WUHS artists featured in Vermont's 250th anniversary exhibition
Eight WUHS artists are currently showing their work in Unfinished Revolutions, the Vermont 250th Art Exhibition on display at the State House Cafeteria Gallery in Montpelier. We're proud to have so many of our students represented in this statewide celebration of Vermont art.
Our artists: Calvin Lehouiller, Charleigh Parker, Matilda Richardson, Broder White, Agnes Kardashian, Adelle Danilchick, Zara Paczkowski, and Daxton Redmond.
The exhibit is free and open to the public weekdays from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. through March 27.
Up to three works will be selected by the Vermont State Curator for permanent inclusion in the Vermont State Art Collection — a remarkable honor for any young artist. Selections will be announced at the Closing Reception on March 26, 3:30–5:30 p.m. Come see our students’ work on display at the State House.
My unfinished revolution focuses on the ongoing challenge of retaining people in Vermont, especially young adults who have their entire futures ahead of them. Many young people are leaving Vermont in search of better opportunities elsewhere. This issue matters deeply to my generation because choosing to stay can help strengthen Vermont’s declining workforce and support essential public services such as schools and healthcare both of which are vital to the well-being of our communities. This piece serves as a call to action, encouraging younger generations in Vermont to invest their futures in the state rather than looking elsewhere.
I chose to express my vision through strong visual symbolism. The image of a car driving away past a “Leaving Vermont” sign represents the growing number of residents moving out of the state. The car has a Vermont license plate to emphasize that the driver is a lifelong Vermonter, and a University of Vermont sticker to show that they pursued higher education in-state. In the distance, a city skyline symbolizes their destination and the promise of “better opportunities.”
- Tilly Richardson
“My unfinished revolution is about the ongoing decline of Vermont’s moose population. Shorter winters have allowed winter tick numbers to rise, especially in areas with high moose density. A single moose can carry up to 90,000 ticks, leading to severe illness and often death. This crisis matters because moose are an essential part of Vermont’s ecosystem. If left unchecked, tick populations will continue to grow, and Vermont will continue to lose its moose.”
- Agnes Kardashian
“My unfinished revolution focuses on mental health in Vermont. Teens in particular have been increasingly affected by mental health struggles, leading to rising rates of depression and suicide.
My artwork portrays how overwhelming it can feel to face your own mind. It shows how small and helpless these struggles can make a person feel - as if there is no escape. I used dark tones and a shadowed theme to create a mood that reflects depression and emotional weight. The large, dark figure in the center symbolizes the power of the mind and how massive an obstacle it can become at times.
I hope my audience feels the heavy, ominous atmosphere of the piece. I want viewers to gain a sense of what it is like for those who battle mental health challenges in silence. That idea of struggling unseen is why I chose to title my work Shadows.”
— Calvin Lehouiller