Frog Notes Spring 2013
Issue No. 1
THANK YOU! We asked for your help and you responded! Over the past weeks donations large and small came in enabling us to give the gallery a much needed upgrade. The following is recognition to those who have helped us out so far. There is still a lot to do and we will continue to push forward and make Frog Hollow the premier Vermont artisan showcase, worthy of the work displayed there.
Sponsor ADD
Howard Opera House Associates, LLC Ryan Brothers Electric Jason Towsley The Frog Hollow Board of Directors Brad Rabinowitz
Roy Feldman Carol MacDonald Susan Raber Bray Kevin Ruelle
Karen Redmond Larry Kruse Frank Gerdeman Liz Lawrence
Artisan Support From: Aaron Stein Victoria Blewer Sabra Field Gary Starr Rita Masso Robert Huntoon Woody Jackson Maxine Hugon John Brickels T Breeze Verdant Lochlin Smith Norton Latourelle Marie Davis Doug Clarner Edith House Dug Nap Alan Paschell Cathleen Branon-Keogh Maddalena Michetti Carol Norton Jon Zap John Geery Erik Rehman Richard Haver Wendy James Bob Gasperetti Eric Nelson Sarah Ashe Tom Foster Sarah Waite Lynn Rupe Deirdre Donnelly Kate Pond Joan Drew Louise Vojtisek Carol Crawford Janet Zug Mark Schwabe Don and Irene Lederer LaCroix Daryl Storrs
Cover Photo The image appearing on the cover of this issue is a creation by Champlain Valley Union High School student Addison Zinner The light fixture, made from recycled cafeteria milk bottles is part of our March 2013 CSWD Creative ReUse Showcase. Addision commented in his artist statement, “ It is amazing what you can create out of thrown away everyday objects.� 2013 saw the CSWD Creative ReUse show in its 17th year. It is an annual art contest in which Chittenden County high school students take materials that might normally be considered trash and recycle them to create works of art. The idea is to recognize the usefulness of items we might normally consign to the landfill and reuse them in a creative (and durable) way.
Elizabeth Mercer
CONTENTS 2 3 4
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From the President
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Gallery
10 12
What exhibition means for our mission.
Education
An update on our LEAP Frog Program
Meet the Artist
Remembering Elfriede Abbe
Step-by Step Turning a Spalted Maple Bowl with Tom Dunne
Our new look! A gallery facelift.
Exhibits
SPRING 2013
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14
Who's new at Frog Hollow
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Opportunities
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Our Staff
Partner Spotlight
We kick off 2013 with a members partnership with the Shelburne Craft School
Board Insights
It's Annual Meeting Time!
Juried Artisans
Upcoming events, artist opportunities, call to artists and more...
From The President The Gallery is an exciting place that I never tire of walking through - running my hand over the wood pieces ( I am still a woodworker at heart); being struck by the line and colors of the wide array of prints and paintings; and there is always a potter that it seems I am seeing for the first time. A community of colors and textures representing our community of artists. Frog Hollow's roots are in community. The community of artists has evolved and grown from originally being centered in Middlebury to now encompassing our entire state. The reputation of Frog Hollow as a gallery of Vermont artists, within Vermont and outside of Vermont, feels solid. And it does seem that our artists are very supportive of our efforts. The other community roots for Frog Hollow were in the support of the larger mission that the Middlebury community took to heart. The funding for the efforts to provide educational opportunities and to expand the public's awareness of the art of craft has never really come simply from the selling of the work: it has always required the generous support of the larger community. As we have recreated our organization over the past 5 years, we have been working to re-create that larger community commitment for our efforts. We have had some success that has allowed us to create new educational programs such as LEAP Frog and to create exhibits to more fully explore the work of a single artist or group of artists. As a board, this is where we are focusing our efforts at this time, to grow the community base that supports the mission of Frog Hollow. We are working to have this support be as diverse as the artists we represent, and to be fully rooted throughout the state. We feel that it is this larger community that will help us encourage new artists and find new supporters of these arts as Frog Hollow continues to evolve. Please join us at the annual meeting* to help us explore these questions and possibilities. – Brad Rabinowitz Frog Hollow Board President 2
*for more info on the annual meeting please see page 13.
Publisher Frog Hollow Craft Association Inc Contact Us 85 Church St. Burlington Vermont 05401 802.863.6458 info@froghollow.org Frog Notes is published quarterly and distributed digitally to Frog Hollow artists, artisans and members. No part of this publication may be used without written permission from the publisher and/or the contributing artists. Š2013. All rights reserved. Every effort is made to avoid errors, misspellings and oversights. If you notice an error, please accept our apologies and notify us of your finding. Thank you.
Gallery
Our New Look By Rob Hunter
It has been a long time coming, but the Church Street Frog Hollow finally has an upgraded look. Throughout the years, a tremendous amount of consideration had been given to the best way to improve our organization as a whole and how to strengthen the effectiveness of the gallery. Two years ago, the idea of a new gallery floor was discussed at our annual meeting, but the idea first came up over a decade ago. Like we said, it was a long time coming. With an initial quote of $15,000 for the floor work alone we realized this would be a slow process. An evaluation of the sales for the past few years determined that the end of February was our slowest time of year and would make for an optimal time to close down operations while minimizing the effect a blackout of sales might cause our artisan population. The big hurdle from this point was, of course, funding. As part of our standard retail lease all improvements to the interior of the storefront are the responsibility of the tenant. Our initial hope was that an increase in membership levels and sales in 2012 would be enough to offset our expenses in this area. Although successful in these areas we found the expense of upgrading our computer systems and increased advertising efforts quickly ate up these funds. The next approach was a fund raising campaign. We began with a conversation with our landlord. In light of our recent successes we found they were open to helping us out. With the expertise of our Board President Brad Rabinowitz of Brad Rabinowitz Architecture we identified the best materials and layout for the space and presented these ideas to them. Their response was a generous offer to help offset a majority of the expense. In a recent communication with Steve Schonberg our landlords main contact he wrote...On behalf of the Howard Opera House and its owners, I am pleased to report the extension of our lease with Frog Hollow. We are very excited to see their recent improvements to the store and are glad to be able to participate with them in it. Frog Hollow has created its own unique and valuable niche on Church Street. It is part
View from entrance to gallery of new floor and placement of front counter .
of what makes Church Street so attractive to locals and visitors alike. With this good fortune Frog Hollow board members pledged to absorb 50% of the remaining cost of the floor installation. Their kindness and dedication to this organization is deeply appreciated. Costs again began to rise as we looked at the demolition of certain areas of the gallery and the cost of relocating the register area. Through talks with Ryan Brothers Electrical we received discounted rates on the re-wiring that needed to be done. Community volunteers also stepped forward. Jason Towsley of Monkton VT offered his help in rerunning network phone lines, while Frog Hollow staff and artisans Aaron Stein, Irene Lederer LaCroix and Daryl Storrs volunteered their skills to help with the remodeling in a variety of ways. A big thank you to all of these folks for their help. Another big thank you goes to our supporting artisan population. When we saw this idea would become a reality, we called out to you and you responded! Please view the inside cover of this publication for a full listing of those who generously helped out. Without the aid of all of these folks, the gallery remodel would never have happened. 3
Exhibitions
A Fresh Approach to Our Mission
By Rob Hunter Photos by Buzz Kuhns Photography
Gallery visitor admires work at 2012 off-site Robert Compton Retrospective.
The past three years have seen great growth in our organization. Not only with the strengthening of sales in the gallery and the reinvention of our education programs, but also in the development of a vision for the exhibition component of our mission. Although the gallery ties Frog Hollow to Burlington, our statewide artisan membership and education programs allow us to shed the Burlington-centric aspect of our current incarnation and once again become a statewide arts organization. It is because of this effort of continued statewide exposure to Vermont fine crafts that we have worked to develop exhibitions that can travel the state. In looking over the three components of our mission (sales, education and exhibition), our non-profit board has made a clear distinction that Exhibition is the bridge between the Education and Sales elements of our organization. To this end the past two years have seen a number of efforts to develop an established program of exhibitions.
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Beginning in 2011, we partnered with HOPE Works for the Transcendence exhibit. Transcendence was an ambitious project using art as a means to explore the healing journey
of survivors of sexual violence. This was our first attempt at touring a show. We found the installation aspect of the exhibit fit nicely with the need to adapt to different spaces, but quickly realized that the requirement of a monthly recreation of the entire display added a tremendous burden upon the participating artists. This might be appropriate in some cases, but in order to streamline the touring process we pulled back a bit and investigated the idea of transforming empty spaces. As a result, 2012 saw two off-site exhibits in the Burlington area, FIVE and Robert Compton, a Forty Year Retrospective. FIVE provided us the opportunity to work with a number of artists in
several mediums, where the Robert Compton retrospective really focused on the evolution of a single artist. As with the Transcendence exhibit, both of the 2012 exhibits received universal appreciation. Attendance averaged roughly 100 visitors daily. Both exhibits featured artist lectures, all of which were filled to maximum capacity/standing room only. With each of these exhibits, we were able to recoup our costs for rent, utilities and general expenses from the sale of displayed items and community support, while meeting our mission of educating the public regarding the participating artists career long commitment to their craft as well as their craft process. Questions that arose from these experimental exhibitions have begun to settle in. Among them are does a month long set up period justify a month long show? Should the exhibits be open longer? Should their funding be dependent on sales, sponsorship, admission or be donation based? How best to staff these exhibits? Does our dedication to all fine craft being produced in the state of Vermont merit that these exhibits tour? Should the tours be limited to the borders of Vermont? We are still working to figure out these questions, even as we move forward with plans for a statewide tour in 2013 utilizing public libraries as venues for our next experiment in seeing how best and most effectively we can bridge the area within our organization from sales to education.
2013 Gallery Exhibit Schedule January: Capture My Vermont – Amateur photo exhibit featuring the work of local photographers. Sponsored by the Burlington Free Press February: Duet of Technique – Jewelry show featuring David Epstein and Kerin Rose. March: CSWD Creative Reuse Showcase – Annual group exhibit of Chittenden County High School students creations using reclaimed materials. Sponsored by CSWD April: LEAP Frog Exhibit – Featuring work created in a program to raise awareness regarding the Frog Hollow educational outreach. May: Vermont Woodworking School Exhibit – Final projects created by VWS students. June: A Lifetime of Vermont People – Peter Miller launches his new book at Frog Hollow, with a state tour to follow. July: Game Show – An exhibit of Mark Dabelstein’s wooden games and game inspired objects. August: Aquarium – Group Show – A water themed exhibit of work from the VT Glass Guild. September: Watercolor Paintings – An exhibit of Katharine Montstream’s work. October: Frogs – Group show – Artist reinterpretations of the Frog Hollow frog in any given medium November/December: Holiday Show – Group Show – An exhibit by Frog Hollow artisans exploring how different cultures celebrate the holiday season.
FIVE contributors from L to R Rob Hunter, Daryl Storrs, Faith Fellows, Marie Weaver,Sabra Field, Jeanne Amato and Paul Johnson
All listed exhibits take place in the gallery at 85 Church Street with openings scheduled from 5-8PM on the first Friday of each month.
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Education
LEAPing into Our New Education Program! By Jessica Hill This past August Frog Hollow rolled out LEAP Frog (Lessons Exploring Artists Process), a program with the goal of going into schools and providing training for parents to teach art lessons in the school day. The initial reception was very positive, however the logistics of finding a core group of parent volunteers proved to be challenging. A cooperative agreement between three schools, Ferrisburgh Community School, Williston Central School and Underhill ID was formed. A few months into the program the opportunity to offer an art class to an after school group sponsored by the Y presented itself. The site coordinator was looking for someone to be an art resource, and our first LEAP Frog after school program was created. Here a definitive community need was demonstrated by coordinators and directors of after-school programs for someone to step in with the knowledge, materials and resources available to offer art classes. A secondary approach to LEAP Frog was constituted, partnering with established organizations, we were able to cut out the middleman in finding those kids who needed the services we offered, with the benefit of an enthusiastic staff anxious to invite Frog Hollow into different sites. Partnering with these organizations helps facilitate achieving our mission of arts education while strengthening our commitment to provide accessibility to the arts for Vermont school-age children. LEAP Frog is currently focusing efforts on working with community organizations to provide expanded learning opportunities such as after-hours programs, vacation groups and camps. Identifying partnerships that accomplish the goal of bringing high quality art programing to students who have limited accessibility or opportunities to the fine arts. Several partnerships that have already shown 6
success: The Greater Burlington Y Live Yer’s, makes LEAP Frog accessible to over 22 sites throughout Chittenden and Franklin counties. Three different school groups and more than one hundred students are currently involved. With a greater emphasis being put on afterschool groups to provide curriculum that is connected to Vermont learning outcomes, LEAP Frog provides lessons that are both inspired by the work of local artists and connected to the Vermont State Standards. The curriculum has been intensive as a small group month-long club focusing on one media, or a mini-workshop that can stand alone and involve the whole after-school program. In addition LEAP Frog just completed a week-long workshop teaching with Operation Military Kids (OMK), a part of the University of Vermont Extension Program, that offers programs for the children of servicemen and women serving abroad. OMK expressed a need for programs that would provide students with understanding of Middle Eastern cultures through arts enrichment Frog Hollow provided clay,
Ferrisburgh students working together on clay project.
printmaking, henna and mosaics instruction, furnishing creativity and fun for a group of students from over eight different school districts and homeschoolers. LEAP Frog was not only able to accomplish these cultural experiences, but also team building for the group of eighteen students in the week long camp. The students, staff and parents were appreciative of the quality of the lessons, materials and programs. An invitation to the next OMK camp has already been extended to LEAP Frog.
After school printmaking in Jericho.
The evolution of the LEAP Frog program has been a surprising one. With more and more being asked of communities and schools, it seems like Frog Hollow is stepping in to fill a growing need. I am excited to see LEAP Frog continue to build on these successes and have future positive impacts in helping inform the next generation of artists and community leaders. Operation Military Kids
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Artist Profile
Remembering Elfriede Abbe By Rob Hunter The following is an adaptation taken from the Frog Hollow website blog. Elfriede Abbe was born February 6, 1919 in Washington D.C., daughter of Cleveland Abbe, Jr. and Frieda (Dauer) Abbe. Elfriede Abbe was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Ernst C. Abbe. Elfriede was a distinguished international sculptor, graphic artist and botanical illustrator. She received her B.F.A. degree from the College of Architecture at Cornell University in 1940. She studied sculpture under H.P. Camden and Brenda Putnam. From 1942 until her retirement in 1974, Elfriede was an illustrator at Cornell University.
Elfriede Abbe's wood and bronze sculptures are included in the permanent collections of the Bennington Museum, Carnegie Mellon University, McGill University in Montreal, the New York Botanical Garden, the Duke August Library in West Germany, and the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine. Her sculpture "The Hunter" was exhibited at the 1939 New York World's Fair. Graphics and wood etchings by Elfriede were selected by many renowned national and international collections including the Thomas J. Watson Library at Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New York Public Library, and the Royal Botanical Garden, Edinburgh, Scotland. Throughout her long and productive career, Elfriede Abbe was honored with many awards, including a Tiffany fellowship, a Roy A. Hunt Foundation grant, and Gold Medals from the National Arts Club, Pen and Brush, and several others.
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Sixth Day woodcut by Elfriede Abbe
What I found inside was a bustling, enthusiastic group of people moving and arranging the submitted work. In the midst of the crowd was a tall, good-looking young man, the originator of the whole idea of the new craft center, Allen Johnson. I was introduced to him and his charming wife, Linda, and felt delighted to be a part of the new adventure.
Autumn Clouds woodcut by Elfriede Abbe
In early February 2013, Frog Hollow was contacted by the family of artisan Elfriede Abbe to notify us of her passing on Monday, December 31, 2012. Miss Abbe was the only exhibiting artist to have continually shown with Frog Hollow since its founding in 1971. In 2010, Frog Hollow printed a book titled “Frog Hollow, the first 40 Years of the Nation's First State Craft Center” and asked Miss Abbe if she would contribute her recollections of those early years. She wrote...
There was an enthusiasm in the atmosphere that day at Frog Hollow that in some mysterious way has prevailed through the years in spite of ups and downs that are bound to occur in organizations involving the arts and crafts. The same forward-looking optimism remains at Frog Hollow at the present time and will go on into the future.
In 1971, when I first heard that a craft center was opening in Vermont, I hurried to check up on it. What I found in Middlebury was an odd, old wooden building, once a mill, on the edge of a roaring waterfall, the Otter Creek. The building with its odd rooms and levels proved appropriate for a variety of classes, a kiln, and an elegant exhibition gallery overlooking the waterfall. Cross Country Shadows woodcut by Elfriede Abbe
Elfriede moved to Manchester, Vermont, from Ithaca, New York to live full time in 1974. Elfriede was a long-time member of the Southern Vermont Arts Center, where she exhibited her sculptures, wood etchings and limited edition books. In 1997, she established the Dauer Memorial Foundation, in memory of her mother Frieda Dauer Abbe and her grandfather, Conrad Dauer, to finance memorial concerts at the Herzog August Bibliothek in Wolfenbüttel, Germany. Elfriede Abbe was an amazing woman, friend and colleague. Her quick wit, determination and dedication to her craft will be deeply missed. 9
Photo
Turning a Spalted Maple
Text and Photos
1: First Tom mounts half a log of maple onto the lathe.
2: He begins by hollowing the outside curve of the bowl.
6: Next he makes finer cuts to smooth and shape the outside.
3: Then he flips the log to work on the inside. Here you can see his preliminary cuts.
7: Sanding is important for achieving a smooth and consistent surface.
To see other artisan photo essays, videos and more please visit www.froghollow.org and click on the Artisan tab where you can see many of our artisan biographies and educational resources.
Essay
Bowl With Tom Dunne by Amira Pualwan
4: Tom works on the inside curve of the bowl.
8: Using a fine metal tool, Tom carves two decorative rings into the base.
5: Although he has removed a good bit of the inside, he will keep turning until it is the thickness and shape he desires.
9: The turned bowl is complete, and all that remains is oiling the wood.
Partner Spotlight
Frog Hollow and The Shelburne Crafts School New Membership Benefits!
Information provided by Sage Tucker-Ketchum
In 1938, a local woodworker invited a handful of youngsters from the Shelburne Village School to learn the fundamentals of woodworking and the joys of creating from wood, “articles both useful and pleasing to the eye.” The woodworker, Reverend J. Lynwood Smith, held the classes in the basement of the Shelburne’s Trinity Episcopal Church rectory with the belief that crafts, either as a vocation or an avocation, were an indispensable part of our culture. Reverend Smith stated, “education is a process of opening creative doors–and allowing those doors to open to everyone.” That passion and dedication became the foundation for what is now The Shelburne Craft School, one of the oldest craft organizations in Vermont. More than six decades later, those doors still remain open to everyone. Today, the Shelburne Craft School has studios for ceramics, woodworking, stained glass, jewelry and fine art. A core group of professional artists and artisans teach a variety of classes and workshops throughout the year. The School’s programs for children include drop-in, after-school and summer camp programs. The School hosts several events throughout the year and continues to revitalize programs, including upgrading the facility at 64 Harbor Road. The Harness Shop’s front space now showcases work made by the School’s students and teachers. “We are very excited to collaborate with Frog Hollow Vermont State Craft Center. For years, our organizations have been active in the crafts movement in Vermont and we are now able to appreciate each others strengths and offerings.” Said Shelburne Craft School Executive Director, Sage Tucker-Ketcham. “This member partnership will allow both organizations to promote each others offerings, as well as strengthen the Craft community. Instructors and students will be inspired by the talented exhibitors and artisans at Frog Hollow.” Frog Hollow members will have more affordable access to classes such as woodworking, metalsmithing, stained glass, pottery and more. “Collaboration has been an essential part of the Shelburne Craft School's values and we look forward to the benefits of this member partnership.” 12
Board of Directors
2013 Annual Meeting Meeting Agenda 12:00-12:45 Potluck Meal 12:45- 1:00 Welcome! Greetings by Brad Rabinowitz 1:00 – 1:30 Director's Report 1:30-1:45 Financial Report By treasurer Larry Kruse, Members vote of annual budget -10 Minute Break1:55-2:00 Election of Officers 2:00-2:15 Education Report By Ed Coordinator Jessica Hill 2:15-2:30 Overview of By-laws Revisions and members vote 2:30-2:40 Jury Process Update by Susan Raber Bray 2:40 – 2:50 Statewide brainstorming Get together overview by Liz Lawrence
Frog Hollow's Annual Meeting will take place April 7th from noon-3 at
In Manchester, VT. Please RSVP the Frog Hollow gallery at 802.863.6458
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Jury
Frog Hollow Welcomes 2012's Juried Artisans By Kristin Ballif
Since 1971, Frog Hollow has been committed to showcasing and selling the creative and wellcrafted work of Vermont artists and artisans. The year 2012 was a fruitful year for jurying in creative new talent and welcoming back former Frog Hollow artists into the gallery. We welcomed back longtime jewelry artist Bruce Baker, who makes beautiful silver, nature-themed jewelry and Ivy Long who creates amazing crocheted lace jewelry reminiscent of an earlier era. In woodworking, former Frog Hollow artisan David Hurwitz returned with his contemporary wood furniture and wall mirrors made with traditional Danish joinery methods. We also welcomed wood jewelry box maker Mike McGuire, whose chests are Shaker-inspired with clean and simple lines. Carol Norton is currently an artist member of Frog Hollow exhibiting her watercolor paintings has now juried in her equally beautiful oil paintings. Carol states that her “design sources often originate from places [she’s] been.” Her oil paintings have a very soft, luminous feel and look. She says she strives to “capture mood and atmosphere, rather than a literal interpretation.” A talented nature photographer, C.J. Hockett has joined Frog Hollow and shares his images of crows, owls and various other birds and creatures from his many travels. He is able to reveal a personality and character with his images that encourages the viewer to participate in a mental conversation with the photographed object.
C. J. Hockett
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A creative glass artist, Elizabeth Mercer, also joined our Frog Hollow community. She specializes in glass mosaics and says she is “drawn to the luminosity, vibrancy and texture of glass.” Her inspiration comes from nature and the colors and patterns she sees all around her. Her pieces are one of a kind, vibrant and fun.
Michael McGuire
Thanks to your continued support, we are fortunate to attract and accept such exceptional artists and artisans from throughout the state of Vermont. We hope you enjoy these new artists’ works and the works of the many other talented artists that are represented at Frog Hollow!
Ivy Long
Carol Norton
Bruce Baker David Hurwitz
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Opportunities and Events
A Listing of Upcoming Events Open to our Artisans and Members
April 30th Artists of Frog Hollow Film Screening: Over the past year Frog Hollow has partnered with RETN to create and develop a film catalog of Frog Hollow Artisan Short Documentary Films. Our most recent success is the result of working with film students from Burlington College. On April 30th, beginning at 6PM please join us in the gallery for the premier of five of our newest documentaries. Artists being featured include Mark Schwabe, Wendy James, AO Glass, Steve Bronstein and Norton Latorelle. Please join us for this free and open even! Call To Frog Hollow Artisans: Our October exhibit is a group show titled “Frogs” and will be comprised of Frog Hollow juried artisans reinterpretation of the Frog Hollow frog. If interested in submitting please contact Rob. Frog Hollow Bowl Drop Off Location: In support of The St. Johnsbury Area Local Food Alliance Frog Hollow has offered to be a drop off location for artisan bowls to be used in their fundraising event, the second annual “Empty Bowls St. Johnsbury”. Last year’s event was held at Catamount Arts in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, and brought in more than 80 attendees. We raised around $900 in donations for our organization. These funds were then used to help fund projects for the Hub Committee (including a matchmaking event to bring local food growers together with institutional buyers), the Community Farm committee (purchasing supplies for the farm), and the Education and Community Outreach Committee. For more information about St. Johnsbury Area Local Food Alliance or the Empty Bowls event, please visit the St. J. ALFA website at www.stjalfa.org. or contact Jill at jillbrowntown@yahoo.com 16
I have been in the Burlington gallery since 2005, weathered many a Frog Hollow storm, have always had a passion for art and non-profits and truly believe in Frog Hollow's mission. – Ruby Frog Hollow Gallery Floor Manager
Help Us Grow! For over 40 years Frog Hollow has been dedicated to supporting the education, development and display of Fine Vermont Craft and Art.
This year Frog Hollow will be traveling across the state of Vermont in an effort to bring the Culture created within our boarders to those who live here. Work like this needs your help. To make a donation in support of our efforts click here.
The purchase of one Frog Hollow membership can provide materials for an entire after school program.
Click here to learn more about the benefits of becoming a member of Frog Hollow
Frog Hollow | 85 Church Street | Burlington, VT | 802.863.6458
www.froghollow.org