Helen Day Art Center facts for kids
| Established | 1981 |
|---|---|
| Location | 90 Pond Street Stowe, Vermont, United States |
| Type | Art Center |
The Helen Day Art Center is a special place in Stowe, Vermont, where you can explore and learn about art. It's a non-profit organization, which means it focuses on helping the community rather than making money. Since it started in 1981, the Center has shown amazing art from artists all over the world and from talented people right here in Vermont.
One cool thing they do is an outdoor sculpture show called "Exposed" every year. Besides seeing art, you can also take art classes there. They have classes for both kids and adults, teaching all sorts of art techniques. The Center also offers guided tours of its exhibits, fun public programs, and a free hands-on room and Art Lounge where you can get creative yourself!
The Story of the Art Center
The Helen Day Art Center was created by two amazing friends, Helen Day Montanari and Dr. Marguerite E. Lichtenthaeler. They both loved their town and wanted to make it a better place.
Dr. Lichtenthaeler was born in Reading, Pennsylvania. She became a doctor in 1916 and helped people for 25 years. In 1940, she moved to Stowe, Vermont, with Helen Day Montanari. She kept helping patients in Stowe until she was 80 years old!
Helen Day Montanari was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She studied Italian at Radcliffe College. She married General Carlo Montanari, who sadly passed away in World War I. After the war, she brought her three children to the United States. She later became ill and was helped by Dr. Lichtenthaeler. They became best friends for life and decided to share a home in Stowe.
These two friends loved to travel and shared many interests. They cared deeply about the quality of life in Stowe. Dr. Lichtenthaeler often spoke up at town meetings, asking for money to support the library. Mrs. Montanari felt the same way. When she passed away, she left $40,000 to help start an art center and a library. Years later, people in Stowe worked together to raise the rest of the money needed for the Stowe Free Library and the Helen Day Art Center.
Important Dates in History
- 1863: The "Village School" building was built. It was designed to match the Stowe Community Church.
- 1955: Helen Day Montanari passed away. She left money to her friend, Dr. Marguerite Lichtenthaeler. They both dreamed of a new Library and Art Center for Stowe.
- 1974: Stowe High School moved to a new building. The old "Village School" was empty. People called it "Old Yeller."
- 1980: The old school building began to be restored. It was going to become The Helen Day Memorial Library and Art Center. It was even added to the National Register of Historic Sites!
- 1981: The Stowe Free Library officially moved into the first floor of the new building. A group of volunteers started planning the Art Center. They held two art exhibits that summer. In December, they had their first official show, "THE FESTIVAL OF THE CHRISTMAS TREES."
- 1982: The Helen Day Art Center officially became a non-profit organization.
- 1994: New parts were added to the building.
