New Exhibit Opening & Garden Party at the Chaffee Art Center July 27th!

New Exhibit Opening & Garden Party at the Chaffee Art Center July 27th! The Chaffee Art Center, Your Center for Creativity, is getting ready for "Connections"...An intergenerational Exhibit that opens Saturday, July 27th, 2-4pm with our 2nd Annual Garden Party! Thanks to Sponsor, Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging. We invite the community to join us for this free and fun event that celebrates the opening of our new exhibit and annual Garden Party! There will be lots of activities, demos, speakers, light refreshments and more happening both inside the mansion and outside by our Gardens. If the weather doesn't cooperate, we will move it all inside! Don't miss the opportunity to explore the 100-foot Pollinator Garden with native plantings, growing Sculpture Garden, and over a dozen gardens on our historic property. Be sure to come inside our 1890s Queen Anne Victorian Mansion full of art, gift ideas and stunning architecture. Attendees will experience our new exhibit that is about connection. The artwork will have stories written by the artists to connect their art to others! Connection is important across the ages as it builds stronger communities. Storytelling across generations reinforces cultures, allows stories to live on, preserves stories and histories, and opens up community narratives. Creating connections also helps with loneliness. Did you know that 92% of Americans believe that art helps with the feeling of loneliness and isolation across age groups?! Free activities from 2pm to 4pm with speakers and demos to include: 2pm...Gardens of the 1890s - Sophie Tommola 2:30pm...Let’s Talk About Daylilies - Martha Verrington 3pm...Meadows, Mountains, and Moraines: The History and Future of Northeastern Grasslands - Kevin Tolan, Vermont Center for Ecostudies 3:30pm...Fun Building Terrariums - Learn basic Terrarium building and how to care for it - Chrystal Bean Demos: -Bird Wood Carving - artist, Christine Townsend -Plein Air Flower Painting - artist, Jen Rondinone -Mandala Rock Painting - artist, Evie Towsley -Planting - gardener and artist, Michelle Hartline -Rutland County Audubon Society Booth -The Chaffee Art Center is a VT Bee Lab Drop off Bee Sample Station. Instructions for sample collection and submission can be found at https://www.vermontbeelab.com/diagnostics/ Join us to mingle, get creative, learn from speakers, watch demos, and experience the fun! Be sure to explore both the outdoor gardens and the works of art throughout the mansion where Chaffee artist members’ works will be on display and for sale throughout the galleries, as well as in the Gallery Shoppe that is filled with handmade treasures and gift ideas for any occasion. There is no charge to attend. Schools, Groups and Visitors: We created these outdoor spaces for the community and visitors to enjoy while they learn about native plants, bushes and pollinator gardens. They can be used as an educational tool for area schools and bus groups, visitors as well. Visit www.chaffeeartcenter.org for updates on events, summer camps, classes for all ages and more. Call 802.775.0356, info@chaffeeartcenter.org, or stop by the Chaffee Art Center at 16 South Main Street in Rutland, VT. Open to the public: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 5pm; Saturday 10am to 3pm.