Like many Vermonters, Karen Mittelman enjoys kayaking on the Battenkill, skiing, and hiking. And, like many Vermonters, she is passionate about the power of the arts and humanities to transform individual lives and reinvigorate communities. Now, Karen is on her way to becoming a Vermonter as she prepares to take the helm at the Vermont Arts Council in October.

Karen has more than 30 years of experience in the public sector and the federal cultural arena. She is currently director of public programs at the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Prior to joining the NEH in 1998, Karen held a senior position at the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia, and served as curator at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.


Join us in welcoming Karen to the Council and to our Green Mountain State.

Read more about Karen here.

Alice Claflin has joined the Arts Council as director of finance. She has worked for brokerage firms, an independent film company, banks, and small nonprofits. Most recently, Alice was a consultant serving the boards and staff of small and mid-sized organizations to strengthen financial management and reporting practices.

Alice is responsible for the organization's day-to-day financial operation and leads all fiscal administration, business planning, and budgeting. Welcome Alice!

Artists have been selected to produce works of public art at two state sites. Sean Williams, a second-generation granite sculptor based in Barre, will carve a granite sculpture for the Roxbury Fish Culture Station. Braintree sculptor Karen Petersen will create a Morgan horse cast in bronze for the Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center.

Both artists presented their proposals to Project Review Committees comprising employees, community members, and visual arts experts. They will now work with the committees to develop a final design for each site.

	Karen Petersen's design was selected for the Veteran's Memorial Cemetery.

The Art in State Buildings Program is a partnership between the Vermont Arts Council and the Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services. Funded by the Art in State Buildings Act, the program allows up to two capital construction projects to be selected each year. Find more information on the Art in State Buildings program.

Vermont's green hills and early sunrises call to us on summer days. First they command, "Get out here!" Then they whisper, "There's art."

You might want to include a dance festival, paint plein air, or find the unexpected. There is a way to do it. We hope this week's featured story, " An Art-Packed Summer Day" inspires you to make a perfect day of your own.