WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Student art exhibit

Castleton, Vermont - February 18, 2011

It is not a rare sight to find Gabrielle Brooks drawing in the art room at Castleton State College or even just doodling in the margins of her notebook.

"I've always known I have wanted to do something with art," she said.

Brooks is a sophomore at CSC, pursuing a degree in Art Therapy. And like most of her creative pieces, her inspiration for this career path came from her everyday life.

"About four almost five years ago my little cousin got sick with cancer. Her favorite part of being in the hospital was the art therapy and arts and crafts. Seeing the smile that that put on her face, and how much joy that part of the day brought her when she was in the hospital-- that is when I decided that is what I want to do," Brooks said.

Brooks is one of the 30 artists featured in a first-of-its-kind exhibit at the Chaffee Art Center. Her piece is a "Where's Waldo"-inspired drawing with a local spin.

"We have our annual student art show every year and that is just kindergarten through 12th grade. We have never had a chance to have college students be a part of any exhibit," said Jessica Kaminski of the Chaffee Art Center.

The idea for the exhibit originated at CSC but the art center opened the exhibit to all Vermont undergrad students across the state.

"It was just a great concept to show off what Vermont can do and that we can all come together and show all different types of art work," Brooks said.

"Having a college student show is great because you see them in their experimental stage. There is a lot of experimenting and new work maybe you would not see with artists that are established," Kaminski said.

The show features artwork in all mediums, from life-like sketches to fantasy inspired paintings and three-dimensional sculptures. The show portrays the talent of a generation right here in our backyard, which is where show coordinators sourced their inspiration for the exhibit's name: Made in Vermont.

"That is something I was going for was to have that stamp and that seal of quality like something that would be made in Vermont," Kaminski said.

A glance into the work of artists inspiring a future generation.

The show runs through March 12 at the Chaffee Art Center and most of the pieces on display are up for sale.

Molly Smith - WCAX News - Made in Vermont