Community Day kicks off an exciting new season at the Museum. On opening day, Saturday, May 10, admission will be free for all. Come experience inspiring new exhibitions and visit the beloved galleries, buildings, and gardens that make Shelburne Museum a place like no other.
Highlights include:
Gallery Tours
Sound, Art, & Ink: Higher Ground Gig Posters, Colgate Gallery, Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education
Curators Kory Rogers and Carolyn Bauer take you on a creative journey exploring 27 years of gig posters memorializing Vermont’s vibrant music scene. See how collaboration transformed fleeting moments into enduring works of art that evoke nostalgia and celebrate the interplay of sound, community, and design. Limited to first 25 participants.
The Possibilities of Pattern: Dahlov Ipcar, The Dana-Spencer Textile Galleries at Hat and Fragrance
Explore the whimsical creativity of Dahlov Ipcar’s needlepoints, hooked rugs, soft sculptures, and more with Curator Katie Wood-Kirchoff as your guide. Engage with what’s in the gallery and Ipcar’s world beyond during this dynamic tour. Limited to first 20 participants.
Crazy Quilts, The Dana-Spencer Textile Galleries at Hat and Fragrance
Curious about quilts? Let Curator Katie Wood Kirchoff share knowledge, insight, and artistic and historical context about the quilts on view and the broader Museum quilt collection. Limited to first 20 participants.
Live Music: Throughout the day, musicians will perform in a variety of genres. Take in an entire set or let this joyous soundtrack harmonize with the sounds of spring as you cross the campus.
Whimsical Storytime: Families and story-lovers of all ages, join us in Shaker Shed as we read a whimsical selection of books exploring themes of animals, nature, adventure, creativity, and wonder.
Drop-In Art Making: All ages and abilities are invited to make art inspired by special exhibitions. We’ll bring the supplies; you bring the creativity and curiosity!
Create Your Own Gig Posters – Join Shelburne Museum educators in the Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education classroom to create your own concert or band poster, inspired by the Sound, Art, & Ink: Higher Ground Gig Posters exhibition. With a variety of drawing materials, stamps, and stencils available, artists of all ages and skill levels can bring their vision to life. Feature your favorite band in your poster or let a band name generator spark your imagination with something totally new. We’ll also share design tips and tricks to help your poster stand out in any crowd.
Blue & White Explorations – Drop-in to Owl Cottage to explore the possibilities of blue and white. Inspired by Blueprint of a Collection: Cyanotype Photography by David Sokosh, this open-ended art experience invites you to experiment with just two colors and discover the endless possibilities they hold. With support from Shelburne Museum educators, participants of all ages can explore collage, drawing, and/or pattern using only blue and white materials. Come play, explore, and stretch your creative muscles—you never know what might emerge from the simplicity of two colors!
Free admission.
