Artists, farmers forge bond
Toolbox
By Susan Smallheer Staff Writer - Published: September 24, 2009
BELLOWS FALLS — Robert McBride believes artists and farmers have a lot in common.
So much so that McBride, the executive director of the Rockingham Arts and Museum Project, is hosting a town meeting Thursday evening at the Bellows Falls Visitors Center.
McBride said RAMP had made a commitment to strengthen what he calls the "constituency of artists, artisans and local food producers." He said they all re-create culture to view and experience, albeit with different sensibilities.
McBride said RAMP was committed to holding four town meetings a year to foster a bi-state creative community. Earlier meetings, he said, had drawn artists and farmers from the region, with a small gathering of 20 people or a large turnout of 60 people.
"It's about what's on their radar," McBride said. The RAMP meeting was not aimed at competing with artists' organizations in Brattleboro or White River Junction, both communities which have a strong artistic group.
One of the most important parts of the artists' town meeting is just going around the room and people introducing one another so that people recognize each other in other parts of the community.
Sonia Rae from the Vermont Arts Council and Jane Eklund from the New Hampshire Council on the Arts will give updates on grants that are available to artists and arts organizations, according to McBride.
He said Rae and Eklund will also give an overview on community development and the organization's priorities "in these economic times."
McBride has also invited Vermont's Local Banquet Magazine publishers Meg Lucas and Barbi Schrieber of Saxtons River, who are arts activists who will give an update on the Great Falls Food Hub project. That project's goal is to make locally-produced food available and affordable to all people in the region, while also providing a fair return to area farmers.
Farmers and food producers are a natural part of this network, McBride said. "I believe the whole food movement is a natural partner," he said.
Lynn Barrett, the founding editor of Southern Vermont Arts and Living magazine, will also be on hand, he said, to offer her observations from a marketing point of view.
McBride said he also expected the group to review the state Open Studio Weekend in May and to discuss how to plan for next year's weekend.
RAMP can provide artists with databases and bulk mailing and other organizational tools, he said.
The meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
susan.smallheer@rutlandherald.com
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