VERGENNES — While the snow is piling up around us, it’s nice to look ahead to spring. Creative Space Gallery in Vergennes will open “Nature in Flight” on Friday, Feb. 22 — yes, that’s still winter, but the show will remain on view through May 11 (definitely spring).
This exhibit will showcase works inspired by birds, butterflies, insects and other airborne creatures. The sky is the limit.
Some of the artists featured include batik prayer flags of birds created by Alison Parsons of Ferrisburgh, and ceramics decorated with butterflies and bees by Kileh Friedman of Burlington. Works by gallery artists include paintings of birds by silversmith Kathy Mitchell of Panton, and pastels of birds and butterflies by Marsha Chase of Panton. Karen Emerson of Rutland, whose beeswax candles are sold at Creative Space Gallery, dedicates a percentage of the proceeds to the Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary. Annemie Curlin from Charlotte will be showing “Feast of Losses,” an evocative, mythic piece which includes both extinct and endangered species. Georgia Heise of Vergennes will have a couple hats on display, buzzing with bees.
The gallery will also feature work by guest artist and author Phoebe Stone of Middlebury, who says, “Being a Phoebe bird I have a huge commitment to birds — butterflies and bees are also everywhere in my artwork.” Stone has a meadow nesting site for bobolinks.
The featured image for the exhibition is “Murmuration,” by Meg Walker of Charlotte (oil pastel and acrylic). Walker is also a sculptor, and “very  interested in how one creates the sense of flying with static materials, and the essence of ‘birdness’ with minimal amounts of materials and gestures.”
In addition to showcasing wonderful work by contemporary Vermont artists, this exhibition is intended to draw attention to the plight of many species of birds and insects, and the ways in which people are working toward solutions. This may be done through programs that are offered during the exhibition, or by artists choosing to donate proceeds from the sale of one or more works in the show to an organization of their choice.
An opening reception with a wine tasting will kick off the exhibit on Friday, Feb. 22, from 5-8 p.m.