Friday, July 15, 2011

PRESS RELEASE: July 30 is FREE Day for All at the Bennington Museum


Join in the fun on Saturday, July 30 at Bennington Museum when admission is waived and all activities are FREE! From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. come and explore the current exhibit Grandma Moses and the ‘Primitive’ Tradition while participating in old-fashioned activities designed for every member of the family. This FREE Community Day is open to anyone from any community.

Come out and enjoy all the exhibits currently on view at the museum. Stroll through the permanent exhibits including the Military Gallery, the Grandma Moses Gallery and Schoolhouse, the Flag Gallery which is home to one of the earliest Stars and Strips, the Wasp Gallery which houses the 1924 Wasp Touring Car, and more. At 2:00 p.m. join Jamie Franklin, Curator of Collections, as he gives a guided tour of the temporary exhibit on Grandma Moses and other primitive artists John Kane, Joseph Pickett, Morris Hirshfield, among others. The tour delves into the stories behind the paintings, and the lives of the painters.

The Bennington Museum Shop is offering discounts on the wonderful selection of items created by many Vermont craft artists that includes food products, toys for children, pictures, puzzles, jewelry, and more. Some items cannot be included. Pick up gifts from the shop, enjoy a cup of coffee in the cafĂ©, or a picnic in the Hadwen Pavilion. No matter what your age, get involved in the crafts and activities that will bring you back to the days of Grandma Moses. There will be butter churning, milking of “Bennita” the Bennington Museum cow, painting on the community mural, and old-fashioned games such as Jacob’s Ladder, jacks, and more.

The Bennington Museum is located at 75 Main Street (Route 9), Bennington in The Shires of Vermont. The museum is just a short ride from Manchester, Williamstown, and eastern New York. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the museum is closed on Wednesday. Visit the museum at www.benningtonmuseum.org or call 802-447-1571 for more information.

Image: Jamie Franklin, curator of collections, gives a Gallery Talk to visitors