A rash of art thefts occurred in central west
Vermont between February 29 and March 20th. The first hit was the Ilsley
Library, where a piece by Kerry Furlani was stolen from her
Words to
Stone exhibit in the library lobby. These heavy stone sculptures were
sprinkled throughout the library rooms, as if to be found like Easter
eggs.
Attachment, the piece that was stolen, was the only piece in the
show that did not incorporate words, a 17” x12” bas relief of a mother
and child. It had been on a shelf behind the magazine rack in the
library, before it went missing. A reward for information leading to the
recovery of the piece was posted in the
Addison Independent by David Clark, the library’s director. The piece is valued at $1,200
On March 17 two paintings disappeared from the Chaffee Art Center, in Rutland, as reported by the Rutland Herald.
On March 23 a sculpture was also discovered missing. The sculpture and
the paintings were returned with a note of apology from the person who
stole the artwork on March 28th. The third venue victimized was Artisans
Gallery in Waitsfield. More than a few pieces were stolen there between
March 12 and 15. These have not been returned. All this was reported in
the Rutland Herald as well.
That’s enough to call a “rash of art thefts” but
there has been one more recently. On March 20 two small paintings, a
landscape and a still life valued at a combined total of $650 were
stolen from the Edgewater Gallery on Mill Street in Middlebury.
These events have motivated members of the
Middlebury community and the arts community to come forward in support
of our artists and our public spaces. To this end a benefit for Kerry
Furlani is scheduled for Friday, June 8, from 5-7 p.m. at the Ilsley
Library to coincide with the Middlebury Art Walk. The art walk happens
every second Friday of the month, May 11 - October 12 . The public is
invited to not only come out and enjoy what local artists and our
downtown has to offer during the seasons art walks but to also come out
in support of Kerry Furlani, and all the people and places that make our
community rich, on June 8 at the library.
There will be a silent auction of featuring
donated items by local businesses and artists. The money raised will go
to Kerry Furlani to help pay for the stolen piece. Any extra funds will
go to the library and to create an organization to support artists and
community rebuilding.
Something is wrong when trust that
things won’t be stolen in the library, or that art won’t be stolen off a
gallery wall is unrealistic. This fundraising benefit is an effort by
people who care to make things better. There will be information
available about how to help prevent such thefts from happening as well.
To show our thanks to participants who come to
this benefit and make it a success we are offering a free raffle ticket
to the first thirty bidders.
For artists who donate artwork half of the money
that your item brings in is returned to you. If you are an artist or a
business and would like to donate Please contact the benefit organizer Alice
Eckles at aeckles@hotmail.com or call 802-310-9364. Remember: June 8,
5-7 pm, at the Ilsley
Library, light refreshments will be served.
Image: Kerry O. Furlani, Butterfly You Make Me Cry, slate-quartzite, Poultney, VT, 11 3/4 x 2 1/2"
The S.P.A.C.E. and Backspace Galleries
