STUFF YOU SHOULDN'T MISS

      ArtBits always features a calendar of the goings on of Franklin County artists. Check out these events around Franklin County. Each issue includes the entire text of our weekly newspaper column.

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     Franklin County's arts and music gatherings bring new opportunities, gossip, "show-and-tell" and occasional workshops. There are also booked and acoustic Open Mic Nights that feature music, readings, and more from the best new artists in Vermont.

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FEATURED ARTIST

      Photographer and farm girl Paula Yandow of East Fairfield shoots intriguing local scenes of farming and sugaring and dragonflies.
      "I photograph what I live," she said so her photographs include a harvest of "farming and tons of sugaring." In fact, she started photography as a kid. "I totally drove my family crazy on the farm taking their pictures.
      "The farm is my absolute favorite type of shoot. From cows to horses to people to machinery to landscape. I never tire of it all!"
      She shoots Vermonticana which is a lot more specific than Americana.
      Three of her photos were published in Capture My Vermont, Volume II.
      Capture My Vermont is user-driven, a collection of the "best of Vermont in photography, captured [and contributed] by people who love Vermont." It has fine-art iconic photos as well as snapshots from a step or two off the beaten path, all arranged in categories that range from the abstract, agriculture, and architecture through farm animals and landscapes, to weather and wildlife. click here for more info and click here to see her own collection there.
      "I am in love with my life," she said. "There is so much to find amazing about each day." . She sees things differently and she photographs most of it.
      Rita Langlois says Ms. Yandow represents Vermont exceptionally well and has asked her to be a vendor at the Federated Garden Clubs of Vermont annual show in June.
      She sells her prints and giclees up to 16"x24" at craft fairs and at Carman Brook Farm, Rail City Market, and Bayberry Cottage, plus Stone's Shell in East Fairfield and Quimby Hill Designs in Berkshire. Her "Any Occasion cards" are photocards with no message.
      "I think that Chain [pictured here] represents my style well," she said of her desire to capture something extra, something unexpected in each image.
      "I am now taken seriously as a photographer and sought after for that type of shoot that is just a little different. People find me to capture the essence of themselves that they though only they knew." Her camera always finds it.
      The Messenger and the All Arts Council will feature a new image from a Franklin County artist many weeks through the winter. Email the All Arts Council or click here for more info. Click here to see all the featured artists in a single gallery.

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ART ON THE WALLS

ST. ALBANS--The Northwestern Medical Center Gallery hosts Paula Yandow in a second solo show this month.
      "I'm a full Vermont girl, 100%," she said "so whatever season we're in I'm there." She's showcasing the month of February and "in spite of the harshness, I'm doing the beauty of winter."
      The show continues through the end of January.

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ON STAGE LIVE

SOUTH HERO--Snow Farm Vineyard presents Carol Ann Jones in Wine Down Friday on, well, Friday at 6:30 p.m.

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ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap offers Blues Night with the Nobby Reed Project this evening at 7 p.m. Then the Contois School of Music Band takes the stage for a Beatles 50th Tribute on Sunday at 6:30 p.m.
      Vermont's premiere blues trio includes Eric Belrose, percussion, Ray Bushey, bass, and Mr. Reed on lead guitar and vocals.
      The CSM Band is a live performance band made up of students and teachers of the Contois School of Music. Members include Kaylee Contois, guitars/keyboards/vocals; Trevor Contois, bass guitars/keyboards/vocals; Ian Koeller, drums; Mingo Maquera, Guitars/keyboards/vocals; Rosie Newton, keyboards/vocals; Elysia Way, guitars/vocals; and Pete Willett, guitars/vocals.
      Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info.

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BURLINGTON--The Contois Auditorium hosts the annual Young Tradition Showcase concert in City Hall on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Showcase will feature short sets of teacher/student, parent/child, adult/young person combinations.
      Young Tradition Vermont recognizes the unique relationships and creative collaborations that form when traditional music and dance is passed from one person to the next, the hallmark of the folk process. The event supports families with children with life-threatening illnesses.
      Email or click here for more info.

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ST. ALBANS--Twiggs presents singer/songwriter Kari Beth in the dining room on Saturday at 7 p.m.
      She is most excited about working on her first solo album to be released beginning of 2014. Her music generally fits the Folk/Americana genre but every show is different thanks to her diverse influences.
      Call 802.524.1405 or click here for more info.

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STOWE--The Trapp Family Lodge hosts piano/bass duos with John Cassel and Will Patton on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

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CELEBRITYNESS

ST. ALBANS--Northwest Access station manager Elizabeth Malone asks, "Do you have what it takes to shine in the spotlight?" The TV Studio will hold How to Become a (Local) Celebrity on Wednesday, February 12, at 6 p.m.
      This workshop in a professional studio will uncover the skills to produce a show to amaze your friends and neighbors. The star-studded night of learning only costs $10. Scholarships are available.
      As Seen on TV!
      Channel 16 has rolled out Online Service. School and municipal boards can now broadcast meetings online as well as on Channel 16. Three boards have signed up. If your local board hasn't joined, tell them you want to "Watch Online."
      Visit St. Albans Town Selectboard's online channel at vimeo.com and click here for more info or to register for classes.

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FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

RICHFORD--The AA Brown Public Library hosts Make It and Take It : Needlefelting, a free workshop on Saturday at 11 a.m.
      The needle felting process interlocks wool fibers by stabbing them with a barbed needle to catch the scales on the fiber and cause them to tangle and bind together. Unlike traditional felting, it is done with dry wool. Participants will use wool roving, a felting needle, and punch board to create a shaped felted ornament or a gift tag.
      Ms. Wright is a member of the Artist In Residence Co-operative Gallery in Enosburg. The workshop is free and aimed at adults, but older children or children with helpers are welcome, too.
      The Library also hosts Snowflake Bentley and Snowflakes on Monday at 3 p.m.
      Kelley will guide participants through the life and photography of this Vermont native and his pioneering work to capture snowflakes. There's a pretty good chance to make some instant snow as well.

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CLICK HERE: ART SITE OF THE WEEK

     Scenic and nature photographer Mike Taylor of Maine quit his day job about a year ago to take pictures for a living. His images and essays have been featured on Space.com, Earthsky.org, the Weather Channel, Spaceweather.com, Solarham.net, and other science pages. He works with the International Dark-Sky Association to help raise public awareness of artificial light pollution. Taylor Photography is based in a 19th Century farmhouse in Maine. His site includes his portfolio, studio work, a bio, press about Mr. Taylor, workshops, and contact info.

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FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

      ArtBits features a quick weekly peek at the bookshelf or night stand of the folks you know in and around Franklin County. That popular feature has a page of its own at the Franklin County Bookshelf here on the AAC site.

SUPPORT LIVE ARTS IN YOUR TOWN!

All Arts Council of Franklin County

Dick Harper, Chair
P.O. Box 1
Highgate Springs, VT 05460
email us