Bennington, VT Weekend
From the Studios of Garin Baker
Carriage House Art Studios
October 1st 2012
The Bennington Center for the Arts
Clara at the Henry Covered Bridge, Bennington, VT.
This past weekend Clara and I travelled to Bennington, Vermont for the Oil painters of America's Eastern Regional Competition and Exhibition marvelously and stunningly displayed at the Bennington Center for the Arts. I can't express enough how well organized and arranged the entire weekend was.
This amazingly designed and beautiful exhibition space is situated just north of the majestic Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts in the lower corner of South Western Vermont.
The Bennington Center for the Arts is in becoming the premier arts exhibition venue on the east coast for Representational Art.
Shirley Hutchins, curator and director of the Art Center, Kathryn Beligratis, Executive Director of OPA and Ken Cadwallader, Vice President couldn't have selected and organized more perfect weekend event, full of an engaging lists of things to do for the entire 3 days.
This area is spattered with wonderful art & cultural sites including The Clark Museum, Norman Rockwell Museum, Williams College Museum of Art and The Bennington Art Museum, worthy any weekend get away trip for painting the iconic New England landscape, combined with museum visits including some of the most important and celebrated works of of Art through out history.
The Event started on Friday with a paint out during the day in charming Bemnnington, the original surroundings of Norman Rockwell's home and studio. Later that evening a diner was organized for many of the Artists included in the exhibition. Saturday was filled with invites to many of the exhibits at the Art Center as well as a painting demonstration by juror and premier contemporary American Landscape Artist and OPA Master Signature Member Kenn Backus,
Following Kenn's demo was a slide preview and talk from the director of the Clark Museum. He brought only a small highlighted presentation of the works by Sargent, Homer, and Remington on view at the Museum. The following day we would be given a personal tour in Williamstown, MA only a short drive south from Bennington after a warm and delightful breakfast served by Shirley and her mom at the Art Center.
John Singer Sargent highlights from the Clark Museum:
Detail, John Singer Sargent, Portrait of Carlos Duran
Detail, John Singer Sargent, Portrait of Carlos Duran
John Singer Sargent,
Not only were there more Sargents, but significant and truly amazing paintings by Alma Tedema, Winslow Homer, Remington and countless other stand out works from this incredible collection.
I'm going again as soon as possible and on the way stopping to paint this beautifully preserved New England Landscape.
Next time a weekend just won't do it.
Garin Baker.
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