Press

LUDLOW, Vt. – This summer marks the 70th Anniversary of the Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts. The picturesque Fletcher Farm campus lies along Route 103 in Vermont’s Black River Valley between Ludlow and Proctorsville. Since its inception, the Fletcher Farm School has offered thousands of classes in traditional and emerging arts and crafts, many led by world-class artists.

As arts programs lose funding in the educational system, the importance of a vital resource like the School increases. Besides providing the basic skills in the arts and crafts taught there, instructors provide historical background and strive to link them to contemporary culture. Students are invited to explore their creativity and are given support in this endeavor by nationally renowned instructors.

One of those renowned instructors is Vermont’s own Peter Huntoon. Peter Huntoon has been painting professionally since 1994. A lifelong passion for art and his native state of Vermont are evident in his work.

His distinctive award-winning paintings feature innovative color, strong composition, and enthusiastic brushwork. Educated in Vermont and Colorado Huntoon received his BA in Art from Castleton University. He has studied and painted with many contemporary masters, including Frank Webb, Zoltan Szabo, Cheng Kee Chee, Stephen Quiller, Robert Burridge, Robert Sydorowhich, Mark Boedges, and Mike Svob. For over 20 years Peter held the position of Color Group Manager for Sto Corp, the world leader in architectural coatings. He is a founding member of the Vermont Watercolor Society.

At 11:30 a.m. on July 1, during the 70th Anniversary Festival, Fletcher Farm School will present its first Robert Frost Award for excellence in artistry and art education to Peter Huntoon. Robert Frost was an honored member of the original Board of Directors the Fletcher Farm Foundation. Everyone is invited to join the festival and to watch Peter demonstrate his watercolor painting.