Art in the Parks Continues: Where to Go, What to See

Work by Lynn Sullivan

As most of you know, the Vermont State Parks have been hosting artists in several parks this summer, all of whom have been working on various projects and teaching workshops.

We hope you've gotten the chance to see a few installations in the Of Land and Local program, but if you missed some or are such a fan that you want more, here is a list of who is still out there and some info about what's to come:

Lynn Sullivan at the Groton Nature Center - Multimedia artist

Lynn Sullivan's installation will be up at the Groton Nature Center along the Coldwater Brook Trail (a moderate, family-friendly hike) until September 7th. Her work "plays with language juxtaposed against the backdrop of the natural world," she explains.

Directions: at the trail entrance off the far corner of the parking lot from the Groton Nature Center, walk left along the return leg of the Little Loop Trail. Continue left at next trail junction onto Coldwater Brook Trail in the direction of Big Deer Mountain.


Wendy Copp and Susan Raber Bray at Shelburne Farms - Natural Media

Work by Wendy Copp and Susan Raber Bray

Wendy Copp and Susan Raber Bray are at work on an installation that will stay at Shelburne for seasons to come. Using an invasive species of vine that grows on the property to weave sculptures, they have created an elaborate archway that will serve as an entrance to the installation on the knoll, which is located along the road that leads to the Coach Barn. Their plan is to create a pathway, perhaps with audio elements, that visitors can follow through the shady, wooded area. The pathway will end next to a fully functional, chair-inspired sculpture that looks in the direction of the lake. As one passing child said, "how did the beavers make that?"

The friends and artistic collaborators are also at work on other pieces made from bark and other natural materials found on site, which will be part of the indoor Of Land and Local exhibition at the Coach Barn — that exhibit will feature work from all Of Land and Local artists, and will open to the public on October 1.

Painting by Liz Nelson

Liz Nelson at Elmore State Park - Painting

Join Elizabeth Nelson as she paints nature scenes at Elmore either outdoors or in the Nature Center on Monday, August 24th and Thursday, August 27th from 9am-2pm. Her paintings have evolved over the course of the summer, sharing with visitors a glimpse into the artistic process.

Sculpture by Riki Moss

A few completed projects: 

Riki Moss at Grand Isle State Park - Sculpture

Riki Moss completed her project, which included making models for casting, with a great workshop at Grand Isle on August 17th. During her residency, Riki worked in her nearby studio and in the park to create evocative and imaginative "watchers" inspired by the lake's underwater creatures and Herman Melville's epic, Moby Dick.

Art Contributed to Rebecca Schwarz' "Land(e)scape"

Rebecca Schwarz at Button Bay - Sculpture

Rebecca Schwarz created a piece at Button Bay State Park called "Land(e)scape," a sculpture made from the "beautiful, ordinary, and strange plastics I have been saving for years," the artist explains. Workshop participants contributed their own art to the sculpture, which will be displayed at the Coach Barn at Shelburne Farms in the fall.



The Vermont State Parks would like to thank Burlington City Arts and everyone who has contributed to the artist residencies, and of course, the artists themselves - these installations bring a new element to the parks and we hope to continue the Of Land and Local program for years to come.

We recently received this thank-you note from Rebecca Schwarz regarding her stay at Button Bay State Park, and thought we might share it in the hopes that visitors realize what a great experience art can be for everyone involved in the process.

An Open Message of Thanks for the Of Land and Local Residency

From the Lake Room in the Nature Center at Button Bay

I can hear the lapping of the Lake, the creatures – birds, insects, small mammals and people. Exploring, I see the raw edges of the land meeting the lake. Small peaks in the lake look like the Adirondacks in the distance and the rocks - ancient fossilized sea floor.
The residency is a joy, an honor and a deeply nourishing experience.

Thank you.

Thank you for the coves, the ancient rocks embedded with fossils - layers of life over the eons and ages built up. An edge of record - bits of what was here before us. What a powerful place to create and contemplate our abundant material culture, and what we leave behind.

Making plastic ‘fossils’ inspired by the environment, geology, the lake, watershed, the woven roots in the forest, the rocks in slabs slightly peeled open, in the house that was built by the niece of an art dealer is a complete honor.

Button Bay State Park is a jewel – packed with beauties both obvious and hidden. In such a small space so much wildness and connection available to it. I am thrilled and sad that I have these last three days in residence here. I will continue to sing the praises of the park after, and through the piece for the Of Land and Local show. The inspiration found here through the landscape and interacting with the many visitors will continue beyond this piece.

Kyle Wagner, Christine Paluga and the staff at the park have been so helpful. Christine has been an exceptional interpreter connecting me and other visitors to the history and ecology of the place, helping me learn to feel at home in this place.

What a very special place! Many Thanks to all of the people and groups that made this possible!

Rebecca

We hope to see you out there!

by Carlie Timbie

Vermont State Parks