VT’s Mad River Valley: Home to World-Class Art Galleries & Museums
Yes, the riotous, colorful leaves are a big attraction of a Vermont autumn, but they’re certainly not the only one. Here in the Mad River Valley, we’ve also got some fantastic grassroots art galleries and museums.
Three cases in point: the Bundy Modern, the Walker Contemporary Gallery, and the Madsonian Museum of Industrial Design, all in and around the village of Waitsfield.
The Bundy Modern
The Bundy Modern occupies an eye-catching renovated mid-century modern building set along a pond in lovely woods south of Waitsfield. The gallery features a wide range of multimedia modern art, from the outdoor sculptures that welcome you to the grounds to always-engaging featured exhibitions within. And hey: There’s an impressive collection of classic motorcycles housed here, to boot.
From October 1 through 23, the Bundy Modern will be presenting “The Female Eye,” which spotlights the oil paintings of Vermont artist Candy Barr as well as Greta Anderson’s prints and Marjorie Kaye’s sculptures.
Check out the Bundy Modern on Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 5 PM.
The Walker Contemporary Gallery
Vermont native Stephanie Walker established the highly regarded Walker in 2007 after years running galleries in Boston. You’ve still got some time to take in the Walker’s current exhibition, “What Have We Done,” which runs till October 15. This series features five artists “grappling with the often precarious human versus nature relationship,” according to the gallery. And there’s a Vermonter among the “What Have We Done” contributors: Charlotte Potter.
The Walker Contemporary Gallery is open 11 AM to 5:30 PM Tuesday through Saturday.
The Madsonian Museum of Industrial Design
Founded by Warren architect-designer David Sellers (the architect behind The Pitcher Inn), the Madsonian Museum of Industrial Design shows off the creativity and artistry with which manufacturers have produced everyday objects—from kitchen appliances to automobiles—over the decades. There are some legendary designers and artisans represented at the Madsonian, among them Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Gehry.
Later this fall, be sure to check out the Madsonian for “Toys,” an all-ages exhibit presenting the museum’s fabulous inventory of vintage playthings.
The Madsonian Museum of Industrial Design is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12 to 4 PM.
So when you come stay with us here at The Pitcher Inn, by all means indulge in some of the planet’s finest “leaf-peeping.” But don’t forget about the Mad River Valley’s cultural offerings, which make the perfect complement to the kaleidoscope of our Green Mountain forests. From old-school toys and vintage motorcycles to thought-provoking paintings, the museums and galleries of Waitsfield—just a few miles from us here in Warren—are most definitely worth a visit.