Bennington Center for the Arts
Bennington VT
2014

https://www.benningtonmoosefest.com/

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/vermont/arts-center-vt/

The Bennington Center for the Arts is a full spectrum visual and performing arts complex located in the beautiful southwest corner of Vermont. Founded and built by local philanthropists Bruce Laumeister and Elizabeth Small in 1994, the Arts Center is home to seven fine art galleries, two large instruction spaces, a concert series, Oldcastle Theatre Company, and the country's only Museum of the Covered Bridge. The mission of the Bennington Center for the Arts is to offer access to world-class artists from all disciplines to residents and visitors in the tri-state area. With a focus on representational and wildlife art, the Center is home to an exceptional collection of the works of the late, great painter Eric Sloane as well as the single largest collection of bird carvings by world champion carver Floyd Scholz. An extensive collection of Native American art and artifacts, a mesmerizing wind-sculpture forest, and workshops in fine art make the Bennington Center for the Arts a rich cultural resource and a 'must see' when in Bennington.

Bennington residents consider the painted and decorated moose sculptures as our "in town" Ambassadors of Friendship. The colorful moose are on the streets greeting guests from near and far.

How did all this begin? In 2005 two citizens from Bennington (Cheryl Wehrspaun and Sue Kline) were taking a day trip upstate, and came upon Brandon's beautiful street art of grand and glorious painted pigs. The local folks were having a wonderful time, as well as the visitors to the town. Cheryl and Sue presented the idea of street art to the Chamber of Commerce. They suggested Bennington should have moose, because as Cheryl said, "There is a mama moose that comes down from Mount Anthony to our little farm at least once a year." Everyone agreed. What better representative for Bennington and the state of Vermont than the noble moose? Like Vermonters everywhere, he is friendly, but not in your face. He tends to mind his own business, but is there to help his friends and family when needed. He is a good neighbor, and enjoys greeting people from time to time.