Governor Shumlin attended the opening of the Under the Big Top: The Fine Art of Circus in America at the Fleming Museum at the University of Vermont in Burlington. Toni Lee and Anne Marie, my artist friends, attended. Toni Lee does circus art. Anne Marie does textiles and textures. I do portraits. The Governor wants to be the next Art Governor, a title that had to be suspended during the reign of Douglas.
How cool. Not only attending a classical, but novel show, he actually wants to promote arts. My friend and fellow photographer Ida Gatewood came. She and I be old. We work very hard on our art. She audits Allison Redlich’s photojournalism course at Champlain College, she takes a photo course at CCV and has a Burlington College mentor. I expect great images from her.
The Governor had me for a while, until he said that he wanted all kids to have access to art. I sidled up to him after his remarks and suggested that older people would also appreciate some support. After all, why should the money for arts, as meagre as it may be go to kids and not older people, especially since we have less time to create our works and develop our skills.
President Fogel talked, too, promoting art in general and the circus art of Toni Lee Sangastiano, a Champlain College Professor who has taught me type and illustration. A gifted artist, she love paper, in addition to color.
Janie Cohn, the museum’s director, seemed please with the turnout and the show. After all, who doesn’t like a circus?
