ART NOW Stowe’s The Current reengages the community through contemporary art

ART

NOW

A NONPROFIT ART CENTER FOCUSED ON CONTEMPORARY ART, THE CURRENT IS COMMITTED TO FOSTERING AN INCLUSIVE, DIVERSE AND RESPECTFUL CULTURE.

Perhaps now more than ever, we humans need the stimulation and inspiration that exposure to art can provide. Having spent the past year and a half without much access to community, other than through a screen, the reopening of exhibitions and reinstating of education classes at Stowe’s The Current, formerly known as the Helen Day Art Center, has offered a much-needed gathering spot for locals and visitors alike. We caught up with Executive Director Rachel Moore, who has been with the center for almost 12 years and is a Fulbright Fellow, to find out what’s in store for The Current this winter season, including the upcoming exhibition by Catherine Opie.

UPCOMING EXHIBITION

Award-winning photographer Catherine Opie’s work (at left) in this upcoming exhibition focuses on climate change. Largescale photographs of swamps, national parks and other out-of-focus iconic landscapes are both gorgeous documentations and a quiet plea for environmental preservation. The three series that will be represented in the show, in dialogue with each other, are abstract landscape series, swamp series and Yosemite falls.

What drives The Current?

The art center is driven by an ambitious curatorial vision shaped by the pursuit of meaning in contemporary art. Our programs consider how the arts can be a platform for activism, responding to contemporary issues facing artists and audiences, offering outlets for creative dialogue and critical examination of our social, cultural and political moment. We strive to amplify underrepresented voices and urgent issues through our programs. We work to ensure that our curatorial platform is responsive and flexible to artists. We are committed to supporting and serving diverse emergent careers, ideas and projects, alongside unique, relevant opportunities for more internationally established and renowned artists.

Who would you say is The Current’s core audience?

We have people from all over the world who visit our galleries and have strong support from residents of Stowe who engage in our education programs and our exhibition events.

How do you source your artists?

I have strong relationships with artists, galleries, and museums here and abroad. Depending on if the artist is established or emerging, I might work directly with them or through their gallery.

Education is a big component of The Current. What sorts of programs do you offer?

Each year, professional artists and art educators teach over 50 classes and workshops, emphasizing progressive art education. From intensive summer art camps to afterschool classes, our education program has a broad reach, engaging 571 children, youth and adults in a variety of media and activities. Youth classes such as animation, graphic novel illustration, pottery, glass, printmaking, digital photography and claymation are just a few examples of the variety offered. Adults enjoy a wide variety of workshops for the beginner and the seasoned artist, including a Sumi ink workshop, introduction to oils, watercolor, stained glass, ceramics, printmaking and so much more. Scholarships ensure that classes are open to all who wish to participate.

How do you stay connected to the community beyond your onsite offerings?

Our public outreach benefits all with programs such as a multischool-wide student art show, seasonal festivities and pop-up art events that help make the arts a vital part of our community.

What has you especially jazzed about the 2022 season?

Catherine Opie’s exhibition; our outdoor annual sculpture exhibition, Exposed; and our expanded studio offerings for artists and youth and adult students. We have expansive public programs bringing in presenters from both here and farther afield. Recently we had an excellent talk with artist Meleko Mokgosi and MoMA curator Ugochukwu-Smooth C. Nzewi.

Where is your favorite place to go solo in Stowe?

I love going for a run on a dirt road near my house or hiking the Pinnacle. In the winter, I love cross country skiing through quiet woods.

Where is your favorite spot to eat out when friends are visiting in Stowe?

There are so many places, it’s hard to choose. I love Idletyme for outdoor dining, and they have a great outdoor bar. If they have kids I love Piecasso, Sushi Yoshi and Tres Amigos. Cork has excellent food and wine, and Plate has terrific vegetarian offerings. So does Green Goddess for lunch. And there are more, but as you can see, it’s impossible to choose!

LEARN MORE AT www.thecurrentnow.org