Category Archives: Community Art

Art, Fire, Music and Magic

I think it’s universal to want to believe in magic. Who among us hasn’t wished at one time or another to be able to return to the sense of enchantment that we remember from childhood? Our imaginations and the stories we had been told, or found within the pages of books, laid the groundwork for fanciful adventures played out in the woods, on the ledges of an island, or even in a tent made of bedspreads.

This past weekend I found the closest thing to a portal back to that world. Fortunately, there are artists, musicians and people of vision who have kept that place alive and have made it possible for us to visit as well. The gateway opens once a year. Unleash your imagination for a few minutes and let me bring you along.

❖

Imagine it is the perfect summer evening, the sun has set and there is a gentle breeze. The mosquitoes must be sleeping as they are no where to be seen or heard, there is only the twinkling of fireflies and the soft sound of crickets to remind us of the insect world. We are standing in the middle of an open field. A huge bonfire crackles and smokes in front of us, sending a spray of sparks upward. Eyes rise to follow the flickering dance and then drop down again once the sparks dissolve into the night. From where we stand a stripe made of dozens of brightly lit glass votives bisects the field, beckoning us to follow it from the bonfire toward the edge of the woods. Who could resist?

Stepping into the trees we are swallowed in their darkness, but the votives reassuringly continue in a steady stream, cheerily urging us onward. The walkway undulates underfoot but is mostly clear of roots and is surprisingly easy to navigate in such limited light as we move deeper into the forest. Any worry about our footing is replaced by curiosity when we suddenly become aware of the sound of acoustic music in the distance. Each twist in the path brings us closer until finally we reach a candlelit clearing where a gypsy-like couple are playing soft strains of Italian folk music on guitar and accordion under a ceiling of stars.

After listening to their song we press on, following the seemingly endless votives. Soon we find ourselves stepping onto a narrow bridge, only wide enough to allow a single-file crossing. The bullfrogs greet us with their throaty plunks as floating paper lanterns, shaped like little boxes and edged in silver, gently illuminate their watery grass homes. Reluctantly, we keep walking. Leaving this beautiful setting and the bullfrogs to their evening song, the path of votives spurs us on as we continue back into the trees. Eventually the path emerges into a walled area where dozens of tiny, flickering candles are tucked into the crevices of piles of stones. There are several small campfires at the corners of this open chamber, lending a sense of significance and arrival. The stacked blocks of rock emit an uncharacteristic coolness for such a warm evening; the residual temperature they hold is evidence of harsher winter days, preserved by dense crowding and the shade that envelopes the piles during the day.

The votives persist. Guiding us up a wooded slope, they seem to merge with the stars in a way that could only be termed as magical. In time, we reach a gateway of sorts, two carved columns whose cracked and crumbled appearance suggests they are the last remains of an ancient ruin. More significantly, they signal our approach to what might be seen as an enchanted hallway. Gentle candle and torch light enhances the sense of mystery and reverence in this place; a corridor of granite carved with depictions of the wildlife that inhabit these woods, and reliefs reminiscent of prehistoric symbols. A dinosaur, and even a troll whose face is squeezing through the stone in an effort to free himself (or perhaps to catch a glimpse of us?) add a sense of humor to the spell that has overtaken us. The artwork is masterful, a physical reminder of the continuing heritage of stone-carving artistry that still exists in this part of the world. And all the while a guitar duo plays softly, accompanying and elucidating the wonder of this place and this evening.

After fully absorbing the spectacle, we descend, the votives steadfastly and safely escorting us past deep and dark water. You can smell its damp presence, yet in the low light there is no sound or sight to confirm its existence. In the distance we hear the low moans of what could be a whale, yet which we soon discover is in fact a fantastical instrument. Comprised of metal pipes of all widths and lengths, it emits mournful and eerie tones when played with a belching torch of fire that is held at intervals beneath the array of metal tubes. Beyond that, the path continues downward on its final leg. We pass one more guitarist, this time completely enrobed in darkness, sharing only the lilting sound of his instrument as we prepare to end our journey. In a suitable farewell from these mystical woods, the ever-present votives usher us out along a narrow lane that gently turns past young trees studded with colorful paper lanterns hanging from their branches. And then, as seamlessly as it began, the adventure ends as we reemerge back into the quiet open field that rests under a canopy of stars.

❖

My retelling of our evening can’t begin to do justice to the magical experience that is “Rockfire“, a 2-mile walk / convergence of art, fire and music in Millstone Hill’s abandoned quarries above Barre, VT. Follow the above link to learn more and to see videos & photos of the event from previous years.

Town Meeting Day

During this contentious election season, while there is so much venomous talk from and between several of the presidential candidates, I can’t begin to say how reassuring it was to attend my local Town Meeting Day this week.

Older Couple ©2016 Elizabeth Fram These two were paying close attention to the meeting. They were subtle, but because I was drawing them, it soon became evident which way they leaned as arguments were made re: the issue at hand.

“Uplifting” is a word that comes to mind regarding this annual forum that demonstrates democracy at its best — government by the governed. Carrying on a 200 year-old tradition practiced nowhere outside of New England, the community comes together. Opposing viewpoints are voiced with conviction, but also within an atmosphere of civility that, considering our current state of politics, appears to be a dying art.

In fact, in affirmation and endorsement of such courteous behavior, Vermont Town Meetings open with a Civil Invocation.* We are lucky across this state; Town Meeting Day is an occasion to witness and participate in the very essence of community.

And, not to be discounted, it also provides a wonderful opportunity to bring a sketchpad and get in some drawing practice.

*Civil Invocation: “Welcome to Town Meeting. We have come together in civil assembly, as a community, in a tradition that is older than our state itself. We come together to make decisions about our community. As we deliberate, let us advocate for our positions, but not at the expense of others. Let us remember that there is an immense gap between saying ‘I am right’ and saying ‘I believe I am right.’ And that our neighbors with whom we disagree are good people with hopes and dreams as true and as high as ours. And let us always remember that, in the end, caring for each other, in this community, is of far greater importance than any difference we may have. Welcome.”

Shining a Light on Community Art

I am so lucky to live in a place where both Community and Art are highly valued.
And when the two come together, it’s truly a thing of beauty.

For the past 5 years, I’ve had a wonderful time participating in Waterbury’s River of Light Lantern Parade. Conceived of and organized in 2010 by artists Gowri Savoor & Angelo Arnold, along with local art teacher and community powerhouse MK Monley, it has grown steadily, dispelling the cold and dark of a December evening each year, with the magic and warmth of light and community spirit.

This year’s theme was “Our Town – Faces, Places and Buildings from Your Home-town”, and for me, that couldn’t be any other structure than Portland Head Light of Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

I count myself fortunate to be among local artists invited to participate. Early each November, we meet for a weekend-long workshop to craft large-scale lanterns to represent the chosen theme. Up to our elbows in willow, masking tape, coffee filters and glue, it’s 2 full days of ideas, camaraderie, and good tunes. But the best part is getting to spend concentrated time with other artists.

Reinforcing my lighthouse Photo credit: Gowri Savoor

Meanwhile, in the weeks leading up to the parade all students in the primary school are busy creating their own lanterns. Their pride and excitement is electric as everyone lines up; it’s a blast to be in the middle of their enthusiasm!

The end result is a vision of imagination; a true “river of light” that winds through the streets of Waterbury on the appointed evening. Observers full of good cheer, stand shoulder to shoulder, spirits heightened by the glowing lanterns and the steady beat and whistles of the drum bands that accompany the procession. The whole town is swept up in the joy of a community art event that has something for everyone.

Check out this short video by Ryan Mercer of the Burlington Free Press for a taste of the exicitement.

It really hammers home the idea that art can and should be accessible to everyone. I encourage you to see what opportunities might be available in your town for bringing together your community with art. The results may surprise you.