1:30pm - 2:30pm
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A free virtual event for pre-school kids
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A virtual Knitting Circle with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan
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A free virtual event presented by the Bennington Historical Society
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Opening Season Exhibitions
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The Museum is re-opening for the season on Friday, April 2nd
Museum hours for the spring will be Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday 10am to 4pm. Take a look below to see what great new exhibitions will be on display, and then plan your visit. We can't wait to see you again!
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Examining the poet's life and work in the context of the physical and cultural landscapes of southern Vermont during the period when he won 3 of his unprecedented 4 Pulitzers, 1920 – 1938.
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Apple Tree & Grindstone, 1923, J.J Lankes (1884-1960), wood engraving
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curated by Collections Manager, Callie Raspuzzi
The highs and lows of love and heartache, from Victorian wedding gowns to scandalous tales of sexual harassment.
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curated by Director of Public Programs, Deana Mallory
Showcasing the work of art teachers at all of Bennington’s and the adjacent towns’ schools in the first ever Teacher's Art Show at Bennington Museum.
Church View by Emily Umphlett,
teacher of art at Shaftsbury and Woodford Elementaries
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by J Stoner Blackwell
Neveruses are lumpish, androgynous painting-objects comprised of scavenged plastic bags and colored fibers such as wool yarn and silk thread. These hybrid devices are neither useful nor redundant, although both are implied.
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Featuring black-and-white photos and some more colorful samples drawn from four decades of the artist's work, including images of avant-garde performers, cloistered nuns, racetrack workers, and pioneers of gay liberation.
Ravin Bass, Brooklyn Day Program, Coney Island, NY
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For last year's winter exhibition, we invited elementary schools classes to write poems responding to "Vermont Utopias." This one is from the 1st graders at Molly Stark and has a bonus illustration.
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VT Will Be…
By Ms. Burr and Ms. Strouse’s First Grade Class
VT will be…
like Candyland,
with robots and helpers to help people,
especially if there are fires.
VT will be…
a place with rainbows everywhere,
the sky, houses, just all over everything.
It will also be a place to ride dirtbikes.
VT will be…
Sunny, but dark with lots of astronauts and robots.
Horses will rule.
VT will be…
a place with villains and castles,
it will have water, earth, air and fire.
VT will be…
a house where there is a playground,
where we can swing and be happy.
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Quilts Madness!
Help us narrow down the choices for next quilt to be displayed on our Textile Rack in April. Voting is open until the end of the month, so don't miss your chance to tell us what you want to see!
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Log Cabin quilt, 1880-1900
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Pysanki Eggs for Springtime
Spring is just around the corner! In the spirit of the season, the Museum Store will be showcasing the beautiful creations of talented Vermont artist, Theresa Somerset, who is best known for the intricate Ukrainian/Batik Art Eggs that she decorates using a wax and dye method known as Pysanki.
These eggs, which are available in a variety of sizes, are traditionally displayed in homes around Eastertime in decorative bowls, or hung on trees. If you are looking for a unique gift for someone special, visit the Museum Store online or come in person once we re-open on April 2nd just before Easter.
Prior to re-opening, eggs may be shipped or picked up at the Museum by appointment when you make your purchase. Proceeds from these sales benefit both the Museum and the artist.
Looking ahead, Bennington Museum will be inviting Theresa to host an outdoor Pysanki workshop at Bennington Museum once the weather gets warmer. Keep an eye out for the announcement!
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Bennington Museum engages and transforms our visitors and our community by connecting you to the region’s diverse arts, rich history, and culture of innovation.
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