Arts

Rebuilding and rebirth

Whetstone Studio for the Arts reopens with celebration

BRATTLEBORO — Just over one year from the day that the raging waters of the Whetstone Brook almost destroyed the Whetstone Studio for the Arts, a three-day celebration will honor the restoration and reopening of the building that was almost destroyed by Tropical Storm Irene.

The artist studio space at 28 Williams St. will feature studio tours, artists' demonstrations, music, meditation, massage, and refreshments that take place on Friday through Sunday, Sept. 7, 8, and 9.

Arts and demos

Whetstone artists will be available:

• Building owner David D. Parker specializes in 18th and 19th-century barns and houses.

• Twin Vixen Press, co-owned by Helen O'Donnell and Briony Morrow-Cribbs, is “an etching studio collective offering classes in intaglio etching and providing press time and studio rental to printmaking artists,” according to a press release for the event.

Marlboro-based botanical illustrator Bobbi Angell will offer printing demonstrations on Sunday. Angell will display her artwork for sale during Gallery Walk on Friday and on Sunday.

• Kim Timlege of The Massage Studio offers a variety of massage and therapeutical techniques, including cancer/oncology massage, deep tissue massage, hot stone therapy, movement education, myofascial massage and release, pregnancy massage, sports massage, Swedish massage, and trigger-point therapy.

• Eli Burke, a licensed social worker and expressive arts therapist, offers individual and group therapy for adults, children, and families.

Timlege and Burke will offer a healing arts table on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m.

• Frabjous Fibers offers “exotic handspun yarns from women's cooperatives, creative kits, patterns, hand-dyed wool top, felt needles cases, and paper goods” imported directly from Nepal and India, according to its website (www.frabjousfibers.com).

Co-owner Stephanie Shiman will offer an open studio during Gallery Walk and a fiber art demo on Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.

• Shambhala Meditation Group of Brattleboro will feature a display of wax and wick medium sculptures by Philip Hamm (www.philiphammartist.com) in its third-floor gallery.

Shambhala, coordinated by Martha Hamm, will offer an open studio on Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., with information and individual or small-group meditation instruction available to all.

Sitting and walking meditation sessions will be available through the weekend. More information is available at thewhetstonestudioforthearts.tumblr.com.

• Sage Feldman will sell original oils of her trip to India and Greence this past spring, as well as her cards. Feldman is responsible for the bamboo murals on the Whetstone Arts building.

• Naomi Goldie (naomigoldie.tumblr.com) offers original oils of Vermont, New York City, Coney Island, the Lower East Side, drag queens, and other subjects.

Goldie will over a live-art demo each day from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will display her art and sell prints outside all three days, weather permitting.

• James Serry has created what event organizers describe as a “fairy-tale maze of building materials and stone fence” in the form of the ancient Gallic stone masonry around the remodeled building.

• Rosie Schulick offers Rosie's Wonders: handwovens, whimsical cards, and beaded jewelry.

Music

Singer/songwriter Colby Dix of West Dover will kick off the musical entertainment at 6:30 p.m. on Friday night. Opening for Dix: Phoenix Lavender and Tall People at 5 p.m.

Sunny Lowdown and His Electric Blues Band will perform on Saturday from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., while DJ Pocket will perform on Sunday from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

For more information, visit on the studio's Tumblr site (thewhetstonestudioforthearts.tumblr.com).

Subscribe to the newsletter for weekly updates