Saturday, July 1 and Sunday, July 2
10am – 5pm
This self-guided driving expedition through the hills of East Topsham, Cookeville, and Newbury offers a uniquely intimate tour of artisan studios, gardens, and repurposed historic buildings. Visit 16 locations within a 7-mile radius.
“Each host was so welcoming and informative about their offering. The day far exceeded what we anticipated and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”
— Susan and John Hood, 2022 tour attendees
Pick up a brochure with map at area locations.
TOUR MAP: Click for full map – 11 x 8.5″ [PDF]
TICKETS:
$25 covers Saturday and Sunday
children – free
2023 TOUR PARTICIPANTS
⇓
#1 LOCATION – garden
It Suits Us Farm – Peter and Pearl Keene
30 Swamp Road
East Topsham, VT 05076
Peter and Pearl have created spectacular extensive gardens with a view from every angle. The property also includes a babbling brook along its border with a favorite summer swimming hole and a gazebo for a conversation and a cool drink. The property was historically a blacksmith shop, and the owner’s son was attached to the Vermont Cavalry during the Civil War as a blacksmith. Peter and Pearl named the property “It Suits Us Farm” and you will see their love of the place in every inch.
#2 LOCATION – photography
John Layton
Topsham Town Hall
6 Harts Road
East Topsham, VT 05076
Photographs presented in this exhibit are inspired by the landscapes and seascapes of New England, and are created using large format film cameras (an example of which will be present at the exhibit) which I have designed and built. Processing and printing are done entirely by hand, utilizing traditional (“wet darkroom”) methods.
#3 LOCATION – photography
Cat Cone – photographs/paintings
Topsham Town Hall
6 Harts Road
East Topsham, VT 05076
www.cathycone.com
cathy_cone Instagram
Cathy Cone is a photographer and painter. Her surrealist approach to photography began in the late 1970’s with the introduction of the “Diana” camera. This led to investigation of experimental techniques towards a multidisciplinary approach to her poetic image making. Cathy received her training at Ohio University, Vermont Studio Center. She received her MFA at the Maine Media College. Some of her exhibitions include Weisman Art Museum, University of Alabama, DeCordova Museum, the Griffin Museum of Photography, The Brattleboro Museum and Art Center and the Vermont Center for Photography. Her works are in the collection of IBM, Hallmark Fine Art Collections, American Express, and the Beekman a Thompson Hotel, New York. Cathy with her husband, master printer Jon Cone, founded Cone Editions Press in 1980 in Port Chester, NY as a collaborative printmaking workshop. Cone Editions Press is now located in East Topsham, Vermont where Cathy is director of the Workshops and Studio.
#4 LOCATION – photography
Judson Peck
Topsham Town Hall
6 Harts Road
East Topsham, VT 05076
Judson Peck is showing a series of mountain photographs from the Himalayan regions of Nepal and India. He trekked to Gomukh, the source of the Ganges River, at the base of the Gangotri Glacier in the Garhwal Himalayas of India in 2006. While studying abroad in Nepal in 2009, he was doing field research in remote Sherpa villages on greenhouses to grow food in the cold climates of the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park. Judson returned to the same area in 2013 to implement findings from his research and also completed the Everest Base Camp trek, including two high mountain passes, Cho La and Renjo La, ascending from 9,000 to 18,000 feet in a week. Judson’s photographs capture the harsh and mystical beauty of some of the highest mountains in the world.
#5 LOCATION – art & house
Traditional Handcrafted Romany Caravans by Dan Wing
Topsham Town Green at Smith Family Farm
1 Galusha Hill Road
East Topsham, VT 05076
Dan Wing: breadwagon@gmail.com
I built these caravans in 1987 and 2002, based roughly on Dutton Ledge wagons as used by British Romany between 1875 and WWI. These have steel wheels, rubber tires, and hydraulic brakes; they can be towed safely at highway speeds. The larger one has crossed the country twice and went once down to Louisiana. All the pine in the smaller wagon came from one tree. Advice freely given, but the wagons are not for sale. The Caravans will host a Books Galore Event — free books for children and adults, no ticket required, all welcome at the green.
#6 LOCATION – art & house
Ann Peck – paintings / ca. 1785 house tour
3 Welch Road
East Topsham, VT 05076
(802) 439-6403
www.annpeck-art.com
Ann Peck holds a Masters Degree of Fine Art in Painting from Southern Illinois University. Her 20 years of painting the landscape changed when she started travelling to India with her husband, Bruce Peck. Ann became infatuated with the raw silk of India hand woven on large wooden looms by local women. Their art forms also intrigued her, often portrayed on the walls of mud houses with a lime slip or drawn on the ground with colored powder and kicked into the dust. “My connection with art has always been through nature, but the rural village women of India took me to a new level.” Ann’s silk pieces are abstract, and hand painted with large bamboo brushes and sumi ink. There is no forgiveness in this process, it’s in the moment of creation. No two pieces are alike.
#7 LOCATION – art & house
Bruce Peck Etchings / ca. 1785 house tour
3 Welch Road
East Topsham, VT 05076
(802) 439-6403
www.brucepecketchings.com
Bruce Peck, a Vermont printmaker for 30 years, creates detailed hand colored etchings which explore the beauty and character of the New England landscape. His prints from hand drawn copper places are of the finest quality and produced in limited signed editions on 100% museum quality paper. His commitment to quality has led to award winning prints and representation by art galleries in New England and India.
#8 LOCATION – art
Donna Wilson – Felted Hats
3 Welch Road
East Topsham, VT 05076
(802) 439-5894
peacefulpasturesfarm@gmail.com
From my flock of 19 sheep, I select my finest wool that is then blended with kid mohair and spun at the Green Mountain Spinnery. It is dyed by me in my kitchen a few skeins at a time into many vibrant colors. Those skeins are knitted into oversized hats that are felted in my washing machine to create lovely, stylish hats.
#9 LOCATION – art
Kathryn Price Weaving Studio
65 Welch Road
Topsham, VT 05076
Kathryn is a highly trained weaver with her own studio full of looms in every shape and size. Her ikat scarves are exquisite in a beautiful array of color combinations. Her wall hangings include horsehair, quills and beads in unique, one-of-a-kind woven pieces.
#10 LOCATION – art & house
Wasted Spark Shop – Richard Barsotti
65 Welch Road
Topsham, VT 05076
Richard Barsotti: wastedsparkmotorcycles@gmail.com
wastedspark.com
Antique (35 years or older) motorcycle preservation, restoration and rebuilds — each category has different requirements and results.
#11 LOCATION – house & garden
Montview Winery, Tillman Family Vineyard
102 Flanders Lane
Corinth, VT 05039
Enjoy lunch by reservation.
(802) 439-6160
montviewvineyard.com
We are a family run rural winery set on 80 acres. The vineyard has a magnificent view of New Hampshire’s Presidential Range. The property has over 80 acres and is open to the public to hike and relax … with a glass of wine, of course. All of our wines are made by hand at our winery from our Cold Hardy Hybrid grapes. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the tasting room, under the apple trees or at the top of the hill overlooking the White Mountains.
Lunch includes: wine tasting, pulled pork sandwich or caprese sandwich (tomato, mozzarella and basil), homemade cookies. With a glass of wine – $14; with iced tea – $12. Call for a reservation for lunch on July 1 – 2!
#12 LOCATION – house
Corinth Academy Historical Displays and Tours
1767 Center Road (Cookeville)
Corinth, VT 05039
Norm Collette, President, Corinth Hist Society: (802) 685-3812
Information web page »
This beautiful old Academy Building built in 1846 houses a fantastic collection of local history gleaned from nearby communities by a group of dedicated town citizens. The exhibits are extensive so allow plenty of time to enjoy a “walk into the past.” Included in the display are three carefully restored vehicles, a hearse, a sleigh and a buggy, and photographs of the former Bobbin Mill of East Corinth where many local men worked. Programs and diplomas from the original school house are also on display giving us a glimpse of what might have been.
#13 LOCATION – farm shop & deli – SAT ONLY
Crossmolina Farm Market & Deli – Loftus Family
1776 Center Road (Cookeville)
Corinth, VT 05039
New deli is open for lunch on Saturday!
This family farm feeds the community with beautifully grown food that supports the vision expressed in this quote: “For the true measure of agriculture is not the sophistication of its equipment, the size of its income, or even the statistics of its productivity, but the good health of the land.” – Wendell Berry
#14 LOCATION – art
Cookeville Woodworking – Bill Peberdy
1986 Cookeville Road
Corinth, VT 05039
(802) 439-5581
cookevillewoodworking.com@gmail.com
www.cookevillewoodworking.com
Early on I was inspired by simple, rural vernacular and Shaker furniture. Over time, I found that the bright colors and unusual trim details in Scandinavian and Eastern European country furniture blended well with the reclaimed lumber and miscellaneous salvaged architectural details I enjoy incorporating into my work. The inspiration for the various carved crests on my mirrors evolved from crests found on early New England stone grave markers.
#15 LOCATION – art
The Felting Studio – Neysa Russo
819 Center Rd
Corinth, VT 05039
(802) 439-6742
neysa.russo@live.com
thefeltingstudio.com
Neysa Russo is working round the clock to open her new felting studio, a repurposed historical building built in 1845 and formerly used as a meeting house, church and theatre. The building has a stage, so if you feel inspired to sing your favorite song or recite a poem, Neysa invites you to do so. Her beautiful felted wall hangings are inspired by ancient themes like dragons, florals and Celtic patterns. They are for sale with 10% directly benefiting the Blake Memorial Library. She will demonstrate her process both days and offer kits for sale suitable for children and adults. Her new studio is located one mile from the Corinth Academy building and Crossmolina Farm Shop. Turn right onto Center Road from those landmarks and follow the library tour signs.
#16 LOCATION – garden
Four Corners Farm – Bob & Kim Gray
306 Doe Hill Road
Newbury, VT 05051
(802) 866-3342
4cornersfarm@gmail.com
4cornersfarm.com
Highest quality produce for sale on this diversified family farm. “We take great pride in producing the very highest quality fruits and vegetables possible while at the same time making every effort to take care of the land that is taking care of us.”
LUNCH:
- #11: Montview Winery (w/reservation): 102 Flanders Lane, Corinth, VT 05039
- #13: Crossmolina Farm Deli (Saturday only): 1776 Center Road, Corinth, VT 05039 (Cookeville)
- Newbury Village Store: 4991 Main St/Rt 5, Newbury, VT
GAS:
- East Corinth General Store: corner of Rt 25 and Village Road
- Many restaurants and gas stations in downtown Bradford & next to I91 – Exit 16
This Art, House & Garden Tour is a benefit fundraiser event for Blake Memorial Library.
Many thanks to our 2023 sponsors:
Cone Editions | Cedar Circle Farm | Bruce Peck Etchings
2022 Tour Participants:
(These participants are not on the 2023 tour, but may be contacted regarding their work/to make a purchase.)
Lois Jackson – botanical artist
Village Eclectics
35 Bank St
Bradford, VT 05033
802-449-3330
villageeclectics.com
Lois Jackson is a botanical watercolor artist who holds a degree in Botany from Drew University. Her career began as an illustrator in pen and ink for scientific publications and has continued for 60 years. She has added color to her paintings over the last 20 years and loves the local wildflowers, fungi and bryophytes. Her personal art gallery is housed in the vault of the 1891 Bradford Bank Building, a work of art in itself in a unique setting now called Village Eclectics on the first corner of “main street” in Bradford on the left. Her work is an exquisite merger of botany and art, with each piece meticulously detailed.
Robert Chapla – Hidden Spring Studio
robertchapla.com
Studio/gallery in a refurbished antique barn, and multiple gardens that merge with the natural environment.
Suzanne Opton – photographs
suzanneopton.com
Suzanne Opton in collaboration with others was able to place soldier billboards and banners in ten American cities. She thought these images belonged outside a gallery setting, away from the politics and to bring awareness to the plight of America’s young soldiers in harm’s way. She recorded the tour of duty and place for each soldier.
Fritz Gross – paintings
friedrichgross.com
Friedrich Gross, a Swiss-born artist, got his start as a house painter in Zurich before immigrating to the United States and moving into the NYC art world. His whimsical paintings are a combination of folklore, myth and fantasy that evoke a deep sympathetic response that has universal appeal. His home and studio is now in rural Vermont.
Anne Bergeron – photographs
annebergeronvt.com
My photography seeks to honor the mystery and beauty that I find in nature and in daily living. This exhibition of my work includes images from Tree Dances, a collaborative project that unites the female form in kinship and counterpoint with the trunks and empty hulls of local trees. Other offerings include photographs of waterlilies found in Vermont ponds, and images of antique silver-plated spoons given to me by my mother. Proceeds from this exhibit will support the work of Tree Sisters, an international organization dedicated to ameliorating climate change through reforestation, endangered species protection, and gender parity.
The Growing Peace Project – Jacqueline Labate
thegrowingpeaceproject.org
The Growing Peace Project is a national peacemaking, social justice, and youth activism initiative. Our free food teaching garden and related programs are dedicated to our local food insecure neighbors and anyone interested in learning how to grow, prepare, and preserve garden food.
Wasted Spark Shop – Richard Barsotti
wastedspark.com
Antique (35 years or older) motorcycle preservation, restoration and rebuilds — each category has different requirements and results.
Email Richard: wastedsparkmotorcycles@gmail.com
Kathryn Price Weaving Studio
Kathryn is a highly trained weaver with her own studio full of looms in every shape and size. Her ikat scarves are exquisite in a beautiful array of color combinations. Her wall hangings include horsehair, quills and beads in unique, one-of-a-kind woven pieces.
Jeff Spiegel Art Studio – sculpture & paintings
Watch on YouTube
My semi-abstract paintings and small sculptures represent insights about life experiences, nature, night and daydreams. By experimenting with plaster, acrylics, oil and spray paint, a host of found metal objects and wood crafted from our own cherry and ash trees, I’ve been able to reveal a myriad of provocative and engaging artwork that serves as metaphors for how I’ve experienced the world.
Crossmolina Farm Market – Loftus Family
1776 Center Road
Corinth, VT 05039 (Cookeville)
crossmolinafarm.com
This family farm feeds the community with beautifully grown food that supports the vision expressed in this quote: “For the true measure of agriculture is not the sophistication of its equipment, the size of its income, or even the statistics of its productivity, but the good health of the land.” – Wendell Berry
Chris Groschner – collage constructions
brickcape.com
“Over time, Chris Groschner’s collages have evolved from being contained within a traditional frame and behind glass into pieces that escape the frame, expanding and altering the viewer’s relationship with the pieces. Surrealist, Steampunk meets Beetlejuice, and psychological landscapes are a few phrases that may come to mind. You will not encounter this world in real life.”