In March of 2021, Fairlee Community Arts applied for an Animating Infrastructures Grant through the Vermont Arts Council to support public art in the I-91 underpass at Exit 15.
Animating Infrastructure grants support community projects that integrate art with infrastructure. Through this program, the Council strives to demonstrate the positive impact of art in helping communities meet goals of livability, walkability, safety, economic vitality, and community vibrancy, and to support the creation of unique infrastructure projects where function and art are one and the same.
Fairlee’s proposal was one of five projects awarded grant funding. The Vermont Arts Council gave FCA $15,000 to support the design and installation of public art that will transform an interstate underpass into a welcoming setting that connects commerce and outdoor recreation assets.
FCA solicited contributions and received proposals from thirteen artists: The Proposals
From these thirteen FCA chose Matt Heywood. See his proposal here: The Green Man and the Snow Sister
We negotiated with the Vermont Agency of Transportation over the next year or so. Installation was complicated by the ongoing work on the I-91 bridge decking.
FCA held several events designed to bring the community into the process : Painting events
Finally, in September 2024 we installed the first mural, The Snow Sister.
See a slideshow of the creation
The second mural will be installed in the autumn of 2025 when VTrans has finished the bridge repair on the southbound side of the Interstate.
Many thanks to the Fairlee Fire Department, Samuel Morey and Westshire students, Rivendell students, Aloha campers, Cami Buster, Elizabeth Wilson, Kristen Post, Chris Clemson, Vicki Kirchner, Peter Lange, Aletta Traendly, Palma Jorgensen, Calista Diane, Jack (who happened to be staying at Lake Morey Resort and came over to help), former town administrator Tad Nunez who saw us through every step of the of the permitting process and everyone in the town offices.
Thanks also to the Vermont Council for the Arts and all the donors – Fogg’s Hardware (Bethel Mills) for the donations of materials and the individuals who donated through our crowd funding program.
And finally we have to thank VTrans, because though as an agency they can be frustrating at times we know everyone there just has public safety at heart.
