Excursions

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Vermont invites exploration — on foot, pedaling, driving, or riding. From the far reaches of the Champlain Islands to the southern border regions, there is always something new to discover. There is always art to discover.

Take time to explore. Find an event in the Vermont Arts Calendar; linger on the Green in Danville; look for art along Vermont’s Scenic Byways; take the Barre Art Stroll; visit the State Craft Centers; investigate granite, marble, and slate in the Green Mountain State along the Vermont Stone Trail; dig into Granite from the He(art) of Vermont. In Vermont, you can find Excursions for Every Season.

In Burlington, visit Burlington City Arts, whose exhibition space and learning studio are key to Burlington’s lively and accessible arts scene. Also discover the magic of Burlington’s South End Arts District. SEABA (the South End Arts and Business Association) was founded in 1986 as the Greater Pine Street Business Association by a group of artists and business owners who shared the entrepreneurial sprit that characterizes the South End of today. Each fall SEABA hosts Arts Hop, one of Vermont’s most beloved and renowned arts events.

In the heart of Waitsfield’s historic village is Artisans’ Gallery, which represents over 150 Vermont crafters and is open Thursday through Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. In nearby Warren, Art in the Village’s gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., next door to the famous Warren Store.

In Rutland, you can see fine art displayed in windowfronts throughout town thanks to the Rutland Art Ramble. A collaboration between area arts organizations and local businesses, the Ramble features painting, photography, sculpture, and more, with new exhibits added throughout the year. An interactive map of exhibits is available on the Ramble’s website.

Along Route 4, you will find Quechee, home of the famous Quechee Gorge, and picturesque Woodstock. On Quechee’s Main Street is Glenn Suokko Gallery, a contemporary art space in a historic building that was once the village general store and post office. Right across from Glenn Suokko Gallery is the world-famous Simon Pearce glassworks and restaurant. The turbine-powered glassblowing studio is the place to watch Pearce-trained artisans create functional works of art, and their award-winning, farm-to-table restaurant overlooks the river. Woodstock is home to a variety of galleries including Gallery On The Green, The Woodstock Gallery, Collective – The Art of Craft, and more.

In Southern Vermont, overlooking the Connecticut River, the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) shows 15-20 contemporary art exhibits a year in six galleries, rotating exhibits every three to four months. In addition to presenting contemporary art, BMAC holds cultural and educational events throughout the year including artist talks, workshops, performances, film screenings, studio tours, and eclectic family events such as an annual LEGO contest and a domino-toppling event.

On a sprawling 100-acre campus at the foot of the Taconic Mountains in Manchester is the Southern Vermont Art Center (SVAC). Along with rotating exhibits of contemporary and community art, SVAC offers workshops, lessons, and camps for children and adults. After exploring SVAC’s galleries and sculpture-studded grounds, sit down at their curATE café for artfully arranged small plates, salads, artisanal sandwiches and flatbreads, dinner options and a full bar.

For more ideas, check out Vermont’s Creative Zones and the Arts Calendar.