At the 7th Annual Festival of the Arts on August 8, 2015, 4 members from the community at-large and the business community were selected by lottery to sit on the final interviewing panel for the selection of the artist to perform the painting for The Silo Project.
44 members of the community at-large applied, as did 8 from the business community. 2 from each group were selected by random via a random number generator (random.org) as were 3 alternates from both groups should any of the those selected not be able to fulfill their duties on the panel. The final selected community members will be joined by the five Silo Sisters (the committee at the helm of the Project) for an evening of interviewing the final artists in the running to complete the $15,000 project. The interviews will be held during the evening of August 17th. A final decision will be made shortly thereafter.
Meet the interviewing panel:
COMMUNITY
Eric Ford – Eric is the Communications Director at Burlington City Arts (BCA), where he is responsible for creating marketing campaigns to promote gallery, education and community art programs. Eric’s been with BCA for nearly 10 years. He lives in Westford, just over the town line, with his wife Koi and daughter, Xandra. Eric is involved with the Cambridge Music Festival and has helped other organizations, such as the Cambridge Arts Council and Sundog Poetry Center, with outreach of their programs through his work at BCA. Eric is also the co-Founder of the Vermont Film Society and a board member of the Vermont International Film Festival.
Gail Shea -Gail is a former Art Gallery owner and consultant. She also has years of experience as a woodworker. By combining these two she also made custom frames. She assisted artists who’s work hung at the Fleming Musuem as well as many galleries in NYC. Gail chose and framed art for many public spaces and privately owned homes. Of the public spaces there were colleges, wings of hospitals, restaurants, hotels and doctor’s offices etc. Gail spent ten years working with The Essex Children’s Choir and accompanied them to Carnegie Hall. Gail lives in Jeffersonville with the love of her life Tom Anderson and their two rescue dogs Lily and Ivy.
BUSINESS
Kevin Dobrowolski – Kevin lives in Cambridge with his children – one of which, Brooke, encouraged him to submit his name to the lottery draw. Kevin owns a woodworking/cabinetry business.
Francesca D’Elia – Francesca owns a small jewelry business, which travels to craft shows around the Lamoille County area. Her work is currently on display at the Visions of Vermont Gallery in Jeffersonville. She uses social media as a primary way to promote her work. At 17 years old, Francesca uniquely represents the youth as well; she lives in Cambridge while finishing her last year at Lamoille Union High School.