Fort Can

New painting finished for Free Range art party on Friday

2010-04-26T20:36:00.000-07:00

and you are all invited! I embedded a hand painted silk chiffon scarf, 34x34, within this painting....a challenge to myself to incorporate more of what I do within a painting. 50x40, excites me. What do think? Come see it and others on Friday at 5 and on. Free Range the whole set of studios and have some treats. Fort Can is behind Trading Post on Rt 2 east of Montpelier near Pioneer Bridge. Check out www.colormusings.blogspot.com for more about paintings and me, Maggie Neale.

Free Range Studio Party

2010-04-16T10:52:00.000-07:00

Come check out he work I've been doing at Fort Can for the past few months. Studio party on Friday, April 30, 5-7. Free range through all of Fort Can Studios, visiting with Kelly in her print shop, Sarah and Brian with their art, and me with my wild free range work, various sizes, media, and prices. There might be something just right for you to take home to inspire you for many years.

I'll be hanging my Free Range show in city Center for the month of May. This painting is called "Seat of Contemplation" 40 x 50. This small study is oil on yupo.

Maggie enjoys this Fort Can experience

2010-03-21T08:17:00.000-07:00

I started working at Fort Can in January: such a pleasure to have a space to work which was warm and welcoming during this winter. I could "reach out to magic" as the first painting is titled or have an "Emotional Lean" like the quick paint drawing on paper. I experimented with yupo on many levels like the painting to the right. I could spread my wings and paint some large canvases for my upcoming show in City Center scheduled for May. Paintings which I had started, like Water Music, begun during a jazz improv with Michael Arnowitt, could be exposed to light and gain a more finished layer. It has been a rewarding experience and I look forward to sharing this work painted there in an April exhibit More details to follow.

Water Music 20x20x1.5

spreading the love

2010-02-19T11:12:00.000-08:00

We're all busy-busy in the studio (more pictures coming soon!) but this little 8-1/2 x 11 is making us all a little cheerier. The Phantom has found Fort Can!

puppet cities

2009-12-27T11:19:00.000-08:00

Come celebrate the mysterious and sometimes circus-y delightful world of Delia Robinson's Puppet Cities.

She's been transforming the gallery at Fort Can for the last four months...and we're finally ready to unlock the city gates.

Join us Wednesday, December 30th, from 5-7 pm. Prepare to be astounded!

one year older!

2009-08-20T14:10:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that it's been a year already...but here we are!
Please join us on Friday, August 28 to mark a few milestones: our one-year anniversary, yes, but also the closing of Sara Grace's tenure as our artist-in-residence, and (drum roll, please) welcoming her to the studio as our newest permanent member!

sara grace...

2009-08-10T16:37:00.000-07:00

Our artist-in-residence is a busy woman. She's a very talented musician--played five shows last week(!)--and still finds time to paint a few hours every day.
Every day, it seems, Sara picks a new color palette. Last week, yellows and pinks.

This week: greens and blues.

And today, a bit o' purple:

book launch recap!

2009-07-31T17:56:00.000-07:00

monday monday

2009-07-27T10:08:00.000-07:00

Sara Grace played four shows last week...and still got to the studio to paint. (Now I feel like a real slacker!)
Ray & Brian spent all morning making one-of-a-kind posters for the book launch this Wednesday. Consider this your invitation!

blue day

2009-07-23T15:23:00.000-07:00

(brian's new work, including that bright blue-green)

ray still sewing, with blue sleeping bag (aka the nap station)

blue bits in one of brian's small collages

bright blue ink in angela & wilson's wedding invitation (design by may day studio, but beautiful artwork by nikki mcclure)

the inspiration: sara was working with a brilliant blue-green yesterday!

more sara grace works-in-progress

like coming out of the sea!

Sneak peek into Bitter Ink

2009-07-22T11:52:00.000-07:00

makin' change

2009-07-20T17:58:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile...but we're still here!

Sara Grace has taken up residence in the gallery for the summer--working on art and music. Here's her worktable today:

Brian's cousin Ray is in town for the release of their book! Bitter Ink:

Brian + Ray sewing the books together

Stay tuned for a Book Release Party announcement! And hey, be our friend on facebook!

shrunken heads

2009-04-14T07:44:00.001-07:00

experiments with shrinky dink...i've been using the encyclopaedia anatomica as an anatomy guide, beautiful wax sculptures. watching these in the oven is quite fun..

Sketchies

2009-03-18T19:57:00.000-07:00

Here's some pics of a mock up installation and some sketches of a show i hope to have sometime soon. yay for color and warm spring energy!

LaNdScaPe

2009-03-04T17:23:00.001-08:00

Here's a little color to balance out the gray of early spring. The studio is hopping, Kelly is about to get and intern and Brian is hard at work on making big drawings for his MFA program. More pics and notes soon!

Dirty Pillows

2009-02-24T19:32:00.001-08:00

A new little sculpture project!

Monday Monday

2009-02-16T20:12:00.000-08:00

Spent the evening with Kelly working away in the studio. Too sleepy to say much..enjoy the color!

Kitchen Table

2009-02-12T11:54:00.001-08:00

Bust day at the kitchen table, enjoy!

D-D-D-Dance!

2009-02-10T05:39:00.000-08:00

DJ Ta$temaker is playing at our sister site, Lamb Abby, this Saturday, Valentines Day!

Etsy Madness

2009-02-09T06:39:00.000-08:00

I joined Etsy this week and that means that all of us at Fort Can can now be found with little on-line shops! Still learning the ropes, but it's been empowering and fun. Kelly called to let me know I wound up on the "front page" just three days after we stared. Sweet! Go Fort Can!

BK Knights

2009-02-02T07:15:00.000-08:00

Kelly and Brian have been hard at work in their wonderful ways. It's great to walk into the studio and see the press all inked up and new paintings on brian's "platform." Sharing studio space really motivates me, nobody wants to be empty handed for our occasional show 'n tells! the last pic from japan show, yippie!

LadyMen

2009-02-02T07:12:00.000-08:00

New little Lady Men, should I keep calling all the dolls Frenemies? They are starting to morph into something different. I'm starting an Etsy shop this week, stay tuned!

Independent Ladies

2009-01-26T07:13:00.000-08:00

this is a shout out to my girl, kelly. thanks for standing in the doorway with me and talking about girl stuff, a lady needs her ladies! oxox

Druid Boy

2009-01-26T07:07:00.001-08:00

I finished another inflatable creature yesterday, this one is kinda big, yay! I'm working on painting it and figuring out how to stabilize it, my sewing skills are still pretty primitive. here's to learning how to do things you thought you couldn't!

International Cell Phone Love

2009-01-26T07:03:00.000-08:00

I just got some cell phone pics of the Hanna Wall/Gallery show, it went up this past week. it was the first show i didn't hang myself! more pics and exciting info to come.

The Re-Store Show

2009-01-26T06:49:00.000-08:00

Our show is up at the new Re-Store located at 34 Granite Street in Barre. We are so happy the Re-Store is open again, it is our favorite place for awesome, hard to find and cheap art making supplies. a great DIY ethic and ten bucks will take you far, so go visit! Opening TBA.

Inflate!

2009-01-22T06:18:00.000-08:00

I made my first test inflatable last night, i'll be trying again tonight, yay! Stay tuned for more new work by Kelly and Brian.

Frenemy USA

2009-01-20T06:41:00.001-08:00

Brian and I (Tara) are getting ready for a show at the new Re-Store, now located in Barre VT. I've made a new batch of Frenemies just for the occasion! More info coming soon.....

Inaugural Ball Poster

2009-01-18T07:22:00.000-08:00

Brian, Kelly and I tag teamed a poster for an upcoming Inaugural Ball at Lamb Abby..come celebrate!

Hanna Gallery

2009-01-16T06:03:00.000-08:00

My tiny show in Tokyo is almost dawning! Currently, Mumbleboy, an artist from Portland, Oregon, is occupying the window/wall gallery. The show is titled Frenemie Glen, learn more here.

Montpelier Times-Argus!

2009-01-15T18:29:00.001-08:00

Brian and I enjoyed some friendly press from a local photographer. part of the perks of having your studio also be a community-share-agriculture drop...you never know who'll show up!

T 2009

2009-01-12T09:00:00.000-08:00

So far 2009 has ruled! i got to see the Sol Lewitt show at Mass MOCA with my brother and JB, and interviewed by Fuel T.V. wow. The frenemies should arrive in Japan tomorrow. Onwards!

Brian 2009

2009-01-12T08:51:00.000-08:00

Brian (and Linda) just had a baby, Emmanuel! On Christmas! Yowzer! Brain also had huge success with all his shows in Montpelier, best wish 2009 bro!

Kelly 2009!

2009-01-12T08:41:00.001-08:00

Kelly has been accepted to the sweet on-line market place Poppytalk, we all wish her well and excited to see what else 2009 brings her way!

Die-Or-Ahhhh-Mah

2008-12-28T22:21:00.000-08:00

Music currently being played at the studio: deee-lite, the smiths, the beach boys.
The diorama is coming together! yippie!

Doll Face

2008-12-28T15:24:00.000-08:00

These babies are on their way to Tokyo soon! More photos and updates soon...i'm in "life finals." Oh...Happy new baby Brian and Linda!

Just the 3 of Us

2008-12-12T07:06:00.000-08:00

Brian continues to discover painting and creatures...

The 24 Karrot Crew now have their own blog!

Kelly continues to do amazing things with amazing paper. Don't forget to catch her and her fine wares at a local craft show!

Worth A Thousand Words

2008-12-08T22:14:00.001-08:00

I love my studio mates and the great work they do!

In a Pickle

2008-12-08T06:34:00.000-08:00

Late night last night, but the reward of waking up with a bunch of stuffed pickles and strawberries was nice. Back to the studio today to get ready for my Wed. visit from Chris Thompson, the curator for the Fire House Gallery in Burlington. Check back later for some sneak peaks at what Brian and Kelly are up to!

Long Tired Day

2008-12-06T20:20:00.000-08:00

At home doing dishes after a long day of painting, sewing and silk screening. Missing Kelly and Brian at the Studio. Played R. Kelly loud to keep the ghosts away. sweet dreams.

Farm Stand Frenzy

2008-12-05T08:03:00.000-08:00

As for me, the Karrot dolls are behaving themselves outside of house: they finally made it to the studio! I'm finishing up some stackable build-your-own ice cream blocks and then onto a Baker's Dozen: 24 little egg dolls. I think that I'm going to turn my cast of trippy dolls and objects into a farm stand installation. It seems Vermont has gotten the best of me!

Go Mayday!

2008-12-05T07:49:00.000-08:00

Kelly has been working hard and making beautiful things. (As Usual!) She will be selling her wares this Saturday, December 6th at: Paper & Chocolate: an Albertine Press + Taza Chocolate Event. Featuring May Day Studio,(aka Kelly) Carta Inc., Beck Wasilewski, Pressbound and more. Check it out from 10 am until 6 pm<---note extended hours! 561 Windsor Street, Somerville, MA (between Inman and Union Squares) If you're looking for something local, Kelly will be in Burlington next weekend, more details to come!

Zeigler Attack

2008-12-05T07:32:00.000-08:00

Brian is holding down Montpelier's art scene with three shows on tonight's First Friday Art Walk. He's featuring recession rates on his wonderful art, as well as just plain affordable prices for rad drawings. You can see him and all his stylish glory from 5 to 8 P.M tonight at the new Men's Store on State Street! His work is also at Black Sheep Books and City Hall. Go Brian! (And thanks for bringing me a single spool of thread!) P.S Brian just got accepted to Vermont College of Fine Arts, so give him a high-five!

Count Down to Daylight

2008-12-02T07:08:00.000-08:00

I needed an excuse to eat candy during all these dark mornings...so here's to advent calenders. This one is modeled after the one I grew up with. Only 19 more days till the sunlight starts coming back. Hang on!

Psychedelic Morning

2008-12-01T10:27:00.001-08:00

How do you know when a project is done? Does the painting or object tell you? Is being sick of it means for ending? This morning found me sewing mushroom stems and wishing for an advent calender. I feel like i am in a race with no finish line!

Hourly Wage

2008-11-30T20:03:00.001-08:00

Simmer encouraged me to charge more for my art today. I thought for the first time what it might be like to assign an hourly wage for my work. clocking in to make art? i was instantly appalled. but am i foolish not to? Here are some pics of todays Mushroom Doll Groove!

Earthly Delights

2008-11-28T07:03:00.000-08:00

Oh Karrots. Who knew twenty four was a magic, and time consuming, number? This weekend I'll be trying out patterns for the next round of dolls: 'Shrooms. That's right: mushrooms! I heard a theory yesterday that human evolved out of apes eating mushrooms. Cheers!

24 Karrots

2008-11-25T19:22:00.000-08:00

The gangs all here! I am finally done stuffing the new 24 Karrots Gang! (With some help from JB.) Each karrot is going to have three leaves, two goog00-ly eyes and a zodiac medallion. Each will come named and with a short bio. Yay! It feels satisfying to work with sculpture: to create a physical form. An idea occupying a three dimensional space. I talk to my dolls, they are my friends. And so are you.

painted cakes

2008-11-16T21:38:00.001-08:00

tonight i had the idea to create "grief cakes," little cakes in bright colors that would help celebrate those transitional times of death, loss and aloneness. above are my first two. i was surprised how much they look like brian's new "painterly" style. go team.

2008-10-29T16:24:00.000-07:00

Dale from Tick Tick and Ryan power came to the studio today to work on Ryan's record album art for Is It Happening. Awesome to have friends down from Burlington, reading comic books and listening to Coast to Coast AM while it snows. Kelly finshed printing the proof for our artsy, musical neighbor Duffy and his digs, Lamb Alley.

2008-10-27T07:38:00.001-07:00

Getting ready for Halloween! Almost done the biggest painting ever! I already picked out colors for my next one, so I know it's close! whahahahah!

2008-10-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

hello! it's been a while since i posted, but lots going on! Brian is getting ready for his show,Skeletal Aspirations OPENING ON NOV.1st, 7PM at Fort Can, with DJ John Brinker playing dance tunes. Dress up and costumes encouraged, as the first is the Day of the Dead! Also, Kelly will be hosting a informational talk on choosing the right paper for your printing needs this Saturday, October 25th, also at Fort Can. For more information visit www.maydaystudio.blogspot.com! I am preparing some plush art and such for a trip to Hanna Gallery in Tokyo, as i spent the sixth hour at the sewing machine i thought: "hey, don't i like to paint?" So it goes. Happy late October!

2008-09-30T06:23:00.000-07:00

Great weekend at the studio! Kelly (aka May Day Studio) and Eva had wonderful open house/reception events. I even got to try my hand at the Vandercook which I've seen Kelly work tirelessly all summer...and it was awesome! Eva's show, Mild to Extra Spicy had a wonderful turn-out. Kelly, Brian and I all got to sit for a group portrait at the start of the day, nice way to wake up with friends.
Fall is upon us, nothing out my window for the past four days except brilliant purple-gray skies and red, yellow and orange leaves. Drawing witches, pumpkins, ice cream...and of course the old stand by icon: pizza. That's it for now, stay tunned.

2008-09-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

2008-09-06T21:02:00.000-07:00

Looks like Brian is up to something big.....

I had a blast at last night's opening/Art Hop at the Pursuit Gallery in Burlington. Nothing like a night of spending time with friends and tons of art to get you motivated. Some paintings i'm trying to finish up...

Eva began her show today! The gallery space looks great, it's nice to see the walls be taken over by another artistic presence. kelly printed the posters, here's a look:

2008-09-04T07:36:00.000-07:00

new show coming up!
Mild to Extra-Spicy,
An exhibit of portraits, drawings and found objects by Eva Schectman

Fort Can Gallery & Studios

September 1 - 30, 2008

Gallery Hours: Saturdays, 10am-2pm or by appointment

Reception: Saturday, September 27, 3-5pm - check out the May Day Studio
letterhead press while you're there!

for more information: evasicons.blogspot.com

2008-08-28T08:41:00.000-07:00

Plans are in the works for our friend and local artist Eva Helene (www.evasicons.blogspot.com) to do a show in the gallery for the month of September. We are looking for folks to do shows in October....November....ect. To check out the gallery and get more info stop by Fort Can at 190 River Street in Montpelier! Here's some recent shots of ongoings and such:

2008-08-25T12:15:00.000-07:00

Spent the weekend at the Bremmentown Carnival in South Glover, Vermont. Hand powered circus rides, beautiful skies and big smiles all around. Lots of fun and interesting-interactive art!

2008-08-21T06:58:00.000-07:00

Clark Derbis was at the studio with me yesterday. We spent fourteen hours working on some pieces for an upcoming group show at the Pursuit Gallery in Burlington. The show, titled: In & Out & Over, will be up during this years Art Hop on September 5&6, and for the rest of the month.

2008-08-19T06:44:00.000-07:00

As usual things are busy at the Fort: Brian is hard at work preparing for a upcoming show at City Hall. It is inspiring to watch his "drawings" evolve from watercolor washes into full illustrations. We recently talked about drawing vs. painting and what role those genres have in our art making. We agreed that although we use paint, we are not "painters." We employ paint the way we might utilize a pen or a highlighter. We draw with the paint. It feels important to maintain the idea and identity of being someone who draws. Drawing is our first artistic love, our most primal mode of creating. We both grew up being asked to draw cartoons on the bus for other kids and filling up reams of computer paper with fantastical symbols. This rudimentary drive still rears its head in our adult life. To see more of Brian's work check out www.brianzeigler.com!

Over at May Day Studios Kelly is printing beautiful, classy invites for this year's Wazygoose: a four day letterpress event held in West Springfield,Mass. Kelly's work on the press always blows me away. Her sense of style and design is at once perfect and heartbreaking, sweet & searing. She is the only person I know that can devastate my heart with the placement of a single quotation mark. The power of something well placed, the erotics of something just-so, this is what I think about as I see Kelly work hard in her apron and clogs, fingers kissed blue-black from handling type and machinery. May Day Studios, Kelly's printing and bookbinding business, was the spring-bord for Fort Can. In need of a space to put her expanding business/craft I told her I'd be happy to rent a corner or a closet if the right space came along....and now here we are: three artists strong with a gallery and a bathroom sink we can get paint on and not worry about. To learn more about May Day Studios and Kelly visit www.maydaystudio.com!

As for me, I'm busy painting giant pieces of stuffed pizza...and working on a toy Creemie Stand run by ice cream on acid...and getting ready for a group show at the Pursuit Gallery in Burlington (www.pursuitgallery.com) ...and trying to make the perfect pair of acid wash jeans. Love, love, love!

2008-08-12T07:20:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all those who made it out to our first opening! Stay tuned for more events!

2008-08-12T06:54:00.000-07:00

2008-08-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

STAMINA, a 24 hr. drawing/installation is now compleate!
Come celebrate Sat. Aug 9th. 6-10 PM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-07-31T06:49:00.000-07:00

Fort Can Gallery & Studios

Fort Can Gallery was founded in partnership with May Day Studios in July of 2008. Featuring installation art, musical happenings and month long artist residencies, Fort Can was named in tribute to childhood hideouts and military training grounds. The gallery is open Saturdays from 10:00AM to 1:00PM and by appointment: (802) 505-0714.

Fort Can
The Name:

Fort Can is a place. Named in reference to the location of the gallery: between the Trading Post and the railroad tracks, Fort Can stands watch where Montpelier’s Southern Industrial zone gives way to the country side. Outside of residential neighborhoods and downtown restrictions, each artist feels the space allows them to filter the facets of adult life unnecessary for sustained artistic creation.

Similar to tree houses and pillow huts, the studios and gallery serve as a site where the typical rules of professional and adult life are temporarily absolved. Childishly, when Jensen moved into her studio she couldn’t stop yelling: “ I can do anything I want here!” That “Can” became a metaphor for freedom and self-determination.

Despite the discipline and commitment it takes to practice any given art daily, the creative process validates the belief that change is possible and that art may sustain life. Taking an active role in determining the quality of life, Fort Can says: “You CAN do this! We CAN do this! It CAN happen!”

Strengthening and invigorating, Fort Can trains artists working to find a personal relationship to the meaning of artisan

Fort Can Gallery
The Reception:

‘STAMINA’
Brian Zeigler and Tara Jensen
An installation completed by Zeigler and Jensen during a twenty-four hour drawing marathon. Explores time, endurance and the meaning of life. Featuring a Q&A with the artists and DJ John Brinker.
Saturday, August 9th 6-10 PM