Representing Vermont’s past, present and future through art
MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Students of all ages and across Vermont submitted works of art to commemorate America’s 250th.
Right next to dirty dishes, beautiful artwork adorns the walls of the cafeteria in the Statehouse. There are over 100 pieces of art here, submitted by K-12 students to commemorate Vermont’s role in America’s founding, in a way that allows for self expression. It’s part of a collaboration between the Agency of Education, and the Governor Scott appointed Vermont 250th Anniversary Commission.
“When we think of the 250th or we think about the American Revolution, we often think about history and social studies,” said Vermont 250th Commissioner Israel Provoncha. “But what this has done is provided us a different avenue for people to not only express their understanding of the 250th, but also to engage people with the 250th.”
The show is themed “Unfinished Revolutions,” and includes not only individual pieces, but also group pieces. A quilted piece called “Rainbow Houses” was a collaboration between 15 students at Putney Central School. That piece, along with four others was chosen to be part of the permanent state archives, and will eventually hang in the Statehouse.
Agency of Education arts content specialist Eric Howard says this will allow future generations to see how students viewed our current moment in history.
“You know there’s a number in our political climate now, and some students really took an important stance on social issues and social justice, so this really provided an avenue for kids to approach this,” he said.
He added that displaying these in the Statehouse cafeteria, was intentional.
“This gives some insight to our legislators and the people here who make decisions in Vermont, and this is a way for students to get their insight and their perspective to that audience in a way that might otherwise not be possible.”
Enosburgh Falls 10th grader Ryah Whitehead’s piece made it into the state archives. It’s about children caught in the middle of political fighting.
“I think that big issues tend to come from little issues,” she said. “For example, like what I did, people are arguing over things they don’t agree on. If you want to fix the big issues, I think, you need to start somewhere, and somewhere could be there.”
Whitehead also said she wants to continue with her art career, and pursue art in college. The gallery will be taken down in the cafeteria at the end of March, but most of the pieces will be on display at Chimney Point in May.
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