The Art of Action
(Ideas + Action = Change)

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The Art of Action project was initially conceived and funded by Lyman Orton and Janice Izzi with further direction and management from the Vermont Arts Council. A public art competition was initiated in the fall of 2008. The guiding concept was that artists should have a say in exploring the future of their communities and their states. The artists would serve to "communicate in the universal language of human emotion" through the expression of their own art.

After a competitive selection process involving more than 300 aspirants, the final group of 10 artists were presented with the challenge to imagine the future of the State of Vermont through their own voices, styles and art. With input from the Council on the Future of Vermont and many other sources, a body of work consisting of over 100 pieces was created and assembled. The work was then sent out to tour and be exhibited throughout the State. It was to be shown in both traditional (galleries and art centers) as well as non-traditional venues. These included many downtown storefronts and community centers where the population might not otherwise come in contact with art. All this was focused toward the goal of interacting with and engaging everyday Vermonters to consider and think about the future of their State.