Farm Art

Through June, 2013

For the month of June 2013, Strolling of the Heifers Farm Art exhibits will be on view at four different Brattleboro locations.

1. Farm Art at the Works Bakery Café, Main Street: “Plowing Old Ground: Vermont’s Organic Farming Pioneers” — photographs by John Nopper, text by Susan Harlow

Bruce Kaufmann, holding one of his organic strawberries — photograph by John Nopper

The stories told in the photos and text in this show are of Vermont’s early organic farmers, who built an industry and a culture from scratch. Many of these farmers, now in their sixties, are asking themselves ‘What will happen to my farm?’ They are getting ready to retire, but few of their children want to farm the land themselves. Theirs are important stories that we don’t want to lose. Vermont’s Organic Farming Pioneers tells their stories through photographs and text.

Six working farms and their farmers are highlighted including Jack and Anne Lazor of Butterworks Farm in Westfield; Paul Harlow of Harlow Farm, Westminster; Jake and Liz Guest of Killdeer Farm, Norwich; Joey Klein of Littlewood Farm in Plainfield; Bruce Kaufman from Riverside Farm, Hardwick; and Vermont’s first officially certified organic farmer Howard Prussack of High Meadows Farm in Putney. Images and comments by writer and organic farming advocate, Samuel Kaymen will also be included.

Jack and Anne Lazor — photograph by John Nopper

John Nopper came to Vermont as a teacher, worked for many years in the wood industry, and then built and managed a large-scale sheep operation on his farm in Putney, Vermont. Currently he operates a commercial hay business, and now has the time to develop his interest in photography.

Susan J. Harlow is a long-time agricultural writer, magazine editor, and author of a recent history on the University of Vermont Extension System. She works at Antioch University New England and lives in Westminster, Vermont, on Harlow Farm, where she grew up. Paul Harlow is her brother.

2. Farm Art at Vermont Artisan Designs, Main Street

“Plein air” painting means painting out in the open — in this case, on the farm. A juried exhibit organized by local artist Deborah Lazar assembles works painted at Brattleboro-area farms during the months of April and May.

Artists include Deborah Lazar, Caryn King, Nancy Calicchio Mary Iselin, Marjorie Sayer, Karen Becker, Heidi Lorenze, Linn Bower and Georgie. They painted at Lilac Ridge Farm and the Robb Family Farm, West Brattleboro, and the Franklin Farm in Guilford.

Lilac Ridge Farm — oil painting by Debbie Lazar

Princess — oil painting by Caryn King

3. Farm Art at The Marina Restaurant, off Putney Road

For the month of June The Marina restaurant is hosting an exhibit by local artists as part of Strolling of the Hiefer celebration. Artists Georgie, Janet Picard, Deborah Lazar, and Caryn King are exhibiting.

“Farm Art” is art work inspired by and celebrating land, farmers, farm animals, local wildlife, and the natural world around Southern Vermont can be seen. All art work is for sale with a portion of the proceeds going to Strolling of the Heifers. Please contact Caryn King for questions about the art and to purchase paintings, at 802-380-7006

4. Farm Art at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital

The halls of Brattleboro Memorial Hospital have been graced with paintings by local artists who draw inspiration from agricultural and natural settings. The show is presented by the hospital in collaboration with Strolling of the Heifers, and was curated by artist Caryn King.

This show will remain on view through summer. All of the works are offered for sale, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Strolling of the Heifers.

The artists represented in the hospital show are Georgie, Caryn King, Esther Felding, Lesley Heathcote, Deborah Lazar, Meris Morrison, Janet Picard, David Rohn, Marjorie Sayer, and Robin Truelove Stronk. All live and work in the Brattleboro area. For more information about the art, or to purchase paintings, people may phone Caryn King at 802-380-7006.

Farm — oil painting by Georgie

Please visit also: “Faces of the Farm” — a show at River Gallery School, 32 Main Street.

River Gallery School students of all ages have been working from images of local farmers and farm animals. There are paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, and other media represented. Some of the farms depicted include: Lilac Ridge, Harlow Farm, Franklin Farm, Taylor Farm, Dwight Miller & Son Orchards, Green Mountain Orchard, Vermont Shepherd, Panic Swamp Farm, Sheep’s Nose Farm, and Paul Boyd Farm. For details, please visit the River Gallery School website.