Threads … featuring fiber & fabric
Rutland, VT: The Chaffee Art Center, Your Center for Creativity, invites the community to the Opening Reception of our new Exhibit “THREADS … featuring Fiber & Fabric” on Friday, June 6, 5–7pm. Stop by this free event and enjoy a glass of wine and nibbles while you explore our 6 galleries and unique nooks and crannies filled with art!
The Exhibit title is the theme for the first floor galleries with work highlighting over 30 pieces from community fabric artists with items such as handmade quilts, hooked rugs and more! Chaffee artist members’ work will be on display and for sale throughout the rest of the mansion and on the second floor, as well as in the Gallery Shoppe that is filled with handmade treasures and gift ideas for any occasion. Be sure to take time to explore the 1890’s architecture
and be transported back in time. As a special feature, our middle gallery will showcase Vermont Samplers during the 2025 Vermont Sampler Driving Tour.
The VT Sampler Initiative, a 501-c-3 entity, in cooperation with the national Sampler Archive has been documenting Vermont 19th century schoolgirl samplers since November 2022. The story of our Revolutionary War generation having fought the war for our independence, and then having relocated to Vermont to live their lives, is one that can be illustrated by studying the lives of their descendants. The values, artistry and degrees of hardship and success of these families are often conveyed by the girls who produced these samplers. They are almost always the progeny — daughters and granddaughters — of the Revolutionary War generation — and their stories are many and unique!
To date, close to 800 such samplers have been located and documented using volunteer documenters and professional photography. The VT Sampler Initiative statewide driving tour offers a view collections of these post-Revolutionary War samplers, in cooperation with the Nationwide celebration of the Semi-quincentennnial celebration of the American Revolution. Beginning at a sampler exhibit at the Bennington Museum in 2025, 20 statewide pre-identified sites, such as museums, art galleries, libraries and historical societies will be added to this core exhibit, inviting Vermont visitors to the State to explore additional communities in Vermont, to view these examples of schoolgirl needlework until October. See the Vermont 250th website for more details https://anniversary250.vermont.gov/
Plan to visit the Chaffee during open hours to experience the beauty of the 1890’s Queen Anne Victorian Mansion and the wonderful works of art throughout, plus our Gallery Shoppe that is filled with handmade treasures and gift ideas for any occasion! While here, picture your next event, bridal shower, wedding, meeting or retreat being held in our beautiful mansion, fondly known by its first owners as Sunny Gables. Check out our website www.chaffeeartcenter.org and the Chaffee Art Center Facebook page for updates and classes/camps, call 802.775.0356 or stop in to the Chaffee Art Center at 16 South Main Street in Rutland, VT. Gallery & Shoppe Hours: Wednesday-Friday 10-5; Saturday 10-3; Extended hours for classes/events.