Your support is needed and appreciated!
Photo courtesy of Artist, Peter Huntoon
Seasons greetings from the Chaffee Art Center, Your Center for Creativity!
As the last few days of 2025 are upon us (and today being my son’s 28th birthday!), it makes me pause with thanks and gratitude … and reflect about what the year at the Chaffee has brought.
First and foremost, I am grateful for my family who gives me unconditional love all year. And how lucky to also have the Chaffee community of artists, friends, and supporters that continue to fill me with inspiration and creativity. Plus, what compares to the beauty of our 1890s mansion, and each time when the key turns in the lock of the ornate wooden Mansion door, I look forward to what will greet me … beauty, relaxing vibes, and maybe George :), as well as what the day will bring.
It is the best feeling to be a part of creating programs and events that bring people together with the arts. The Chaffee Art Center, a community art center, is all about the arts and connection. Connecting others to art in a way that allows them to explore and experience what it means to them. The connection of Rutland’s history to the people in our community and others that visit. Showcasing the beauty of the mansion and the works of art within during special events and rentals that connect people with their loved ones, friends, family, and community. We all know the importance of the arts. The arts are healing, and what we need now more than ever, as they are a comfort and positive experience for so many! It truly is a wonderful thing to be a part of making a difference in the lives of people of all ages. My heART is full!
This year at the Chaffee:
— 7th year as Executive Director … how time flies!
— Many camps, classes, workshops: Held a record number (14) of Summer Youth Camps; NEW April Vacation Camp;
Held our usual (10+) classes each month…Adult: Pour painting, sip ‘n’ dip, figure drawing, book group, Mandala, Watercolor; Youth: Pour Painting, Mandala, Weekly Sketching; Drop n paint all ages. Plus, Daytime FREE (16) classes running weekly: Bone builders Wednesdays and Fridays, Uke Group Thursdays, Artery Group Friday, Connections Group Friday.
— Private classes for businesses, artists, and groups. Free Bigfoot Painting Class as part of Winterfest. Offered numerous Artist Talks: Jason Bemis on color and nature; Peter Huntoon, Robert Black, History of Railroad, etc. Plus, special workshops for artists.
— 9 Exhibits that showcased work by Chaffee Artist Members, including in our Gallery Shoppe: FACES in Harmony & Annual Photo Contest; Annual Student Exhibit “An Artful Adventure” with 17 schools and homeschoolers; The Vermont Palette: Vermont Pastel Society Members’ Exhibition; Rutland High School Student AP Art Show; Stafford Technical Center Digital Arts Show; Threads — Featuring Fiber & Fabrics; Exhibit featuring Edward Holland, Peter Wallis & Sage Tucker-Ketcham; Reimagined II: The Art of Recycling; Annual Holiday Member Exhibit & Shoppe; and many other highlights such as Sampler Wall Exhibit from May to October. New Student Art Wall space to showcase art created by young artists in our classes and schools.
— 64th Annual Art in the Park Summer & Fall Festivals, major fundraisers for the Chaffee: Thanks to all the exhibitors, food vendors, sponsors, supporters, volunteers, and attendees who make our festivals a success each year! Hard to believe this year marked my 23rd year coordinating these great art and craft festivals and Vermont’s longest continuing arts tradition with the October show being the 46th time.
— Annual Events: Spring Tea & Sweet Treats with Market & Makerie, May Open House, July Garden Party, November Holiday Gift Show, Cabaret & Silent Art Auction, NEW Mystery Theater Art Heist, Gingerbread Contest.
— Fundraising and grant writing continues. We have been allocated $85,000 specifically for repair/restoration of our 3 chimneys that total $106,900 for work that needs to be done by historical preservation standards with some that require matching. We also were awarded $20,800 that needs to be matched for putting heat pumps in which will help with both heat and adding air conditioning. Received funding that allowed us to offer free programs and have again for this year, plus 2 grants to help with operating support at $7,500.
— Upkeep on the mansion and property continues with painting inside and outside … the porch floor got a new look thanks to Youthwork volunteers. More will be happening this coming year.
— Many Events/Rentals including: Baby Showers, Celebration of Life, Birthday Parties. Candidates event, Green Mountain Rug Hooking Guild Hook-in, Otter Creek Music Festival Concert.
— Community collaborations including: RSVP/Bone Builders, Come Alive Outside, VT Actors Repertory Theatre, City of Rutland, Downtown Rutland Partnership, Rutland Rec & Parks Dept., RHS Student Art Sale (celebrating Black History), Wonderfeet Kids Museum, Youthworks, Stafford Technical Center, Rutland Garden Club, and new gallery space at Rutland Regional Medical Center. BenchART Project benches have new homes in Main Street Park, on Center Street & Wales Street and across from City Hall.
— Many thanks to the Rutland Garden Club who has maintained the 4 beautiful gardens closest to Route 7 for many years, and decorated the front porch and more for the holidays. Thanks also to Artist Board Member, Michelle Hartline, who is out working each week in the other dozen gardens on the property.
Thank you to the many people who continue to inspire and care about the arts, the people and communities throughout Vermont and beyond, who support us with donations, volunteering and more. Special thanks to those that come in weekly to help: Nick Woodward, Christine Townsend, Michelle Hartline, Evie Towsley, and to the Chaffee Board of Directors (Kate Tibbs, Roy Thomas, Jen Rondinone, Michelle Hartline, Susan Wacker-Donle, Danielle Brown)! Our thoughts are filled with thankfulness for the many friends of the Chaffee that are no longer with us for their kindness and support. Their importance to our history and growth are remembered with grateful hearts.
Looking toward 2026, let’s all continue to strive to make a difference in our communities, cultivating connection and creativity! So excited to see what more we can accomplish with your help!
Please consider making a tax-deductible charitable donation … it really does makes a difference in helping to allow us to continue to offer meaningful exhibits, educational programing, a place for talented artists and artisans to showcase their work, and to be Your Center for Creativity!
Wishing you and yours a year full of love, family, and friends,
Sherri Birkheimer Rooker, Executive Director
A Look at 2026:
Exhibits
Jan. 23–Feb. 27
Through Different Eyes: Perspectives on Art
& Annual Photo Contest
Opening Jan. 23 (5–7pm)
This exhibit features multiple interconnected installations with the same theme:
Chaffee Artist Members — work will be on display with their “covered” perspective next to each piece. After viewers look at the artwork, they can uncover and read what the artist’s perspective is.
Over 8 Over 80 — works will show the perspective from this generation of artist members.
Finding Hope Within – features art that has emerged through the carceral system in Vermont. The work featured in this exhibition includes drawings, mixed media, poetry and narrative writing by incarcerated artists at Vermont correctional facilities.
Annual Photo Contest – This year’s contest has a different twist in that cards will be made from the winning photos that feature the Chaffee Art Center, the Mansion such as door knobs, fireplaces, distinctive features. Deadline to submit photos is Jan. 16.
Mar. 7–Apr. 3
Annual Student Exhibit “Visions of heART”
Opening Saturday, Mar. 7, 12–2pm
Apr. 10–May 22
A Tiny Point of View — featuring Miniatures, Dollhouses, Fairy Houses & Tiny Art in Many Forms
Opening Apr. 10 (5–7pm)
May 27
Stafford Digital Arts Show, 6–8pm
June 5–July 17
Art in Motion
Opening June 5 (5–7pm)
Part of the Exhibit will feature the works of one-hundred-sixty 7th and 8th grade students from Mr. VanDerKern’s Design Lab at Fair Haven Union Middle School that will engage in a hands-on stone carving unit supported by a grant from the Vermont Superintendents Association and the Vermont Handcrafters Association, with support from the West Rutland Carving Studio. Beginning with hand carving local talc and then using a Glowforge laser to engrave slate tiles, students will create original works rooted in the Slate Valley’s slate heritage. Stone is provided by Vermont Marble, Granite, Slate & Soapstone.
July 24–Sept. 4
Reimagined III: The Art of Recycling
Opening July 24 (5–7pm)
Sept 11–Oct 30
Vermont Watercolor Society
Opening Sept. 11 (5–7pm)
Nov. 20–Jan 8.
Holiday Member Exhibit & Shoppe
Opening Nov. 20 (5–7pm)
Events to date:
Jan. 17
Annual Cabaret & Silent Art Auction
Feb. 20
Free BigFoot Painting Class as part of Winterfest
May 2
Spring Tea with Sweet Treats & Boutique
July 11
Annual Garden Party
Aug. 8 & 9
Art in the Park Summer Festival
Oct. 10 & 11
Art in the Park Fall Foliage Festival
Nov. 6 & 7
Annual Gift Show