THE ARTS & ARTISANS

Since early in Woodstock's history, artists and artisans have come to the area to enjoy the beauty of the Ottauquechee River Valley. Ivan Albright, Paul Sample and Edward Hopper are a few of the American artists that have made the Woodstock Area their home. Enjoy a visit to the Woodstock Historical Society to see a variety of exhibitions of painting, costume and decorative arts from our village's history.

Today, artists and craftsmen work side by side. Artists and illustrators such as Margaret Lampe Kannenstein, WB Hoyt, Mike Biegel, Dan Gottsegen and Annette Compton work in local studios and show their work world-wide. Local galleries including the V Gallery, Woodstock Fine Art Prints & Antiquities , the Barnsider Gallery and Gallery on the Green continue to serve the art world with a diverse selection of local and nationally known artists.

Woodstock is currently becomining a mecca for fine hand-made furniture Shackleton Furniture in Bridgewater, Mark Lackley Furniture in Taftsville and Anderson Furniture in downtown Woodstock offer custom pieces in a variety of styles. These craftsmen welcome visitors to their shops throughout the year. Any season is a great time to watch skilled artisans at work.

Consider watching potters work at Miranda Thomas Pottery in Bridgewater or glass blowers at Simon Pearce in Quechee. Take home a piece of work by one of these creative individuals and bring a bit of the Woodstock Area into your home. Visiting this part of Vermont offers you inspiration to expand your own creativity as well.

Events such as the Benchmark Inn's 2006 Raffle for a hand-crafted garden bench and the Vermont Arts Council's Palette Project are other ways you can participate in the lives of Woodstock's artist community. Come back often to enjoy the ever-changing creativity that the Woodstock Area has to offer.

Pentangle Council on the Arts www.pentanglearts.org continually brings new events to our Town Hall Theater and promotes arts education in our local schools. The Norman Williams Public Library often offers concerts and readings through the Friends of the Library. The Woodstock Historical Society provides lectures and special events in their library. Through the generous underwriting of many Chamber members, you can count on a wide variety of cultural events in the Woodstock Area.