Join musician and historian Sara Grey for a presentation on a genre of old songs that are rarely sung or talked about from the expansions of railroads across the US. Using some excellent images to coincide with the songs, there will be a focus on many aspects of the west and westward expansion.
Join musician and historian Sara Grey for a presentation on the evolution of old songs and ballads. They often are more akin to the old songs from the British Isles as they migrated into these regions first and did not lose their characteristics as much as they did when they migrated further south.
Join musician and historian Sara Grey for a presentation will on showing the changes that occur when old songs migrated into various regions of Canada and the United States from Great Britain.
Join award-winning cartoonist Marek Bennett for a behind-the-scenes look at comics & graphic novels drawn from historical primary sources.
In this lively, hands-on presentation, participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of cartooning as both an art form and a communication tool. Drawing on the past, present, and future of the medium, the session expands how we think about comics—not just as entertainment, but as a flexible language capable of conveying complex ideas with clarity and emotional impact. No prior drawing experience required!
What does it take to turn a creative spark into something sustainable—and maybe even life-changing? In this engaging and practical talk, collage artist and creative entrepreneur Michael Sjostedt shares how his creative side hustles evolved over the years, helping him navigate economic downturns and career transitions while building community through art.
“We The People” are invited to learn the history of printing the American Revolution! Join letterpress printer John Vincent in conversation around an old printing press, pull a broadside, and imagine what the Next Revolution could be.
Filmmakers have tackled issues of displacement, discrimination, exploitation, and assimilation in movies like Mississippi Masala (about Indians in the Deep South), The Other Side of Hope (Syrians in Finland) and Dirty Pretty Things (West Africans in London.) Film history expert Rick Winston shares clips from fifteen works that address one of the most pressing issues of our times.
Zines (pronounced “zeen” and short for “fan magazine”) offer an accessible way to share information and perspectives often overlooked by mainstream publishing channels. The self-publishing nature of zines empowers anyone to create and distribute their own content. Katherine Leung speaks about her zine, Canto Cutie, and how it has become a platform for Cantonese artists and writers around the world to publish their work.
Join award-winning cartoonist and educator Marek Bennett for a closer look at the Vermont Reads 2022 book “The Most Costly Journey.” He leads a hands-on demo to show how YOU can cartoon the stories of your own family, neighborhood, and wider world.
Our seasonal “Words in the Woods” program allows Vermonters and visitors to enjoy our state’s natural beauty while listening to and reading literature in the outdoors.
Humanities Camps are filled with reading and writing projects, field trips, and outdoor activities.
We won a 2020 Schwartz Prize for best public humanities programming in the U.S. for Vermont Reads 2019: “March: Book One.”
We supported the Chandler Center for the Arts’ Global Connections Youth Outreach program, which highlights artists from around the world.
Our free public events help bring the power of the humanities to communities across Vermont.
