When it comes to the visual arts, there’s a lot to see and do in downtown Bennington, Vt. In the past two years the downtown has grown to become its own destination for those seeking arts and crafts in a variety of media, with several shops and galleries located within walking distance of each other. The amount of exhibition space downtown has also increased, with a new gallery and an ongoing program that brings the work of local and regional artists to storefront windows.
Flanking the corner of U.S. Route 7 and state Route 9, in the large marble building that once housed the First National Bank, is Fiddlehead at Five Corners, which co-owner Joel Lentzner calls “a retail theater.†Lentzner and his partner Nina Hardt spent many years as furniture-makers travelling throughout the country and met many crafters along the way. The store is an all-star lineup of their favorites; items include prints, hand-blown glass, furniture, lamps, and sculptures. They have a special room for kids’ items and each month they have a mini-exhibit from a local artist in what used to be the vault of the former bank.
Sarah Dole’s Left Bank Gallery, a few doors down on West Main Street, is chock full of interesting gifts and decorations. While she usually holds monthly exhibitions every summer in her upstairs gallery, this year she decided to focus on her downstairs shop and take time for her own artwork. Earlier this summer she had planned to hold a show of her own work, but she has postponed it until a later date.
Entering the Left Bank is like stepping into another world. With global influences including Chinese calligraphy, Indian weaving, and Renaissance art, Dole creates an atmosphere that is both inviting and eye-opening. The smaller items make her shop/gallery most unique: a collection of unique greeting cards and prints, pillows made from a women’s co-op in India, and wrapping paper that is worth framing on its own.
The small storefront located to the right of Left Bank is of Katie Cleaver, a metalsmith who has been in business for more than 25 years. Her small store specializes in contemporary jewelry with some sculpture. Cleaver said she has become so busy that she no longer takes custom orders, “unless someone is willing to wait for a year.â€
Around the corner, next to Your Belly’s Deli on Pleasant Street, is the historic Stark Hose Co. building, headquarters of an former neighborhood fire station. The building, with a Dutch style roof, was renovated through an adaptive reuse program by the North Bennington-based Vermont Arts Exchange (VAE). An artist apartment is located upstairs, and downstairs the Stark Hose Gallery opened this past winter.
Currently, the VAE is holding an exhibit of photographs from students at the Parsons School of Design in New York City. And they’re gearing up for this fall’s WindowWorks program, which invites local artists to submit artwork that may be chosen to go on display downtown in one of the many store windows.
Heading east on Main Street, The Pea Pod has a wide variety of gifts and accessories for the home, including pottery, clocks, candles and lamps. For art supplies, both Knapp’s Pets, Hobbies and Music on Main and Jay’s Art Shop and Frame Gallery on South Street are excellent resources. Jewelers include Tofel Jewelers and K.F. Armstrong Jewelers, longtime dealers in fine jewelry. And just a jaunt down the road, up Route 7, one will find an interesting mix of items at Hawkins House, which has handmade games, hand-woven rugs and much jewelry.
Each of these venues has its own unique quality, and it is rare to find one hub with so many options.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
What To Do Immediately After a Car Accident: A Step-by-Step Guide for Drivers
No one plans to be involved in a car accident, but knowing what to do in the moments afterward can help protect your safety, your passengers, and your vehicle.
Whether it's a minor fender bender or a more serious collision, staying calm and following a few important steps can make a stressful situation much easier to manage.
1. Check for Injuries First
Your first priority should always be the safety of everyone involved.
Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Even if injuries appear minor, it's often best to have emergency responders evaluate the situation.
If you are unable to move safely, remain in your vehicle until help arrives.
2. Move to a Safe Location if Possible
If the accident is minor and the vehicles can be driven safely, move them to the shoulder of the road or another safe location away from traffic.
Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
If the vehicles cannot be moved safely, remain inside with your seatbelt fastened until emergency personnel arrive.
3. Call the Police
Even in a minor accident, contacting local law enforcement can be beneficial.
A police report provides an official record of the incident that may be important for insurance claims and future documentation.
When speaking with officers, provide factual information about what happened, but avoid speculating about fault.
4. Exchange Information
Gather the following information from all drivers involved:
Name and contact information
Driver's license number
Insurance company and policy number
Vehicle make, model, and license plate number
It's also helpful to collect contact information from any witnesses who may have seen the accident.
5. Take Photos and Document the Scene
Your smartphone can become one of your most valuable tools after an accident.
Today, gerrymandering is a widely accepted term for creating voting districts using tools that political scientists call “cracking” and “packing.” click for more
