Thursday, May 20, 2010

PRESS RELEASE: The Art of Action, Artists' Choice Tour at the Gryphon Building in Rutland


Rutland welcomes the return of The Art of Action: Shaping Vermont's Future Through Art on May 20, 2010 in the Gryphon Building on West Street. The space is donated by MPF Real Estate. The Downtown Rutland Partnership and the Chaffee Art Center will host a reception on Thursday, May 27 from 6 until 8:00 pm. It is free and open to the public.

The exhibition began its statewide tour on Sept. 1, 2009 in Manchester. It is a collaboration between the Vermont Arts Council and philanthropist Lyman Orton and Janice Izzi. Ten visual artists were commissioned to create suites of artwork that address issues identified by Vermonters as essential to our state's future. Informed by research conducted by the Council on the Future of Vermont, the artwork created for the Art of Action is designed to inspire Vermonters to achieve their vision for our state's social, cultural and political landscape. The Art of Action artists are Susan Abbott, Gail Boyajian, David Brewster, Annemie Curlin, Phillip Godenschwager, Curtis Hale, Valerie Hird, Kathleen Kolb, Janet McKenzie and John M. Miller.

The Chaffee Art Center hosted the Curator's Choice portion of the collection in October and November 2010. The current exhibit, known as the Artists' Choice, features 50 pieces that are different from last fall's exhibit and offers visitors further insights into Vermont's future.

The Art of Action will be available in Rutland through the Memorial Day weekend. Call the Downtown Rutland Partnership, (802) 773-9380 for exhibit hours.

Image: Phillip Godenschwager, The Disneyfication of Vermont, Acrylic on thermoformed kydex over urethane foam, 82"H x 42"W x 2"D, 2009