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Lynn Barrett

Email: vermontartsliving@gmail.com

Phone: (802) 258-3992

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For Immediate Release

Three Major Vermont Arts Organizations Join Forces to Celebrate

“Thanksgiving Weekend of Arts” in Putney, VT

PUTNEY, VT—Thanksgiving weekend, November 25, 26 and 27, promises to be a big weekend for Putney, Vermont. The Putney Craft Tour, Next Stage Arts Project and Sandglass Theatre have joined forces to promote “Thanksgiving Weekend of Arts”.

Ken Pick, one of the founders of the Putney Craft Tour says: “This will be a great cultural treat for visitors and locals alike. Not only will the craft tour be taking place during the day, but Next Stage Arts will offer an art exhibition— Elemental Abstractions Works on Paper by Joe Norris opening late afternoon on Saturday and Sandglass Theater will present, “A Rafter of Crankies”, with performances scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights.

The collaboration will provide an opportunity to create a bigger and better weekend to draw more people and bring a positive impact on area inns and restaurants and on our respective organizations,” says Pick. “We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors and arts lovers alike. And, with the Putney Craft tour beginning on Friday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the weekend offers perfect timing for visitors to enjoy all of the offerings.”

This year’s 44th annual Putney Craft Tour features 21 of some of Vermont’s most prominent makers— glass blowers, potters, jewelers, weavers, woodworkers, painters and even artisan cheese, and wine makers and new this year -- an aromatherapist. Part of the fun for visitors is meandering through the beautiful Vermont countryside, following the map to find these prominent craftspeople and view the works where they are conceived and created. Many artisans do demos. Visitors may start at Putney Mountain Winery, 8 Bellows Falls Rd. for a preview exhibition of the artisans’ works and to pick up maps and brochures.

Sandglass Theater’s performances will take place Friday, November 25 at 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, November 26 at 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the big hall of Green Mountain Orchard.

Next Stage Arts opening reception is scheduled for Saturday, November 26 from 4-6 p.m. The three organizations will promote the weekend through social media, publicity and digital marketing.

More info: www.putneycrafts.com, facebook.com/Putney-Craft-Tour; www.sandglasstheater.org; www.nextstagearts.org

 

Thanksgiving Weekend of Arts

Calendar Listing

44th Putney Craft Tour–Oldest Continuing Craft Tour in the Country

Invites You to Visit During the Holiday Gift-Buying Season

PUTNEY, VT: Putney, VT celebrates Thanksgiving with a “Weekend of Arts” on Nov 25, 26, & 27 (10-5) highlighted by the Putney Craft Tour and late day and evening events at Sandglass Theater and Next Stage Arts. Meet some of Vermont’s most prominent makers—glass blowers, potters, jewelers, weavers, woodworkers, painters and even artisan cheese, wine makers and an aromatherapist. Find that one-of-a-kind gift and buy direct from the artisan who made it. Part of the fun is meandering through the beautiful Vermont countryside, following the map to find these prominent craftspeople and view the works where they are conceived and created. Many artisans do demos. Visitors may start at Putney Mountain Winery, 8 Bellows Falls Rd. for a preview exhibition of the artisans’ works and to pick up maps and brochures. After touring during the day, plan to attend a performance at Sandglass Theater, and/or gallery opening at Next Stage Arts. Details: www.putneycrafts.com, facebook.com/Putney-Craft-Tour; www.sandglasstheater.org; www.nextstagearts.org

 

For Immediate Release

Thanksgiving on Putney’s Artisan Trail

No Worry about Delayed Gifts for the Holidays, 

Putney Craft Tour studios are stocked up with fine artisan craft and open for business

Putney Craft Tour Celebrates 43rd Anniversary

Named Top Ten Vermont Winter Event by Vermont Chamber of Commerce

Thanksgiving Weekend, November 26, 27, 28 (10-5p)

PUTNEY, VT— The 43rd Annual Putney Craft Tour, the oldest continuing craft tour in the country, timed to coincide with Thanksgiving and holiday shopping, did not spring out of a vacuum, but from the happy confluence of a number of trends including the back-to-the-land movement and the rise of American craft. No doubt, Vermont’s agrarian heritage created a culture of craft and an appreciation of the hand-made, which continues to this day.

One of the founders is potter Ken Pick who arrived in Putney in 1969 after receiving an MAT from Antioch-Putney Graduate School. But pottery was never far away from his heart, and in about 1973, he began to earn his living from his craft. 

“This year there are 19 artists on the tour. It’s never been more than 28. There was a conceptual agreement that that size was good. We wanted to bring in new young people who arrived in the area,” Pick says. He adds that the date of the Thanksgiving weekend was chosen carefully—it’s the start of the gift-buying season. 

“This year we hope to welcome many new Vermonters who’ve moved here during COVID from outside Vermont.”

Connections are what it’s all about, both for the artists and the people who visit their studios. Visitors and locals move through the studios over the course of three days and engage with the artists, the real draw of such tours, as well as the distinctive, original pieces for sale. People say it’s more interesting and exciting to see something in a studio where it was created and to speak to the artist who made it. 

Silver jeweler Jeanne Bennett, who has been on the tour for over 16 years, appreciates the feedback she gets. “It’s nice to get the work out in public. I’m up in the woods and I love hearing everyone’s feedback.” In addition to first-timers, Bennett, like most of the artists, has repeat customers that come back “to see what’s new and add to their collection.” 

More than anything the tour is great entertainment. Driving the back roads and finding the studios is an adventure in itself although the studios are well marked and maps provide clear directions. 

Erica Noyes from Boston says, “I have been coming on the tour since I was in high school. (I graduated in 1994.) I grew up in Maine, but have family in Vermont, so that is how I started attending. I went to Bennington College, so it was easy for me to do the tour those years. I live in Boston now, but try to make it up every year with my husband. I tell everyone that it is the best event of the year!”

Putney also reflects the power of the creative economy. “It’s not just the crafts studios who benefit, but area B&Bs, stores, restaurants, and retailers.” Pick says. “Local shop owners say it’s their biggest weekend because of the tour.” In fact, for the last four years, we’ve been partnering with other cultural entities in Putney including Sandglass Theatre and Next Stage Arts to put on special performances during the tour. This year Putney’s Next Stage will present "Zoo Story", Edward Albee's one-act masterpiece that first catapulted him onto the world drama scene, November 26th and 27th, at 7:30 PM. Starring John Hadden and David Stern, and directed by Sandy Klein, the show portrays an isolated young man desperate to interact with other people (Nextstagearts.org). Sandglass Theater is also cooking up and event for the weekend. Please check their website sandglasstheater.org closer to Thanksgiving for details.

The tour includes wine and cheese tastings as well as demos. Visitors may start at Putney Winery & Spirits for info, maps, and a preview exhibition of the artisans’ works. 

Lead sponsors include Hidden Springs Maple, Putney Diner and the Putney Food Co-op. For a complete list and background of artisans on the tour including images of their work, and any updates regarding COVID as it relates to the studios, please go to: putneycrafts.com

 

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