Annual Appeal
Season’s greetings from the Chaffee Art Center!
It is hard to believe that it’s time once again to write about the year that has gone by. Sitting here in the quiet of the Chaffee mansion, remembering the good and the not so good, but being thankful for it all.
Many are not as lucky to feel so connected to their work and passionate about the positive impact this community art center has, and can continue to have, on the community and each individual that walks through our doors. Every day, being inspired by the work of talented artists and artisans whose work fills our rooms, and the magnificence of the mansion architecture.
Thank you to everyone who made 2021 a special year at the Chaffee. A heartful thank you to the many volunteers who have put in much time and energy so that we succeed. This year marked our 60th Anniversary which we celebrated with a huge cake at the Fall Art in the Park, one of our two major fundraising events held yearly in August and October. We had a large variety of happy Exhibitors, many with record sales!
We are so proud of our new railing and balusters that were primed, painted, installed and painted again, all by volunteers. The gutters were also fixed, and new pieces installed with funds from a Preservation Trust Grant so the side porch with newly installed floorboards will be safe from water damage. This grant also paid to get the donated heat pump hot water heater installed. In progress is a project to put sensor lights in the Galleries with funding by an Efficiency Vermont Grant. And, thanks to the generous donation from Joe and Barb Giancola, we paid off the mortgage to the Carriage House!
We introduced many new events and projects:
- Saturday Artisan Market May to October
- Holiday Gift Show Friday/Saturday in November
- Dedicated Gallery Shoppe with artist member work
- Artist Talks, Music lessons by Green Mountain Music
- BenchART Community Street Art Project with 42 benches painted by area artists to be permanently installed in Downtown Rutland and throughout the community.
A brochure will feature benches, murals, sculpture trail and more. Many have been installed and are spectacular seen in-person. View them all at www.chaffeeartcenter.org with photos, artists, sponsors, and locations. - The Summer Matters Grant allowed us to offer many camps and classes this summer, and to purchase instruments for our Lending Library of Musical Instruments, as well as equipment for our Multi-media Lab
- 2022 Chaffee Calendar featuring member artist work…a fundraiser and for sale now at $15 donation each
It was a special privilege to host two memorials for dear friends of the Chaffee and wonderful members of the Community as we said goodbye to Ilene Blackman and Norma Montaigne. There is a memorial bench donated by Friends of Norma’s on the Chaffee grounds.
Looking toward 2022, we are excited to present powerful and meaningful exhibits, offer a wide array of classes and workshops, collaborate with the Rutland County Audubon to beautify our grounds with native plants, and to continue to build strong relationships while making a difference for our community. Please consider making a tax-deductible charitable donation. Your contribution truly makes a difference. With it, we can continue to enhance the community with the arts, creating a vibrant and sustainable future!
Warmest of wishes for a healthy, happy holiday season and 2022!
Sherri Birkheimer Rooker, Executive Director