ADDISON COUNTY — Memorial Day weekend is a perfect time for visitors and locals to enjoy the Vermont Craft Council’s Open Studio tours. These free tours take place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 28 and 29,when craftspeople and artists across 11 counties of Vermont will open their studios to the public. Bright yellow “Open Studio” signs are posted along the roads throughout Vermont to guide visitors to each studio. Visitors experience a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the workspaces of glassblowers, quilt makers, sculptors, potters, woodworkers, printmakers, jewelers, furniture makers and painters.
Middlebury artisans open for spring Vermont Open Studio are Mike Mayone, Norma Jean Rollet, Danielle Gori-Montanelli and Danforth Pewter.
Visit the working studio of Vermont fine artist Mike Mayone to explore his award-winning paintings, prints and notecards. Discover his diverse work, from detailed realism to whimsical folk art, beautiful Vermont landscapes to impressive portraits, wildlife art and more. Mayone’s studio is located just north of the intersection of Routes 125 and 116 in East Middlebury at 8 Case St. For more information call 802-388-7401 or visit his website at www.mikemayone.com.
Norma Jean Rollet’s studio will be open for fans of pen-and-ink illustrations, oil and pastel paintings and fine handcut wooden jigsaw puzzles. Norma will be demonstrating her soft pastel techniques and sharing stories of her plein air adventures. Try your hand at piecing together one of her many original art wooden puzzles. Follow the yellow signs to her studio located on Cottage Lane (Village Glenn) just behind People’s United Bank. For more information call 802-989-5607 or visit her website at normajeanrollet.com.
Come and visit the colorful studio of felt artist Danielle Gori-Montanelli. You’ll see her whimsical creations of jewelry, hats and more, all crafted by hand into delightful works of wearable art. You’ll find everything from candy necklaces, pencil collars, brooches that look like real succulents, pretzels, flowers, and even miniature mid-century modern furniture. Learn about her process and tools — from a pair of scissors to a 7-ton-pressure die-cutting machine. Gori-Montanelli’s studio is located in Middlebury, on Fields Road just behind Hannaford’s. For more information, call 802-989-7443 or visit her website at studiodgm.com.
At Danforth Pewter Workshop and Store, visitors will have the opportunity to watch pewter being made. Every piece of Danforth pewter is made by hand in Middlebury. The Danforths are honored to share with visitors the story of their 260-year heritage in American pewter and their wide range of contemporary and classic designs made with the finest lead-free pewter. For more information call 802-388-0098 or visit their website at danforthpewter.com.
Additonal Addison County artisans to visit on Open Studio Weekend:
• The Oxford Rug Hooking School, 4174 Route 30, Cornwall.
• Art on Main, 25 Main St., Bristol.
• Creative Space, 214 Main St., Vergennes.
• Timothy Fisher Gallery, 727 Fisher Road, Cornwall.
• True Water Gallery, Ripton.
The Open Studio Map/Guide is free and available at Vermont welcome centers, galleries throughout the state, and on the Vermont Crafts Council website, vermontcrafts.com. It is easy to plan a tour with the Open Studio map. Visitors will find appealing artwork of all kinds: traditional and contemporary, functional and abstract, minimalist and complex.