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NEWS

The Norwich Guidon
Nov. 13, 2003

Round Barn offers unusual setting for art show

By John Higgins
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

The Art Show at The Round Barn, which was held in mid-October, has encouraged some Norwich visitors to go to more Vermont art exhibits in the future. The Round Barn Inn, which is located in Warren, is an old restored farmhouse and round barn.

The Round Barn, also called "The Joslyn Round Barn," was built by Clem Joslyn in 1910. It was used as a dairy barn from 1910 until 1969, when Marge Joslin said to Ralph Joslin "either the cows go or I go," according to the Inn at The Round Barn web site www.innattheroundbarn.com

The web site also says "Jack and Doreen Simko bought the Round Barn Farm in March of 1986," and spent two years restoring it. During the restoration, the barn was jacked up in order to pour a concrete foundation, which replaced the old crumbling field stone foundation.

The Round Barn idea stems from the Shakers, a religion which believed that "the devil can't get you in the corners."

Jamie Hamilton a 22-year-old junior majoring in psychology from Groton, Mass. said, "the Art Show at The Round Barn Inn was a free art show that was open to the public with a recommended three-dollar donation.

"I didn't expect the quality of the art to be as high as it was." Hamilton said, adding that she feels compelled to go to more art shows in Vermont now that she knows that there are artists as talented as the ones who displayed their work at The Round Barn Inn.

Dennis Garvin, a 23-year-old senior communications major from Hudson, Mass., said he would recommend that other people see such art shows, as well.

He said he had never been to an art show, but now that he went to The Art Show at The Round Barn Inn, he has a better idea of what type of art is out there. He also said that he feels more apt to go to another show now, because the one at the round barn was so well organized.

Garvin explained that when visitors went into the round barn they would see white temporary walls, which have been put up around in a maze-like manner through the second floor of the barn. The temporary walls were for displaying the art.

Many different types of art were displayed, and many different kinds of material were used to create the various types of art. Garvin said materials such as steel and clay were used.

Hamilton said other types of materials were also used including, "oil paints, pastels, water colors, photography, black and white charcoal, pastel and pencil, monotype on rice paper, steel mesh, Raku, fabric, topaz, and oil with pastel. Both of the people interviewed admitted that they were surprised to see such a large array of materials used.

The art that was displayed ranged in theme, Hamilton said, from traditional Vermont landscapes, such as barns, farms, fields, trees, bushes, and hay bails; to scenes such as fall, winter, summer, night, waterfalls, and flowers; animals such as horses, cows, deer, fox; and even abstract art was included.

"My favorite piece of art was an oil on canvas called, More Sweet Dreaming, by a women named Ann Katie."

Hamilton said. "The piece was three-dimensional, and it looked so real to me. The colors used were incredible, everything in the picture was so bright and it all contrasted against each other really well. That's why it immediately caught my attention."

There was one museum volunteer who greeted the visitors and told them that they could vote on their favorite art work. All the art that was displayed was for sale, and smaller art works were also stacked in the lobby. There was another volunteer who took care of the exchanging of information in case a purchase was going to be made.

The art for sale ranged in price from about $125 for a small print on fabric to about $9,000.

The artists were from all over New England and were of all ages. The youngest artist was 16 years old.

Hamilton explained that the most shocking piece of art she was exposed to at the art show was a naked print of an elderly woman that was done life size on rice paper. She also said that while she was there a group of 11 or 12-year-olds came into the museum.

"The children gave quite a reaction when they saw the old, nude lady," Hamilton said.

Hamilton said visitors to the museum walked "at your own leisure. We were there for about an hour and a half, but you can go through in 10 minutes or less."

"The Art show at The Round Barn had a great variety of art that you could be subjected to, and it's a great way to unwind and get rid of stress." Hamilton said.

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, Northfield, VT 056632. www.norwich.edu/guidon. If you have any questions or comments about the paper, please contact Professor Ken Bush at kbush@norwich.edu.