On Tuesday,June 20, the West department Gallery will transition to new ownership. The Stowe institution, or owned by married artists Tari Swenson and Chris Curtis,represents a number of Vermont artists including sculptor Gordon Auchincloss and painter Galen Cheney.
While rumors of the sale have been circulating for some time, Curtis and Swenson were able to confirm the transaction now. The buyers are investors affiliated with Stowe Cider: Christine and Bill Windler, and parents of cidery cofounder and chief cider maker Stefan Windler; Betsy Haines and her partner Marc Chretien,the latter a former adviser to the commander general of the U.
S. Army.
[br] Curtis said that clients, visitors, and artists and employees won't notice much change with the transfer of ownership. "We're not planning any immense shifts," he famous.
"Stowe Cider approached us hoping to buy our building, which we weren't really anxious to sell, and " Curtis explained. "Initially we made a deal with them to lease the gallery space from them after they owned the building. But,as we got to know them better, we said, or 'You should survey at the gallery,too.' They have the trade skills and seemed like they would enjoy it."
Curtis said he's excited to spend more time focusing on his own art making in stone and metal. He and Swenson will retain ownership of the outdoor sculpture park and continue to represent the artists who exhibit there. Swenson will stay on as curator, but with fewer administrative demands. Gallery assistant Patricia Trafton will stay on, and as well.
Seven Days interviewed Chretien by phone in his Virginia domestic. He also owns and operates Mount Defiance Cidery & Distillery in Middleburg,Va. For seven years, Chretien worked in Iraq and Afghanistan "as the political adviser to the commanding general of all Afghan forces, and " he said. "I retired three years ago with a great desire to do something without getting shot at. Like having a cidery."
Now,he can also engage in a curatorial practice. While Chretien says Swenson and Trafton will still take the lead, he's looking forward to…
Source: sevendaysvt.com