WEST BRATTLEBORO — An exhibit of works by many area artists, collected by Joy Wallens-Penford, will be on view at All Souls Church in the West Village Meeting House in West Brattleboro starting Sunday, July 17, from noon to 2 p.m.
There will be an opportunity for the community to acquire items through botha silent and a live auction, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 6. The silent auction's three-weeks-long preview will end at that time.
Offering something for everyone, more than 55 works in a wide variety of styles and media will be auctioned - 35 from Wallens-Penford's collection and over 20 appealing works from other private collectors. Wallens-Penford's items are offered as a celebration of her broad contribution to the arts in Windham County.
Proceeds from the auction will help Pave the Way to the West Village Meeting House - a project to pave All Souls' long and winding dirt driveway.
Among the area artists represented are Tim Allen, Karen Becker, Bruce Berg, Scott Borofsky, Susan Bull Riley, Barbara Baker Bury, Josh Bernbaum, Stuart Copans, Maisie Crowther, Trudy Crites, Bob George, William Hays, Wolf Kahn, Susan McDormand, Larry Richardson, Kate Spencer, Tashua Tudor, and Nancy Waterhouse, as well as artists from other places who have a connection to southern Vermont.
Works by artists from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Central America are also included. Some of the artisan items available for bid are an Arts and Crafts lamp, an Oriental rug, and a cherry side table with ebony details.
Wallens-Penford, who died from cancer in 2020 at the age of 72, was a member of All Souls Church and organized art shows there for many years. She also coordinated Brattleboro's monthly Gallery Walk for almost 20 years, worked at the Yellow Barn Music Festival in Putney, and served as administrative director of Friends of Music at Guilford. Her husband, John Penford, donated her art collection to benefit All Souls Church.
The public is invited to preview the auction and honor Wallens-Penford's memory on three Sundays: July 17, 24, and 31, from noon to 2 p.m., and by appointment at 802-254-9377. A reception will be held during those hours on Sunday, July 24. The exhibit is at All Souls Church, located in the West Village Meeting House, off Western Avenue, at 29 South Street. Selected images and a complete list of works to be auctioned are available at ascvt.org.
The auction is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 6, from 2 to 4 p.m., with the live auction starting at 2:30 p.m., and the silent auction ending at 3:30 p.m. For more information, contact All Souls' office at 802-254-9377.