A 25 Year Old Dream Come True - a Summer Art Center
for Grand Isle County

Opening July 12, in the little white church on Route 2 in North Hero.Look for the rainbow banner and the beautiful painter's palette sign, designed by Bob Busch of Grand Isle.  We will be open from 10:00 am to 4pm every day except for Tuesdays when we will be open from 2pm to 7pm.

Needed: comfortable sofas and armchairs and a long table with chairs and volunteers who can spare a few hours to help with general operations. Call 372-9333.

Many thanks to Father Lawrence Ridgely of the Island Roman Catholic Parishs, Flora Bell of Grand Isle and David Jacobs of RedStone Realty.

July 12 &13

Open Farms & Studio Tour, throughout Grand Isle County, info (802) 372-4556.

July 16 , July 22

Vermont Mozart Festival, info (802) 862-7352
The Lake House, Grand Isle
St. Anne's Shrine, Isle La Motte

July 17 (Thursday)

VSO Musical Petting Zoo, Island Arts is again pleased to sponsor the popular VSO "Kids Petting Zoo". Performances are this Thursday, July 17 at 9:30 am at Allenholm Farm in South Hero (rain place: South Hero Congregational Church) and at 1:30 at Fisk Farm in Isle La Motte (rain or shine). Admission is free, with any donations benefitting the Island Arts Scholarship Funds.

The beloved event under the skilled direction of "Zookeeper" Rebecca Kopycinski is designed to introduce Vermont's youngest citizens to the joy of music. When all instrument groups have been demonstrated, the kids will be able to line up and have their turn.  At every station where they can meet the brass, string, woodwind and percussion instruments, an assistant patiently changes and cleans mouthpieces and helps hold instruments that are in many cases as large as their players.

Come and hear how very little lungs can get very large sounds from the trombones and tubas.  And what child doesn't want to bang on something as hard as he or she can with total impunity? 

For more information or to volunteer please call Katya Wilcox at 372-5049 or Norma Wales 928-3333

July 25-27

CIAO Art Show, info (802) 372-8216

Aug. 7-9

Island Craft Show, 9:00 am-4:00 pm, Shore Acres Inn, North Hero. On this, the 25th anniversary of Island Arts, the Craft Show event will once again be held in the historic barn at Shore Acres.  The dates are August 7, 8, and 9, with hours from 10 to 4.  The crafters, some of whom were at the first show, are excited to be returning to the lovely grounds.  Light refreshments will be served from 2 to 4 on Thursday.  Weather permitting, there may be outside activities, and Shore Acres will have sandwiches a vailable."

Aug. 8-10

Blue Grass Festival, info: (802) 482-8110

Aug. 14-17

Shakespeare in the Park with workshops for youth, info: (877)874-1911.

Aug. 17 (Sunday)

Vermont Jazz Ensemble, 5:00 pm, The Lake House, Grand Isle. $20/advance; $25/door

Island Arts concludes it 2008 concert season by presenting the 17 member Vermont Jazz Ensemble at the Grand Isle Lake House at 5:00 p.m.on Sunday August 17th.  The concert will be held outside, so come early and picnic on the grounds of this beautiful estate.  The group made its first public appearance at the Vermont YMCA's Camp Abanaki Jazz Weekend, back in 1976, and has been going strong ever since.  They perform instrumental music, most of which is in the "Jazz or Big Band" style although the repertoire includes Latin, rock, and music which is currently in vogue.  Their performance will feature ensemble work, sectional and individuals solos, and improvisation.  A part of the Vermont Council on the Arts Touring Register, they have performed on Vermont Public Radio, at inaugural balls for three Vermont governors, and created many CDs including  "All of Us" and "25 Year in the Moonlight."  One of their most interesting projects was the recording of the soundtrack for a documentary on "Vermonter's in World War II" for Vermont Public Television.   As is Island Arts, VJE is very involved in working with youth and has been closely involved with the All State Music Festival over the years.

Island Arts is proud to present this talented group of musicians and hope many of you will take this opportunity to see them while they are in the Islands.  All proceeds from the concert go to support IA youth scholarships in the area of the creative arts.  Tickets are $25.00 at the door and $20.00 when purchased in advance at Hackett's Orchard and the Green Frog in South Hero, the Chamber of Commerce and Back Chamber in North Hero, the Alburgh Public Library, and the Country Store in Isle La Motte.  For more information on Island Arts visit www.islandarts.org or call 796-3439.  Helping make the concert possible are grants from The Preservation Trust of Vermont, Vermont Council on the Arts, and National Endowment for the Arts.