The Gallery: Current and Upcoming Exhibitions
MCL is proud to offer The Gallery, a space for the exhibition of original works by local and regional artists. The Gallery has the same operating hours as the Library as a whole, and hosts openings when new artists take up residence on our walls.
Main Gallery
“Finding Hope Within” | Gallery Opening: Thursday, June 25, 5 – 7 pm | On Display through August 15
“Finding Hope Within” is a traveling exhibition of works by poets and artists incarcerated in Vermont. John Vincent of A Revolutionary Press (New Haven, VT) began “Finding Hope Within” to highlight the healing and transformative role that art plays within the American carceral system. The pieces on display range in process and medium, from knitted sculptures and garments to illustrations, poetry, and letterpress prints. The creation of the art and the curation of the pieces for exhibition are collaborative efforts between volunteers and organizations committed to keeping hope alive for incarcerated individuals.
For the gallery opening event at the Library, the three curators will each present on their particular involvement with the artists whose works are featured in the “Finding Hope Within” exhibition.
Heather Newcomb of Turning Point Center of Addison County will explain her connection with the women artists and poets incarcerated at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility, as well as those who have returned to their communities.
Anna Jennings, the volunteer poetry facilitator of Free Verse Fridays at the Southern State Correctional Facility, will talk about her experiences with the poets who attend these weekly sessions and will read selections of their published poems as well as newly written pieces.
John Vincent of A Revolutionary Press will talk about the origins of this exhibition, which began touring Vermont in July 2023, and how it compares to similar exhibits in other states. He will also describe how the Press and the incarcerated poets and artists participate in both the design process and the actual papermaking and letterpress printing of their poems and artwork.
Those attending the opening will have the opportunity to pull a letterpress print related to this exhibition on the same printing press that the poets use at the prison.
Youth Gallery
MCL is proud to offer the Youth Gallery space on the walls of the Children’s Library. The Youth Gallery features the work of local young artists and hosts a gallery opening for each exhibit.
Lower Level Gallery
Current Display
The Lost Ski Areas of Vermont by the Manchester Historical Society & the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum
You’re invited to explore a special pop-up exhibit in the lower gallery of the Manchester Community Library. This collaborative display between the Manchester Historical Society (MHS) and the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum (VTSSM) in Stowe highlights Vermont’s “lost” ski areas.
For more than 20 years, VTSSM has been documenting Vermont’s “lost” ski areas. Their research has identified 190 closed ski areas and six that never opened. This exhibit features a selection of sites located south of Route 4, including #35: Snow Valley, which is highlighted here.
To learn more about Vermont’s lost ski areas, please visit vtssm.org or call 802-253-9911.
Upcoming Exhibitions
Contact
To get information about The Gallery or pitch an exhibition, contact Paige Vignola at pvignola@mclvt.org or (802) 549-4574.