For Immediate Release: September 11, 2019
Contact: Susan Strano, Marketing Director
sstrano@benningtonmuseum.org
802-447-1571 ext. 204
Image: Socializing with Friends
Join Us to Honor Award Recipients
Every year Bennington Museum honors people who have shown great dedication to the Museum, the Bennington community, and surrounding towns. This year, the Fall Social and Awards Presentation will be held on Friday, October 4 from 5:00 to 7:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to come together, recognize and honor people who have made, and continue to make, major contributions to the region. There will be food and drink and plenty of time to socialize. Reservations are required by September 27 and can be made by calling 802-447-1571 ext. 200 or by going online to store.benningtonmuseum.org $20/Museum Members; $30/Not-Yet-Members. Become a Museum member the evening of this event (in person) and save 10% on the first year of any membership. For Monument Society Members, this event is free!
Our Honorees
It is our pleasure to recognize Greg Van Houten, this year’s Walloomsac Society Award recipient, and the Volunteers of the George Aiken Wildflower Trail, recipients of the General Stark Society Award.
Walloomsac Society Award
This year the Walloomsac Society Award, presented annually since 1991 and given for significant contributions to the community in the field of art, history, or education, will be presented to Greg Van Houten. Van Houten arrived in Bennington in 1991 to work as a lithographer in the offset printing industry. Since 2007, he has been owner and president of GVH Studio, a large format graphic fabrication company that serves clients throughout the tri-state area and specializes in cultural and historical reproductions, project design, and consultation. He donates, advocates, and volunteers for art projects throughout the community and across the arts spectrum. He has served on the board of the Better Bennington Corporation, The Cultural Bennington Planning Committee, and Bennington Area Arts Council where he oversaw the semi-annual EXPOSION! event that gathered area arts organizations together to share the roll-out of their new seasons. He was instrumental in creating the impetus for the Bennington County Cultural Plan that was recently published. Van Houten was a member of Bennington’s Select Board from 2012 to 2015 serving as chair in 2014-2015. He currently serves on the Board of Commissioners for the Bennington County Regional Commission (BCRC).
A life-long visual and performing artist, Van Houten attended Syracuse University School of Visual and Performing Arts, as well as The School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. He performs musically as ‘GVH’ and has recently released an album of 17 original songs recorded at Akin Studio in Hoosick Falls featuring local musicians and engineers. He resides in Bennington with his partner, Jane Disanto.
General Stark Society Award
The General Stark Society Award, presented annually since 1982, is given in recognition of outstanding service to Bennington Museum. This year, it is being awarded to the George Aiken Wildflower Trail (GAWT) volunteers. The beautiful Hadwen Woods and Wildflower Trail adjacent to the Bennington Museum are used as a learning laboratory featuring plant identification markers, printed information about individual plants, and educational programming for children and adults. Trail volunteers have been an active part of the Museum for over twelve years. Last year, Bennington Museum needed to remove many diseased trees in order to preserve the healthier specimens and to keep our trails safe and open to the public. This year fourteen dedicated individuals went above and beyond what normal circumstances might require, committing more than 400 cumulative hours to the restoration and maintenance of the Wildflower Trail. “They have been invaluable in getting our natural-scape back in order by recreating pathways, continuing to clear non-native and invasive vegetation, and re-planting or nurturing many of the hundreds of species that make up the flora sub-base. It is because of their efforts that our trails are tidy, welcoming, and accessible today.” states Alexina Jones, Acting Director of Operations at the Museum. Those being honored are Jackie Marro, Tony Marro, Ray Bolton, Jon Goodrich, Heather Hamilton, Liz Luca, Edd Lyon, Doug Mears, Don Miller, Jane Moriarty, Carolyn Plage, Mary Rogers, Don Trachte, and Consie West.
Join us in celebrating the commitment and dedication of these award recipients. Call or write today to make your reservation.
About the Museum
Bennington Museum is located at 75 Main Street (Route 9), Bennington, in The Shires of Vermont. The museum is open daily June through October, 10 am to 5 pm. and is wheelchair accessible. Regular admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and students over 18. Admission is never charged for younger students, Museum members, or to visit the Museum Store. Visit the Museum’s website www.benningtonmuseum.org or call 802-447-1571 for more information.