Vermont Travel Notes

The Vermont Craft Council, an association of several hundreds craftspeople throughout the state, started the Open Studio Weekend 16 years ago as a way to increase awareness of the craft-making community.

It's easy now to not only see the scale of the craft industry here, but also the deep wealth of skill right here in our little 'ol state. The trees, farms, and mountains are beautiful but they can overshadow a great supply of talented people here sometimes.

This year's Open Studio Weekend is taking place Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25. It's a great time to see both studios that are open frequently to the public and also the "off the beaten path" studios that are rarely open to visitors.

There is an incredibly detailed Open Studio guide and map guide on the Vermont Craft Council website. Some 250 studios will be open on the weekend. Let me emphasize that this is not people making flea market junk. These are first rate craftspeople. For example, take a look at the Studio and Gallery page on the Craft Council's website.

If you don't want to print a lot pages from the website, you have enough time to order the complete tour guide free by US Postal mail. Just click here. It will also be available at most of the studios and also the state's official welcome centers on the highways and main roads leading into the state.

It's a great time to visit. Everything here will be fresh and green, the daytime temperatures will be warm and the night time cool.

(c) 2008 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn