Dear MSA friends and supporters,

In 2022, a fitting metaphor for MSA’s rebirth was expressed in the springtime 12-person group show, Emergence, featuring an enormous phoenix puppet. That puppet went on to walk in MSA’s Fourth of July parade entry, accompanied by a large troupe of dancers in 1920s costumes doing the Charleston. Characters from the upcoming summer show, The Books of Alice and Wonderland, joined in. MSA took the parade's first place trophy!

Liz Rogers and Eugene Friesen opened the concert season to a cheering, grateful audience. Summer performing arts included Wild Goose Players’ Hamlet, The Books of Alice, Carrie Ferguson and the Grumpytime Club, Trois Amis, the Play Every Town Piano Concert, along with gallery shows of charcoal artist Ailyn Houey, the Vermont Watercolor Society and the Canal Street Gallery Represented Artist Show.

The enthralling vocal quartet Windborne kicked off the fall season with a smashing a cappella concert; this was followed by the classical trio Arioso, featuring medieval curses set to music by Saxtons River composer Carol Wood. Resident performing artist Sean Roberts premiered his new commedia dell’arte troupe in Fools’ Comedy. Inclusive Arts Vermont brought its traveling art exhibit, Masked, to MSA’s gallery showcasing work by artists with disabilities. Jo Watko’s Material Memories ceramic show finishes out the gallery season and Yulefest, the holiday celebration held in conjunction with other community organizations was a huge hit! (See pics here.)

All the while, MSA visual and performing arts classes have been serving many parts of our community:

• Swing and Tango dance classes led by Matt Peake;
• Feldenkrais workshops led by Paris Kern;
• "Painting Can Save Your Life" talk and workshop led by Sara Woster;
• Saxtons River Elementary after-school drama classes led by Trish Roberts;
• Outburst Arts monthly teen program led by Sam Maskell.

As we say goodbye to 2022, huge thanks to the teachers, artists, performers, board members, volunteers, partners, donors, and all who make Main Street Arts possible. May the arts bring joy through all the dark nights of winter.

With gratitude,

Susan Still, MSA Board Chair

The holiday spirit shines brightly at Yulefest

Final Presentation on 37 Main Set for December 15

Saxtons River hosts the final presentation about 37 Main Street on Thursday, December 15 at 6:30 PM. A municipal planning grant submitted by Rockingham has provided a rich three-month discussion of revitalization and economic development for the old building and the west end of Main Street. Main Street Arts Board Chair Susan Still will begin the evening with MSA board plans for 37 Main. The UMass consulting team will review three options for the old Tenney’s Hardware/ Dish. Come and ask questions in person or watch the FACT TV livestream.

The three community-proposed uses include fire station, green space and mixed commercial/residential construction. Each use will be outlined with feasible action steps. The UMass team will deliver a full written report to the Saxtons River trustees later in December, itemizing the choices, maps and ideas contributed during the discussions this fall and winter.

Discussion of "Through Cern's Eyes" coming up

Interested in being a part of Main Street Arts upcoming production of Through Cern's Eyes? MSA will host a Q+A about the production on Tuesday, December 13th, from 6:30-8:30 pm. This is a great time for interested actors, techies and patrons of Main Street Arts to hear what this production is about. The writer, Sean Roberts, will be reading a few pieces from the play to give all a feel for the show. Come, meet the key players, ask questions, and discuss the messaging within the show.

"Through Cern's Eyes" is a modern fairytale about a young girl named Erika who finds her way into a magical world and attempts to help a spirit called Cern battle a dark force called The Appetence. The production is for middle school and older youth and adults. The play can have a cast of 30+ and all who commit to the timeline will receive roles. The performances will be April 27, 28, 29 & 30. More about the production here.

Please make an end-of-year gift in support of MSA!

You may have noticed that MSA is doing a lot more this year.

That means that our expenses are higher. To keep our tuitions and tickets affordable, we rely on the generosity of community members. Our budget for individual and business donations this year is $50,000. That’s a lot of a small community to come up with.

Our good news is that we’ve already secured half of our goal. An anonymous donor provided a $20,000 challenge. Then we challenged our board to pledge another $5,000—and they did! Now we are asking community members to match this with another $25,000.



Annual Fund GOAL = $50,000

Challenge Donations secured = $25,000

We need you to help us raise another $25,000

You can give online at mainstreetarts.org, or send a check to MSA, PO Box 100, Saxtons River, VT 05154. Every gift is deeply appreciated.

Other Community Events

Bellows Falls Downtown Development Alliance Presents the Second Annual Bellows Falls Parade of Lights

Saturday, December 10 at 5 pm. Downtown Bellows Falls, Vermont

STAY CONNECTED!