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When visiting any area, the best way to learn about small town life is to check out the local museums and art galleries that feature the work of area artisans. From picturesque landscapes to surrealist sculpture, from jewelry crafted out of local stone and semi-precious gems to clothing and blankets woven from the fibers of sheep or alpaca that live just down the road, a local gallery provides a look into the creative microcosm of the area. In Bristol, visit the unique combination of interior and exterior art galleries at Art on Main and Artist’s Alley.
Art on Main is a cooperative community art center and gallery that features juried art selections ranging from watercolors, oils and acrylics to walking sticks, quilts, candles, sculpture and maple furniture. There are artists demonstrations regularly, showcasing an individual’s talent and skill with their medium.
Artist’s Alley is a new outdoor gallery featuring permanent murals by area artists and benches created by local schoolchildren. In the summertime, it provides an outdoor space for not only visual art but also musicians and live demonstrations by craftspeople. It is a welcoming place for visitors and locals alike to go and enjoy the art that is so abundantly available in this small Vermont town.
Frog Hollow Vermont State Craft Center, located in a historic building that was once a mill, looks out over the Otter Creek Falls in Middlebury. It also features art from statewide artists, from pewter and glassware to high-end oil paintings and furniture. Simply browsing through the products gives any visitors an at-a-glance knowledge of the excess of talent and resources available to artists all over Vermont.
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