Community Day kicks off an exciting new season at the Museum. Come experience inspiring new exhibitions and visit the beloved galleries, buildings, and gardens that make Shelburne Museum a place like no other. Throughout the day there will be gallery talks, artmaking, g......More
Community Day kicks off an exciting new season at the Museum. Come experience inspiring new exhibitions and visit the beloved galleries, buildings, and gardens that make Shelburne Museum a place like no other. Throughout the day there will be gallery talks, artmaking, games, and activities. Free. Community Day ActivitiesClick below for a downloadable, printable one-sheet with an outline of the day’s activities! DOWNLOAD Vermont Community Foundation Activities “Neighbors, Not Strangers” Conversations10:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m. | Electra Havemeyer Webb Memorial Building (Map G6) and Railroad Station (Map A7)This is a space to slow down and connect, something we don’t always make time for but often appreciate when we do. Using a set of thoughtfully designed prompt cards, you’re invited to spark a new connection, share a story, or simply enjoy a moment of being “present” with someone else. It’s a small reminder that conversation is at the heart of a strong community. Pull up a chair, pick a card, and begin. Led by our Community Day sponsors, Vermont Community Foundation, who invite you to “join us for a conversation worth having—because it’s with you!” Seed Share and Garden Q&A10:00 a.m. –1:00 p.m. | Shaker Shed (Map G1)Bring your own seeds to trade or gather some seeds for your garden. As a small celebration of what we can cultivate together, a pollinator-friendly mix of High Mowing Organic Seeds is being offered by Community Day sponsor Vermont Community Foundation, who reminds us: “Healthy gardens, like strong communities, are rooted in diversity, connection, and care. As your flowers take shape, we hope they offer a moment of beauty and a reminder of the shared effort it takes to help our communities thrive.” Mike Ingalls, Landscape & Gardens Manager, and Lexi Colantuno, Horticulturalist, will also be on hand to answer your questions about Shelburne Museum’s gardens and landscape or your own home plots! Drop-In ArtmakingAll ages and abilities are invited to make art inspired by our grounds, special exhibitions, and community. We’ll bring the supplies you bring the creativity and curiosity! Drop in any time during the sessions to create with us. Felt a Community Garden10:00 a.m –1:00 p.m. | Bostwick Garden (Map F5) (Rain location: Round Barn Lower Level, Map E9)Explore needle felting and felt collage as you help create canvases full of vibrant textile flowers. Artist Tina Logan guides visitors of all ages in this community art project. Add to the shared garden and make some flowers to take with you! Play with Portraits10:30 a.m.– 12:00p.m.and 1:00–2:30 p.m. | Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education, Classroom (Map H8)Get creative with portraits from the exhibition Varied and Alive: New and Rarely Seen Treasures from the Collection. We’re pulling a selection of human and cat faces straight from the exhibition and handing the rest over to you. With drawing materials and collage supplies at your fingertips, complete the portrait in whatever wild, weird, or wonderful way you see fit. Artists of all ages and abilities are welcome! Drawing Your Community and Community Loom10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Owl CottageChildren’s Activity Center (Map D5)Community starts here! Share what community means to you through a self-guided drawing activity—then add it to our growing display in Owl Cottage or bring it home to remember your day at the Museum. While you’re here, stop by the Community Loom and weave your mark into a collective creation that grows with every visitor. The more, the merrier! Let’s Make Dandelion Magi2:00–4:00 p.m. | Lighthouse (Map E6) (weather permitting)Pick a bouquet of bright yellow sunshine. Wrap it in ribbon. Make a flower crown. Sculpt your dandelion into whimsical shapes. Guided ToursPrentis and Stencil Houses10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. | Tours begin at Prentis House (Map F5)Join one of our expert Visitor Guides to explore how the interiors of these historic homes, built around the turn of the 18th century, were reinterpreted in the mid-20th century. Each tour will last approximately 45 minutes. Limited to first 25 participants. Please note that Prentis and Stencil Houses are only open today during these tours. Steamboat Ticonderoga11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. | Steamboat Ticonderoga (Map C6)Travel from the boiler room up to the pilothouse as one of our expert Visitor Guides tells you about life on a 220-foot steamboat. Each tour will last approximately 45 minutes. Limited to the first 25 participants. Missed the tour? Visitor Guides will be on the boat all day to answer your questions. Varied & Alive: New and Rarely Seen Treasures from the Collection10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.| Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education, Colgate Gallery(Map H8)Join Kory Rogers, Francie and John Downing Senior Curator of American Art, to explore this curatorial tour de force. Items on view include folk art paintings, circus posters, porcelain, textiles, toys, and trade signs—some beloved favorites, others not seen in decades. Each tour will last approximately 30 minutes. Limited to the first 15 participants. On Point: Needlework from the Garthwaite Family Collection11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. | The Dana-Spencer Textile Galleries at Hat and Fragrance (Map H1)Katie Wood Kirchhoff, Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen Curator of American Decorative Arts, shares these extraordinary examples of schoolgirl artworks made in Vermont, ranging from samplers, silk-on-silk embroideries, and sewing boxes to memorials, family registers, theorem paintings, and more. Each tour will last approximately 30 minutes. Limited to the first 15 participants. Carl D’Alvia: (mono)LITHS1:00 p.m. | Tour starts at the General Store (Map E4)Carl D’Alvia’s brightly colored aluminum sculptures bring a sense of play and whimsy to Shelburne Museum’s expansive grounds. Carolyn Bauer, Marna and Chuck Davis Curator of American Art, shares insights into D’Alvia’s animated shapes and how they engage in playful dialogue with the Museum’s historic architecture, gardens, and collections. The tour will last approximately 30 minutes and will take place on the lawn. Live MusicThroughout the day, musicians will perform in a variety of genres. Take in an entire set or let this joyous soundtrack harmonize with the sounds of spring as you cross the campus. Owen Leavey, Piano & Song11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. | Weathervane Café Patio (Map D4) (Rain location: inside Café, Map D4)Owen Leavey is a seasoned pianist and vocalist who has been performing in the Burlington area for years. Known for soulful, contemporary takes on classic songs, Owen’s performances offer a heartfelt and engaging musical experience. Each performance will last approximately 45 minutes. Déjà–Nous, French–American Fusion12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. | Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education Patio (Map H8) (Rain location: Pizzagalli Center Auditorium, Map H8)Déjà-Nous has entertained audiences since 2002 with a blend of Jazz, Swing, Tango, Cabaret and Cajun music. Vibrant music from France and the USA. La vie est belle! Each performance will last approximately 60 minutes. Marie Hamilton, Harp & Song1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. | Webb Gallery (Map H5)Marie Hamilton is a harpist and vocalist originally from Vermont and equally at home in Montréal. Her work is shaped by a love for music that connects, heals, and inspires, as well as a desire to gently challenge and transcend the traditional perception of the harp. Each performance will last approximately 45 minutes. Other Fun Things to DoOwl Cottage Children’s Activity Center (Map D5)10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Enjoy children’s books, artmaking supplies, and toys—including a Rigamajig! Ride the Carousel—Circus Building Lawn Open from 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (Map B9)Take a spin on your favorite animal. (Closed from 10:00–11:00 a.m. and 3:00–5:00 p.m. Thank you for understanding that the number of riders will be limited at any given time to help preserve our historic carousel.) Stay and Play: Lawn Games10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Meadow (Map F8), Weathervane Café (Map D4), and various locations across the grounds. (Rain Location: Round Barn Basement Lower Level, Map E9.) Come have some fun while playing Beanbag Toss, Ladder Ball, Giant Stacking Blocks, or Giant Four-In-A-Row! Blacksmith Demonstrations10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. closed for a 45-minute lunch break | Blacksmith Shop (Map C3). Marvel as our blacksmiths forge metal with fire. Printing Demonstrations—Print Shop (Map E1). See historic printing presses in action! 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. closed for a 45-minute lunch break. Today only: First-time Members receive a 20% discount when joining in person! Chat with our Membership team about the benefits of Shelburne Museum Membership — Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education Lobby (Map H8). Perks include unlimited free Museum admission during our regular season, discounts at the Museum Store and Café, our newsletter, invitations to Members-only programs, early access to Winter Lights tickets, and free or reduced admission to lectures, gallery talks, yoga, and more! Memberships of $100+ include reciprocal benefits to 1,500+ museums across North America. Community Day is generously supported by the Vermont Community Foundation and an anonymous foundation, with additional support from our Members and donors to the Annual Fund.
Museum Grounds, PCAE auditorium
