Vermont Artists to Watch 2020

The Vermont Art Guide in partnership with Vermont Arts Council presents "2020 Vermont Artists to Watch", a survey of contemporary Vermont art in exhibition and print. The survey appears as a special feature in Vermont Art Guide #11 and as an exhibition at the Vermont Arts Council, February 3rd to March 27th, 2020. Exhibition curator and Vermont Art Guide Editor Ric Kasini Kadour recruits Vermont art professionals and asks them to nominate artists who are making contemporary Vermont art that commands our attention.

 

HISTORY

One of the mandates of the Vermont Art Guide is to direct attention to those artists doing remarkable work. In 2017, Ric Kasini Kadour recruited art professionals and asked them to identify those artists who they thought were doing exceptional work, deserved to be spotlighted, and whose work spoke to themes relevant to Vermont. The result was two exhibitions in March-June 2018 that showed how Vermont artists were understanding their practice in the context of their community and in the context of broader contemporary art themes. The exhibitions were discussed in special features in Vermont Art Guide #6 and #7. The theme was continued with the "Artists to Watch 2019" exhibition in January-February 2019 that was featured in Vermont Art Guide #9.

 

"The deeper purpose of Vermont Artists to Watch goes beyond a magazine feature, an exhibition, and artist boosterism," said Kadour. "The goal is to reframe how artists are seen by society and promote engagement with visual art. The more we reinforce the notion that legitimate, quality work is being made in the state-art that speaks for and to us-the more likely the general public will be enthusiastic and seek out art. For art to work its magic in our communities, it needs to be seen and it needs to be engaged."

 

About the Curators

The curators who selected artists are: Sophie Bréchu-West, Director, 571 Projects; Anne Corso, Executive Director, Southern Vermont Arts Center; Heather Ferrell, Curator & Director of Exhibitions, BCA Center; Jamie Franklin, Curator of Collections, Bennington Museum; Kelly Holt, Curator, Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center; Ric Kasini Kadour, Editor, Vermont Art Guide; Jon Meyer, Poet and Owner, Brilliant Light Publishing, L3C; Mickey Myers, Executive Director, Bryan Memorial Gallery; Elizabeth Nelson, Artist; Sebastian Sweatman, Artist; and Katherine Taylor-McBroom, Curator of Exhibits & Collections, Sullivan Museum and History Center, Norwich University.

 

2020 Vermont Artists to Watch

J Blackwell (Bennington); Mark Collier (Montpelier); Trevor Corp (Wolcott); Brian Fekete (Kingston, New York); Patty Hudak (Underhill); Susan Larkin (Isle la Motte); Kathryn Lipke (Belvidere Center); Misoo (Shelburne); Steve Sharon (Burlington); and Kathy Stark (Craftsbury Common).

 

IN THE MAGAZINE

This Artist to Watch 2020 will be a special feature in Vermont Art Guide #11. Vermont Art Guide is a full color, printed magazine about contemporary art in Vermont. Our goal is to connect the entire state's art community by sharing information about exhibitions and events; present a picture of Vermont art and art in Vermont, to tell our story; and to build an audience for Vermont art inside the state and out. We hope you will join us and SUBSCRIBE TODAY.

 

IN EXHIBITION

Vermont Arts Council Spotlight Gallery

The Spotlight Gallery has rotating exhibits of artists throughout the year, with a focus on curated group shows. Sculpture is displayed in the front garden.

2020 Vermont Artists to Watch
February 3rd to March 27th, 2020
Artist & Curator Reception: February 13th, 2020, 5-7PM

EXHIBITION DETAILS

136 State Street, Montpelier 05633
(802) 828-5425 | www.vermontartscouncil.org

February 5, 2020