A few weeks after my Orquevaux adventure, I set off to Vermont Studio Center for a 3 week residency. Not surprisingly, this experience was completely different and yet very important for my growth as an artist. While I connected with many of my fellow residents with whom I am still friendly, this experience was more solitary and reflective for me.  I was able to push my “Impermanence” experiment by finding materials around the banks of the

Gihon River which ran through the town and campus. 

 

As in France, I brought only a few tools with me, along with white glue, hemp twine, and toothpicks to use as fasteners. I created a large assortment of graceful shapes, hung them in my space, lit them with construction lights and filmed the entire process. Once the residency was over, I put the shapes

I created in the forest behind my studio so I could watch them deteriorate. To witness green shoots of friendly plants come up around the wilted shapes in spring was an emotional and cathartic experience. 

 

Vermont Studio Center History and Values

Vermont Studio Center was founded by artists Fred Osborne, Jon Gregg, and Louise von Weise in 1984. Nestled within the northern Green mountains, the residency program—originally named Vermont Studio School—welcomed its first cohort on June 18, 1984. In 1990 the School was renamed Vermont Studio Center and reorganized as a 501(c)3 non-profit with a board of trustees.

Today, VSC’s actions and policies remain grounded in the universal values of humanitarianism, compassion, respect, simplicity, and harmony. 

VSC embodies these values and integrates them into all aspects of the organization’s existence. The campus is preserved and developed in accord with environmental and ecological standards, and reflects Northern Vermont traditions of respect for nature, modest comfort, privacy, beauty, and an unhurried way of life.