Full Fall Circle of Varied Art

The Vermont Crafts Council Fall Open Studio is upon us. Many of our spring gang is back to share their work in their homes and studios the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, October 5 and 6. We are ready for visitors at 10 a.m. To make the circle in either direction works. One could start at #17 and end at #18 with #11, #12 an #13 in between. Who are these numbers?

Let's start with #18. Martha Nichols at Howard Hill Road Studio, 1152 Howard Hill Road in Andover is opening her studio for the first time this weekend. She presents unique, colorful, dynamic and sometimes meditative reflections on the Vermont landscape. The paintings are all oil on canvas and vary in size. There will be drawings to view and prints of some paintings to purchase. Martha is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and Bard College (MFA). Her work is in permanent collections of the State Museum of Pennsylvania, several Philadelphia area colleges, the Alumni Association of PAFA, and numerous private collections. She is currently teaches at Community College of Vermont.

Next back track to East Hill Road atop Andover to the barn studio of Robert Sydorowich, #13. For three decades he has been painting the Vermont countryside trying to capture the simple small town life in and around Andover. An enthusiastic plein aire painter and an admirer of the Impressionist movement his goal is to apply paint with lively brushwork and glowing colors reminiscent of that movement, capturing the truth of the moment.

Just over the line toward Ludlow from Sydorowich's place, Rich DeTrano will be demonstrating and offering his unique woodturnings and hollow vessels at his studio, #12. Janie Marie Dumas, owner of Little Cricket Photography, located at 22 Smith St. in Ludlow, #11, is a must-visit photographer. Her offerings are bold, dramatic, detailed macro photographs. Then go down Route 103 to the Stone Village home and gallery of Bonnie Watters, cloth doll artist at #17. Here you'll see dozens of personality-filled dolls to meet and touch, along with craft activities for children and refreshments.

Whichever direction you decide, come circle around us. We offer a simple map on request and suggest you watch for the iconic yellow signage. On your way you will see the beautiful and colorful Vermont countryside that inspires all of us.