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MONTPELIER, VT—The luminous glasswork of Hartland, VT artist Dan Gottsegen promises to bring the John Zampieri State Office Building to life when his publicly commissioned artwork is installed at the downtown Burlington building.
Gottsegen’s preliminary design was the winning concept proposal for the commission for the Vermont Departments of Health and Children and Families, which is located in the building.
The commission is part of the Art in State Buildings Program, 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 be selected each year.
Gottsegen proposes installing a variety of colorful glass panels to greet visitors to the building with an aim to be “engaging, entertaining, delightful from afar” and pique interest upon closer inspection. Some of the panels will incorporate imagery relating to the broad scope of the work of the Department for Children and Families as well as the important work of the Department of Health that takes place in the building.
A nationally exhibited artist, Gottsegen has completed a number of large-scale public art projects including windscreens for the Westminster, CO station on the light rail line from Denver to Boulder; the South Burlington, VT City Center Gateway; Inside and Out, A Public Art Plan for Dartmouth Medical Center; and the Vermont State Forensics Lab, a piece which combines Gottsegen’s painting, a public garden and outside glass work.
“Public art makes our shared community spaces more vibrant and connects us all through the built environment. Dan’s art brings light and color to a downtown office building, providing warmth and welcome,” said Sen. Alison Clarkson who represents Hartland, which is in the Windsor District.
Gottsegen was one of four finalists in the competition, which will award $43,000 for the permanent public art. A committee comprised of selected building employees, community members, and visual arts experts chose Gottsegen following a process of public input about the final design proposals, which took place in the fall.
The outside of the building is scheduled to undergo some renovation, and Gottsegen will work with stakeholders and community members to gather input on the imagery and to develop a final design that integrates the concept into the planned changes at the site.
Located on the edge of the downtown business area and the Old North End, the Zampieri building houses the Vermont Department of Health administrative offices, statewide program staff, the Burlington Local Health office, and the Board of Medical Practice as well as the Economic Services Office of the Vermont Department for Children and Families.
Another public art commission is also underway for a new residential recovery facility currently under construction in Essex for the Vermont Department of Mental Health. A presentation of preliminary design concepts will take place in February.
For more information on the Art in State Buildings program or other public art projects, visit https://www.vermontartscouncil.org/programs/public-art.
About the Vermont Arts Council
The Vermont Arts Council envisions a Vermont where all people have access to the arts and creativity in their lives, education, and communities. Engagement with the arts transforms individuals, connects us more deeply to each other, energizes the economy, and sustains the vibrant cultural landscape that makes Vermont a great place to live. Since 1965, the Council has been the state's primary provider of funding, advocacy, and information for the arts in Vermont. Learn more at vermontartscouncil.org
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