Vermont Museums and Galleries to Visit This Winter
February 08, 2025
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Farmers, nature, the rural landscape and beloved artists are showcased at Vermont museums and galleries this winter. Here are three museums, two art centers and one dog chapel to visit this winter.
-The Vermont Female Farmers exhibit at the Fleming Museum of Art at UVM features photos by JuanCarlos González. Top image: Visitors browse an exhibit at the Fleming. Courtesy images
Vermont Female Farmers in Burlington
A series highlighting passion, labor and grit are captured in the “Vermont Female Farmers” exhibit by JuanCarlos González. His 45 works are an intimate look at the daily life and livelihoods of the women whose hands shape farming in Vermont.
Drawing from his experiences on his grandmother’s farm, González started photographing women farmers across Vermont in 2020. Initially conceived as 10 portraits, the project quickly grew into an entire collection featuring nearly 50 farmers.
The Fleming Museum of Art at the University of Vermont exhibit also showcases paintings by Mary Ann Landon, Susan Abbott, and Altoon Sultan, as well as shearing scissors and other material objects.
Open now through May 17 on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday noon to 4 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday. Free admission.
Fleming Museum of Art at UVM, 61 Colchester Ave., Burlington; uvm.edu/fleming
-Art by Grace Dorman, a fantasy artist from Bethel, will be showcased at the Main Street Museum. Courtesy image
Whimsy in White River Junction
Explore wonder and enchantment in “The Art of Grace Dorman.”
Dorman, a fantasy artist from Bethel, creates illustrative paintings using a combination of mediums. Subjects that dance around the unusual, the odd, and even the macabre find home in her bright color palette and whimsical style.
She has dabbled in a wide array of mediums, including designing and pressing t-shirts and creating Pride stickers. Through it all, painting, especially watercolor, has been a staple of her creative outlets. Her work’s biggest inspiration will always be the fantastical – things that cannot exist or be easily articulated.
Open now through late March at the Main Street Museum in White River Junction. Museum tours are by appointment Thursday to Sunday. To schedule, text ‘Appointment Please’ to 802-356-2776.
The museum is open Friday at 6-ish p.m. for Piano Night, and Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. for Movie Night. Donations appreciated.
Main Street Museum, 58 Bridge Street, White River Junction; mainstreetmuseum.org
-The Montgomery Center for the Arts showcases art inspired by the planet. Courtesy image
Celebrate the Natural World in Montgomery
Immerse yourself in the beauty at “Nature’s Palette: Art Inspired by the Earth.” This creative homage to nature’s diverse beauty is an opportunity to connect with the community and indulge in art inspired by Earth.
The exhibit opens March 1 at 5 p.m. at the Montgomery Center for the Arts with a free piano concert, Play Every Town, performed by David Feurzeig. The center will also host a Spring Equinox reception on March 19 at 5 p.m.
Open March 1-30 at the Montgomery Center for the Arts. All entries will be exhibited (register your entry by February 22). The gallery is open on weekends from noon to 4 p.m. Free admission.
Montgomery Center for the Arts, 2 Mountain Road, Montgomery Center; montgomerycenterforthearts.com
-The Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street presents “Crossroads: Change in Rural America’ at the Chandler Center for the Arts. Courtesy image
Crossroads: Change in Rural America in Randolph
Explore how rural American communities changed in the 20th century. Most of the United States landscape remains rural with only 3.5% of the landmass considered urban. Since 1900, the percentage of Americans living in rural areas dropped from 60% to 17%.
The Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street, in cooperation with Vermont Humanities Council, presents “Crossroads: Change in Rural America.” The exhibit looks at the remarkable societal change and how rural Americans responded.
Vermont artists give this nationally touring exhibition a local complement and feature the work of Cecily Anderson, Jennifer Davey, Steve DePalma, Linda Diak, Carolyn Egeli, Amy Hook-Therrien, Woody Jackson, Davey Mace and Jack Rowell.
Open now through March 22 at the Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph. Open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Free admission to the gallery.
Chandler Center for the Arts, 71 North Main Street, Randolph; chandler-arts.org/chandler-gallery
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-The Dog Chapel in St. Johnsbury is a must-see for dog lovers. Photo by Erica Houskeeper
For the Love of Dogs in St. Johnsbury
The late illustrator and woodcarver Stephen Huneck created the beloved Dog Mountain, a place to celebrate our spiritual connection to dogs.
In a renovated farmhouse, Huneck’s Dog Mountain Gallery features the artist’s woodcut prints, his children’s books, and original wood-carved pieces and furniture. The main attraction is The Dog Chapel, which Huneck created and opened 25 years ago.
Dog Mountain is also now part of Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation that highlights the homes and working studios of American artists.
The recognition of Huneck’s artistic legacy also celebrates the vibrant community that has grown around his work and the spiritual sanctuary he created.
Winter hours for the gallery and Dog Chapel are Monday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. The grounds at Dog Mountain are open daily dawn to dusk Jan. 1 to April 30. Free admission.
Dog Mountain, 143 Parks Rd. St. Johnsbury; dogmt.com
-The Old Red Mill in Jericho showcases a permanent exhibit of Snowflake Bentley’s work. Photo by Erica Houskeeper
Happy Vermont Podcast: Snowflake Bentley
Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley was the first person to ever photograph a single snowflake.
On January 15, 1885—at age 19—he used photographic plates to capture his first snowflake image at his family’s farm in Jericho. His images of snowflakes are on permanent display at the Jericho Historical Society’s museum in the Old Red Mill.
“He had the mind of a scientist and the soul of a poet,” says Sue Richardson, Bentley’s great-grand-niece, who manages the exhibit and gift shop at the Jericho Historical Society.
Open Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. between January and March; and Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. between April 1 and December. Free admission.
Old Red Mill, 4A Red Mill Drive, Jericho; snowflakebentley.com
In this Happy Vermont podcast episode, Richardson shares stories about Snowflake Bentley and his lasting impact on the world.
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